Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Ten polytechnics will be re-established from 1 January 2026, restoring regional decision-making that supports strong communities and economic growth, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says.
“This is a major milestone in building a vocational education system that’s locally led, regionally responsive, and future focused. We’ve listened to extensive industry feedback and I’m confident our plan will set the sector up for long-term economic and learning success.
“We campaigned vigorously against Labour’s reforms which saw all New Zealand polytechnics merged into one unwieldy and uneconomic central institution, Te Pūkenga, taking away the ability of regions to respond to local training and employer needs.  
“Labour dismantled regionally-led vocational education – and we are restoring it,” Ms Simmonds says. 
The ten polytechnics returning to regional governance are:
 

Ara Institute of Canterbury (Ara)
Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT)
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)
Unitec Institute of Technology (Unitec) and Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), which will stand up as a single entity
Otago Polytechnic
Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

 
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand will be the anchor polytechnic of the new federation, which includes Otago Polytechnic and UCOL. The federation will coordinate programmes and other services, including shared academic boards. It will provide a low overhead way for polytechnics to create more efficient business models than they could on their own through the use of on online learning resources and programmes.
Four other polytechnics — NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), Whitireia Community Polytechnic and Wellington Institute of Technology (Whitireia and WelTec), and Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) — will remain within Te Pūkenga for now as they work toward viability, with decisions due in the first half of 2026.
These changes are part of legislation before Parliament. The Education and Workforce Select Committee is reviewing the Bill, which is expected to pass in October. The ten new polytechnics will begin operating from 1 January 2026.
“I want to thank everyone who made submissions. Your feedback helped shape a better way forward,” Ms Simmonds says.
Te Pūkenga will act as a transitional entity for up to a year to manage unallocated programmes and support a smooth handover. The legislation also allows mergers or closures if any polytechnic cannot achieve viability.
“With more than 250,000 students in the vocational education system each year, these changes offer greater flexibility, financial sustainability, and ensure training remains relevant to employment needs,” Ms Simmonds says.
“Industry will have a stronger role, communities will regain local control, and polytechnics will be financially sustainable.
“We’re rebuilding our incredibly important vocational education system so that it delivers — for students, for employers, and for the future of New Zealand.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are seeking Louis Pukeroa, who has a warrant for his arrest.

Pukeroa is believed to be actively evading Police and should not be approached.

If you have seen him please contact Police via 111 and quote file number 250701/1234.

Information after the fact should be provided via 105 using the same file number.

Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

On this page:

Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) must ensure that learners are eligible to be enrolled in DQ7-10 funded programmes.
Learner eligibility requirements 
Learner eligibility verification 
You must verify a learner’s eligibility for enrolment as a domestic learner. Specific verification methods and eligibility criteria can be found in the Funding Conditions Catalogue for the relevant year. 
Learner identity
For information on verification of learner identity requirements, see the DQ7-10 funding conditions for the relevant year.
Learners enrolled with more than one TEO
A learner may be concurrently enrolled at more than one TEO and therefore undertaking a high study load. While this is not prohibited, take care to identify these learners and ensure that they are supported to successfully complete their courses and qualifications.  
Literacy and numeracy requirements 
Learners should not be enrolled in a programme funded under DQ7-10 until their literacy and numeracy skills are sufficient for them to be successful. For example, until they present at Step 3 or higher on the Learning Progression Frameworks.
Learning Progression Frameworks – Ministry of Education.
Literacy and numeracy skills can be built through programmes funded under the Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund (ILN), the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund (WLN) and Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQCF (DQ1-2).
Definition of a domestic learner
For the duration of a learner’s enrolment in an eligible programme or micro-credential, you must ensure that DQ7-10 funding is only used for a learner who is a “valid domestic enrolment”. 
Valid domestic enrolment
For the purposes of DQ7-10 funding, the term “valid domestic enrolment” refers to the enrolment of a learner who meets the valid domestic enrolment conditions, see the DQ7-10 funding conditions for the relevant year. 
International learners defined as domestic learners 
The groups of learners enrolled with a TEO who are required to be treated as if they are not international learners are outlined in the Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2024 – New Zealand Gazette. 
Overseas study eligibility
Domestic learners studying overseas – intramurally
A domestic learner studying intramurally at an overseas campus or delivery site is still considered a valid domestic enrolment if they meet all the following criteria: 

