He toka aumihi aroha he toka aumihi rongomau

I te ao i te pō, i te pō i te ao

Toitū te Waiora has acknowledged the mahi of MQS, part of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), for the integral part they recently played in reviewing our cultural capability skill standards within the Health & Wellbeing skill standard development project.

National Engagement Manager Hera Williams says, ‘We began developing a relationship with MQS about a year ago and are extremely grateful to Kaiarahi Team Leader Mereana Su. Mereana has provided Toitū te Waiora with her incredible matauranga, wisdom and guidance towards all things Māori. This included the review of the draft cultural capability skill standards to ensure they were appropriate and fit for purpose.’

These are the first cultural capability skill standards of their kind that have been developed by Toitū te Waiora and required expert peer review. They are expected to be submitted to NZQA for approval before Toitū te Waiora is disestablished on 31 December 2025.

Hera says, ‘As a result of the relationship formed between MQS and Toitū te Waiora, we were privileged to be able to give back and participate in their recent Tiaki Mokopuna qualification review, a suite of early childhood education (ECE) qualifications being converted from unit standards to skill standards. The review was to ensure the needs and aspirations of whānau, hapu, iwi and hapori continue to be met. We were able to draw on our learnings and relationships within the ECE National Industry Advisory Group (NIAG) and help inform the MQS review.

At Toitū te Waiora, we have worked hard to build, foster, connect and maintain strong relationships and partnerships. Our relationship with MQS is just one example of this and we’re grateful for everything we’ve been able to achieve together.’