As you’ll see in this update below, Toitū te Waiora has got a full work programme and are committed to delivering this by December 2025. At that point, we’ll be handing over our functions to the new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs).

In case you are still getting to grips with the Vocational Education and Training (VET) reform programme, you can read more about it on the Tertiary Education Commission’s (TEC) website.

The Vocational Education and Training Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament on the 20th of May. The bill is a key step to implementing the Government’s VET reforms. You are now able to make a written submission on the Bill. The Select Committee is due to report it back to the House by 21 September 2025. Toitū te Waiora will be making a detailed submission in due course.

Consultation on the proposed model for the number and coverage groupings for ISBs recently closed and we expect the TEC will announce final decisions some time in July. A set of FAQs are available on the TEC website, based on questions asked at their various webinars during the consultation period.

The TEC is still inviting industries to nominate representatives to help establish the ISBs and nominations close on 13 June. The Establishment Advisory Groups (EAGs) will be stood up once decisions on the number and coverage of ISBs are made. The EAGs will be responsible for ensuring each ISB can successfully stand up on day one.

It was great to see those of you at the recent ITENZ roadshows across the country. Together with members of the other Workforce Development Councils, we were able to provide an overview of the VET reform programme and what this means for you – our stakeholders and providers.

We’ll be providing you with a monthly update until the end of 2025, to keep you better informed on the VET reforms as further information is made available to us.

Ngā mihi
Sean  McKinley

NZQA has now approved the New Zealand Certificate in Long-Term Health Conditions (Level 3, 55 credits). This was developed in collaboration with Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand, Diabetes New Zealand, the Heart Foundation and Arthritis NZ – Mateponapona Aotearoa.

This follows the development of five skill standards earlier this year to aid deeper understanding of common long-term health conditions, in partnership with the four charities. Toitū te Waiora will also seek NZQA approval for five micro-credentials by August 2025.

Work is well underway to develop new qualifications in Disability Support at Levels 3 and 4. Following the completion of our initial public consultation, we’ve established the Disability Support Consultation Group – a rōpū of subject matter experts from across the sector, including those with lived experience.

Guided by the insights gathered and grounded in sector knowledge, we’ve been focusing on drafting disability-specific skill standards at Level 3. Work on Level 4 will begin in the coming weeks, and we remain on track to release the first tranche of draft skill standards for public feedback on our website by late June.

The New Zealand Certificate of Public Health and Health Promotion Level 5 has been approved by NZQA, following a successful review by Toitū te Waiora. The updated qualification reflects the evolving needs of the sector and provides clear pathways for learners and workforce development. Read more here