Part (but not all) of the programme is undertaken outside of New Zealand.
The learner is enrolled at a New Zealand TEO in a programme leading to an award of a qualification or micro-credential at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. 
The study outside of New Zealand is full time and face-to-face (ie, is not extramural). 
The offshore campus is an approved delivery site under the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022 – NZQA.
The offshore campus is in an approved country on the Education New Zealand approved countries list (PDF 35 KB).
Meet additional criteria below, if learner is a New Zealand permanent resident, Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.

International learners who are defined as domestic learners under The Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2024 are included in the above settings.
Domestic learners studying overseas – extramurally
A domestic learner, that has already been deemed to be a valid domestic enrolment, can study extramurally outside of New Zealand, if all other funding conditions are met.
This includes meeting the additional criteria below, if the learner is a New Zealand permanent resident, Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.
Resources

Additional criteria for New Zealand permanent residents, Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents studying overseas
These learners must meet domestic enrolment conditions to be considered a domestic learner when studying overseas with a New Zealand TEO.
To be classified as a domestic learner, New Zealand permanent residents (NZPRs), Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents (APRs) studying outside New Zealand (enrolled with a New Zealand-based TEO) must meet the criteria set out in the Regulations:
Education (Tertiary Education – Criteria Permanent Residents Studying Overseas must Satisfy to be Domestic Students) Regulations 2016 
This includes that they must be ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
“Ordinarily resident” in New Zealand means the learner meets the “ordinarily resident test”, whereby they:

are lawfully able to reside in New Zealand 
normally reside in New Zealand, and intend to remain in New Zealand (ie, they consider New Zealand to be their home). 

A learner cannot be “ordinarily resident” in two countries at the same time.
To decide whether a learner meets the “ordinarily resident test”, use the Ministry of Social Development’s Guidelines:
Guidelines for deciding ordinarily resident – Work and Income
TEOs are responsible for ensuring that a learner meets the “ordinarily resident test” and is eligible to access tuition subsidy funding and study support. You may require NZPRs, APRs and Australian citizens intending to study part of a New Zealand qualification overseas to complete a declaration to confirm their unfamiliarity with the overseas country they intend to study in and provide evidence that they are ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
Note: We have not specified the amount and timing of the parts of the study to be completed in New Zealand and overseas. This is to allow you to best structure your delivery of the qualification.
For more details on valid enrolments and funding for study overseas see funding conditions for the relevant year.
Overseas travel
DQ7-10 funding can only be used to meet the cost of overseas travel for learners in exceptional circumstances where overseas travel is academically essential. For details on how to determine if overseas travel is academically essential, see the DQ7-10 funding conditions for the relevant year.
International learner eligibility
Enrolment of international students
If a learner is an international student, you should confirm that the learner is eligible to attend the TEO as an international student. 
You can do this by either:

sighting the learner’s passport and conducting a VisaView check (see “VisaView” below), or
sighting the learner’s passport with either:

a current student visa label or visa approval notification (see “Visa approval notification” below) – or in the case of a pathway student visa, the letter from Immigration New Zealand specifying the TEOs and courses the learner is eligible to attend, or
a current work visa label or visa approval notification with conditions that allow the learner to study (this relates to an international learner who has a practical component in their study programme), or
a current work or visitor visa label or visa approval notification if the learner is enrolling in a course of less than 12 weeks. For more information about work and visitor visas see Immigration New Zealand.

We recommend that you keep these records for your international learners to comply with the record-keeping requirements for tertiary education institutions (TEIs) in section 309 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and for registered private training establishments (PTEs) in section 361 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and under the NZQA Rules.
Section 309 of the Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation
Section 361 of the Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation
Visa approval notification
Immigration New Zealand is moving towards the use of label-less visas. The visa is recorded electronically in Immigration New Zealand’s system, so some learners will not have a visa label in their passport. Instead, a label-less visa approval notification is sent by email or letter to the learner.
Learners with label-less visas may therefore present their visa approval notification as evidence of their visa when they enrol with a TEO, and you can verify this using VisaView.
VisaView
A TEO can check whether a learner who is not a New Zealand citizen can study with them in New Zealand using the VisaView online enquiry system:
VisaView – Immigration New Zealand
For more information see the VisaView Guide for Education Providers. You can also contact Immigration New Zealand if you have questions.
VisaView Guide for Education Providers (PDF 663 KB)
If you have confirmed a learner’s eligibility via VisaView you are required to download and retain the VisaView record to comply with the funding conditions. 
International learners with domestic learner eligibility
Whether or not a learner is a domestic or international learner for the purposes of fees and TEC funding is determined by their status at the time of enrolment.
The Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice specifies that some learners who are not New Zealand citizens or residents must be treated as if they are domestic students.
Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2024 – New Zealand Gazette
A learner’s eligibility at the start of a course applies until the course ends.
Permanent residence status granted mid-way through study 
Domestic learner funding can be claimed for an international learner enrolling in courses that start after the learner is granted residency, whether in the same or a different qualification.
Whether or not a learner is a domestic or international learner for the purposes of fees and Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding is determined by their status at the time of enrolment.
A learner’s eligibility at the start of a course applies until the course ends.
The TEO must have obtained any necessary approvals for the enrolment of international students under the Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice – NZQA.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

On this page:

Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) must ensure that learners are eligible to be enrolled in DQ3-7 funded programmes.
Learner eligibility requirements 
Learner eligibility verification 
You must verify a learner’s eligibility for enrolment as a domestic learner. Specific verification methods and eligibility criteria can be found in the Funding Conditions Catalogue for the relevant year. 
Learner identity
For information on verification of learner identity requirements, see the DQ3-7 funding conditions for the relevant year.
Learners enrolled with more than one TEO
A learner may be concurrently enrolled at more than one TEO and therefore undertaking a high study load. While this is not prohibited, take care to identify these learners and ensure that they are supported to successfully complete their courses and qualifications.  
Literacy and numeracy requirements 
Learners should not be enrolled in a programme funded under DQ3-7 until their literacy and numeracy skills are sufficient for them to be successful. For example, until they present at Step 3 or higher on the Learning Progressions.
Learning Progression Frameworks – Ministry of Education.
Literacy and numeracy skills can be built through programmes funded under a variety of funds, including the Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund, the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Fund, or Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQCF.
Definition of a domestic learner
For the duration of a learner’s enrolment in an eligible programme or micro-credential, you must ensure that DQ3-7 funding is only used for a learner who is a “valid domestic enrolment”. 
Valid domestic enrolment
For the purposes of DQ3-7 funding, the term “valid domestic enrolment” refers to the enrolment of a learner who meets the valid domestic enrolment conditions. See the DQ3-7 funding conditions for the relevant year. 
International learners defined as domestic learners 
The groups of learners enrolled with a New Zealand TEO or registered PTE who are required to be treated as if they are not international learners are outlined in the Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2024 – New Zealand Gazette. 
For information on international learner work-based eligibility, see Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders – Funding Eligibility.
Overseas study eligibility
Domestic learners studying overseas – intramurally
Domestic learners studying outside of New Zealand at an overseas campus or delivery site are still valid domestic enrolments if they meet criteria in the funding conditions for relevant year, and:

the learner is undertaking part (but not all) of the programme outside of New Zealand
the learner is enrolled at a New Zealand TEO in a programme leading to the award of a Qualification at Level 7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF
the study outside of New Zealand is full time and face-to-face (ie, is not an extramural enrolment)
the overseas campus is an approved delivery site under the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022 – NZQA.
the offshore campus is in an approved country on the Education New Zealand approved countries list (PDF 35 KB).
the learner meets additional criteria below, if the learner is a New Zealand permanent resident, Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.

International learners who become defined as domestic learners under Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2024 are included in the above settings.
Domestic learners studying overseas – extramurally
A domestic learner that has already been deemed to be a valid domestic enrolment can study extramurally outside of New Zealand, if all other funding conditions are met.
This includes meeting additional criteria below, if the learner is a New Zealand permanent resident, Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.
Resources

Additional criteria for New Zealand permanent residents, Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents studying overseas
These learners must meet domestic enrolment conditions to be considered a domestic learner when studying overseas with a New Zealand TEO.
To be classified as a domestic learner, New Zealand permanent residents (NZPRs), Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents (APRs) studying outside New Zealand (enrolled with a New Zealand-based TEO) must meet the criteria set out in the Regulations:
Education (Tertiary Education – Criteria Permanent Residents Studying Overseas must Satisfy to be Domestic Students) Regulations 2016 
This includes that they must be ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
“Ordinarily resident” in New Zealand means the learner meets the “ordinarily resident test”, whereby they:

are lawfully able to reside in New Zealand 
normally reside in New Zealand, and
intend to remain in New Zealand (ie, they consider New Zealand to be their home). 

A learner cannot be “ordinarily resident” in two countries at the same time.
To decide whether a learner meets the “ordinarily resident test”, use the Ministry of Social Development’s Guidelines:
Guidelines for deciding ordinarily resident – Work and Income
TEOs are responsible for ensuring that a learner meets the “ordinarily resident test” and is eligible to access tuition subsidy funding and study support. You may require NZPRs, APRs and Australian citizens intending to study part of a New Zealand qualification overseas to complete a declaration to confirm their unfamiliarity with the overseas country they intend to study in and provide evidence that they are ordinarily resident in New Zealand.
Note: We have not specified the amount and timing of the parts of the study to be completed in New Zealand and overseas. This is to allow flexibility for the TEO to best structure its delivery of the qualification. For more details on valid enrolments and funding for study overseas see the funding conditions for the relevant year.
Overseas travel
DQ3-7 funding can only be used to meet the cost of overseas travel for learners in exceptional circumstances where overseas travel is academically essential. For details on how to determine if overseas travel is academically essential, see the DQ3-7 funding conditions for the relevant year.
International learner eligibility
Enrolment of international students
If a learner is an international student, you should confirm that the learner is eligible to attend the TEO as an international student and has the necessary visa. You can do this by either:

sighting the learner’s passport and conducting a VisaView check (see “VisaView” below), or
sighting the learner’s passport with either:

a current student visa label or visa approval notification (see “Visa approval notification” below) (or in the case of a pathway student visa, the letter from Immigration New Zealand specifying the TEOs and courses the learner is eligible to attend), or
a current work visa label or visa approval notification with conditions that allow the learner to study (this relates to an international learner who has a practical component in their study programme), or
a current work or visitor visa label or visa approval notification if the learner is enrolling in a course of less than 12 weeks. For more information about work and visitor visas see Immigration New Zealand.

We recommend that you keep these records for your international learners as well, in order to comply with the record-keeping requirements for tertiary education institutions (TEIs) in section 309 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and for registered private training establishments (PTEs) in section 361 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and under the NZQA Rules.
Section 309 of the Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation
Section 361 of the Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation
Visa approval notification
Immigration New Zealand is moving towards the use of label-less visas. The visa is recorded electronically in Immigration New Zealand’s system, so some learners will not have a visa label in their passport. Instead, a label-less visa approval notification is sent by email or letter to the learner.
Learners with label-less visas may therefore present their visa approval notification as evidence of their visa when they enrol with a TEO, and you can verify this using VisaView.
VisaView
A TEO can check whether a learner who is not a New Zealand citizen can study with them in New Zealand using the VisaView online enquiry system:
VisaView – Immigration New Zealand
For more information see the VisaView Guide for Education Providers. You can also contact Immigration New Zealand if you have questions.
VisaView Guide for Education Providers (PDF 663 KB)
If you have confirmed a learner’s eligibility via VisaView you are required to download and retain the VisaView record to comply with the funding conditions for the relevant year.
International learners with domestic learner eligibility
Whether or not a learner is a domestic or international learner for the purposes of fees and TEC funding is determined by their status at the time of enrolment.
The Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice specifies that some learners who are not New Zealand citizens or residents must be treated as if they are domestic students.
Tertiary Education (Domestic Students) Notice 2024 – New Zealand Gazette
A learner’s eligibility at the start of a course applies until the course ends.
Permanent residence status granted mid-way through study 
Domestic learner funding can be claimed for an international learner enrolling in courses that start after the learner is granted residency, whether in the same or a different qualification.
Whether or not a learner is a domestic or international learner for the purposes of fees and Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding is determined by their status at the time of enrolment.
A learner’s eligibility at the start of a course applies until the course ends.
The TEO must have obtained any necessary approvals for the enrolment of international students under the Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice – NZQA.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

On this page: 

Enrolment process
We recommend that your tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) admission and enrolment process for DQ1-2 includes the steps below:

Step
Responsibility
Action

1
TEO
Provides information on qualifications (including courses), the admission and enrolment process, and the withdrawal and fees refund process

2
Learner
Applies to the TEO for admission and enrolment (separately or together)

3
TEO
Verifies the learner’s identity

4
TEO
Confirms the learner’s eligibility to study (and eligibility for provision funded through DQ1-2)

5
TEO
Recognises prior learning

6
TEO
Makes a formal offer to enrol the learner in a course or programme of study, excluding recognised prior learning

7
Learner
Formally accepts the offer

8
TEO
Records the enrolment

9
TEO
Invoices the learner for any student services fees

10
Learner
Pays any student services fees, or arranges for them to be paid

11
TEO
Records payment of any student services fees

12
TEO
Provides the learner with information about all planned learning activities in their programme

13
TEO
Records the learner as a valid domestic enrolment once the 10% or one month (whichever is earlier) period for eligibility for TEC funding has passed

We expect you to inform each learner during the enrolment process about all planned learning activities leading to the award of the qualification they have enrolled in. “Planned learning activities” includes self-directed learning activities you expect the learner to engage with/participate in. It does not include self-directed activities the learner initiates. 
For the full requirements when enrolling learners in DQ1-2 provision, see the funding conditions for the relevant year.
Admission
We expect you to publish admission information before the start of each programme. This information should include:

admission requirements
criteria and processes for assessing and recognising a learner’s prior learning
criteria and process for cross-crediting courses across multiple programmes
documents that a learner must submit; for example, an academic transcript or record from another TEO
the enrolment process
minimum attendance and code of conduct requirements
withdrawal requirements and process, including refunds
student support services available, and
student services fees information.

Inducement to enrol
An enrolment is not a valid domestic enrolment if the learner has been induced to enrol.
We recommend that you contact our Customer Contact Group, phone 0800 601 301 or email customerservice@tec.govt.nz, before offering any incentive to learners to enrol with you.
Enrolment application
To enrol in a programme leading to the award of a qualification, a learner needs to apply to your TEO by completing and submitting an enrolment form, and providing evidence to enable you to:

verify their identity, and
determine their eligibility.

To ensure an enrolment form collects all of the necessary information, you need to be familiar with the SDR Manual. Your enrolment form should collect all of the information you are required to report in the Single Data Return (SDR) to determine whether the learner is eligible for DQ1-2.
Single Data Return (SDR)
If you wish, you can use the generic enrolment form at Single Data Return.
We recommend that you publish your enrolment form.
Verification of learner identity
For the full requirements for verification of learner identity, see the Funding Conditions Catalogue for the relevant year.
Note the base funding conditions and specific DQ1-2 funding conditions.
A TEO must verify the learner’s identity when the learner enrols for the first time, to comply with reporting requirements under clause 13 of Schedule 18 of the Education and Training Act 2020.
You must sight either an original or a certified copy of the original identification document. A certified copy can be a photocopy, photograph or scanned copy that has been endorsed as a true copy of the original by an authorised person. For more information see the relevant year’s Funding Conditions Catalogue.
Once you have verified the learner’s identity, you can then check if they are eligible to be a valid domestic enrolment.
Privacy statement
Once you have assessed a learner as eligible, you must provide them with a privacy statement explaining that you are holding their personal information for specified purposes and that you have disclosure obligations.
For guidance about the information you must provide in your privacy statement, see the base funding conditions in the Funding Conditions Catalogue for the relevant year.
You may wish to use the TEC template privacy statement.
Variations to standard enrolments
Recognition of learning/prior achievement
For the full requirements when enrolling learners into DQ1-2 provision, see the DQ1-2 funding conditions for the relevant year.
Recognition of learning/prior achievement refers to previous study or experience relevant to the programme that the learner is about to enrol in or is currently studying. It enables a learner to proceed with their study without repeating aspects of their previous qualification, or re-learning skills they have already achieved through past work or other experience.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL), and credit recognition and transfer (CRT), are forms of recognising learning/prior achievement. For information and guidelines for TEOs, see Guidelines for the recognition and award of learning for credit – NZQA.
It is your responsibility to recognise each learner’s prior learning and adjust the courses in your programme. You cannot claim DQ1-2 funding for RPL or CRT, or for delivering tuition where the learner already has prior learning (ie, skills and/or knowledge). This means you are responsible for:

undertaking a preliminary evaluation and identifying whether a learner is likely to have the knowledge, skills and attributes that can contribute to the graduate outcomes of the qualification
seeking evidence of prior academic achievement using the NZQA Record of Achievement (ROA) when the learner enrols, and

For questions about recognition of prior learning, please contact NZQA.
Learners wanting to defer their start date
You may agree to defer a learner’s enrolment start date, but you should have a policy for the circumstances under which a learner may defer their start date.
Note: No DQ1-2 funding can be claimed unless the learner has started their study and the 10% or one month date for accessing funding has passed. This is calculated from the date the learner starts their deferred enrolment.
Learners wanting to accelerate their study (undertake additional learning)
You should not enrol a learner in an additional course or qualification unless they elect to exceed the equivalent full-time student (EFTS) value of the qualification (eg, if they need to re-do a course that they previously did not pass). In this case, the total EFTS value of the learner’s enrolments for the qualification will be greater than the EFTS value of the qualification they achieve.
In that instance the additional learning hours should be matched by an appropriate number of additional teaching hours.
Learners enrolling concurrently with another tertiary education organisation (TEO)
Concurrent enrolments at another TEO are not prohibited. However, it is unlikely a learner enrolled in foundation level education would successfully manage concurrent enrolments at separate TEOs, and complete their courses and qualifications.
If your TEO has a foundation level learner in this situation, you should work with the other TEO to ensure their study workload is manageable.
Enrolment changes
If a learner’s enrolment changes for any reason, you must update your records to reflect the changes. We recommend you send updated enrolment information to the learner. 
We suggest you specify the period in which a learner can change their enrolment or withdraw from a course (so it is clear on their academic record and they do not incur unnecessary costs). 
Student services fees refund when the enrolment changes
You must inform the learner at the time of enrolment what the period is given for them to change their enrolment or withdraw from a course or programme with a refund of student services fees, if applicable (excluding any administration charge). You must process student services fees refunds in a timely manner for the learner. 
If you refund all or some of a learner’s student services fees, you must refund them in the manner in which the original fee was paid. 
If the learner is entitled to a refund, you cannot hold the refund as a credit (for enrolling or re-enrolling at your TEO in the future) unless you can demonstrate that the learner has understood their refund entitlement and agreed to waive their entitlement.
The above also applies when you pay the learner’s student services fees through a scholarship.
Withdrawals
For full withdrawal requirements, see the Funding Conditions Catalogue for the relevant year.
Note the base funding conditions and DQ1-2 specific conditions.
A withdrawal is when a learner ceases to participate in a course, programme or micro-credential (regardless of whether they have been refunded any student services fees), either:

by providing notice to the TEO that they wish to withdraw participation, or
as a result of non-attendance or non-participation for any reason.

Disengaged learners who have not formally withdrawn
A learner may have disengaged from their programme or micro-credential but not have formally withdrawn. For example, they may fail to attend a face-to-face course or not log in for online learning.
You should determine at the earliest opportunity if a disengaged learner is withdrawing from a course. If their enrolment continues to be reported and is unsuccessful, it will be counted as a course non-completion for the calculation of Educational Performance Indicators (EPIs).
Setting the withdrawal date for a withdrawn learner
You need to apply a deemed withdrawal date to any enrolment that meets the criteria above, and report it in in the Single Data Return (SDR).
Note: A TEO is not eligible to receive funding for an enrolment with a withdrawal date that occurs before 10% or one month of the course has passed (rounded up to the nearest whole day), whichever is earlier.
Advising StudyLink and other parties of learner withdrawal
When a learner in receipt of a loan and/or allowance withdraws from a programme, you must notify to StudyLink of the withdrawal date (or the date you deem that the learner withdrew, e.g., by non-attendance or non-participation).
Withdrawal date and student services fees refund period
All TEOs need to apply a student services fees refund period. If a learner withdraws from a course or programme within this period, you must provide the learner with a refund of the student services fees (or waiver of fee payment).
Note: The refund period requirements are different for private training establishments (PTEs) and tertiary education institutions (TEIs).
Requesting fees payment from StudyLink
Student services fees cannot be paid for through the Student Loan Scheme.
Learners with unpaid student services fees
A learner becomes a valid domestic enrolment when they have paid or committed to pay student services fees, and the student services fees refund period has passed.
If the learner does not pay the student services fees they committed to, then they cease to be a valid domestic enrolment. You cannot claim DQ1-2 funding for them.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Definition of an EFTS
From 1 January 2023, we are defining an equivalent full-time student (EFTS) of YG provision leading to:

a Level 1 or 2 qualification as 80 credits, and
a Level 3 qualification as 120 credits (no change).

This means that 0.5 EFTS (or 50% of a full-time, full-year learner workload) is equivalent to a:

40-credit workload for learners enrolled in Level 1 and 2 Youth Guarantee qualifications, and
60-credit workload for learners enrolled in Level 3 Youth Guarantee qualifications.

No change to reporting systems or requirements
Mixes of Provision, Single Data Return (SDR) reports and Ngā Kete information products will continue to calculate all YG funding and delivery volumes using the 1 EFTS = 120 credit definition.
Track learner consumption of EFTS carefully
We do not require tertiary education organisations (TEOs) to change their programmes for 2023.
However, TEO tracking of consumption using course enrolments starting on or after 1 January 2023 needs to reflect:

80 credits per EFTS for Level 1 and 2 qualifications; and
120 credits per EFTS for Level 3 qualifications.

Track learner consumption of their 2.5 EFTS per learner entitlement carefully
You should not enrol a learner in a programme if the enrolment will take them over the 2.5 EFTS per learner limit for YG.
Consider course re-enrolments and learner EFTS consumption
Similarly, consider a learner’s course re-enrolments before you enrol them in a further programme. Where a learner does not complete a course successfully and you re-enrol them and claim funding, they consume additional EFTS towards their entitlements.
Admission and enrolment process
We recommend that a tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) admission and enrolment process for YG includes the steps below: 

Youth Guarantee process

Step

Responsibility

Action

1

TEO

Provides information on qualification programmes of study (including courses), the admission and enrolment process, and the withdrawal process.

2

Learner

Applies to the TEO for admission and enrolment (separately or together)

3

TEO

Verifies the learner’s identity

4

TEO

Confirms the learner’s eligibility to study (and eligibility for provision funded through YG, including prior achievement)

5

TEO

Recognises prior learning

6

TEO

Makes a formal offer to enrol the learner on a course or programme, excluding recognised prior learning

7

Learner

Formally accepts the offer

8

TEO

Records the enrolment

9

TEO

Invoices the learner for any charges for personal items

10

Learner

Pays any charges for personal items, or arranges for them to be paid

11

TEO

Records payment of any charges

12

TEO

Provides the learner with information about all planned learning activities in their programme

13

TEO

Records the learner as a valid domestic enrolment once the 10% or one month (whichever is earlier) period for eligibility for TEC funding has passed

Note: We expect the TEO to inform each learner during the enrolment process about all planned learning activities leading to the award of the qualification the learner has enrolled in. “Planned learning activities” includes self-directed learning activities the TEO expects the learner to engage with/participate in. It does not include self-directed activities the learner initiates.
For the full requirements when enrolling learners in YG provision, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
Admission
We expect you to publish admission information before the start of each programme. This information should include: 

admission requirements
criteria and process for selecting learners for entry into restricted entry courses (if relevant)
criteria and process for assessing and recognising a learner’s prior learning
criteria and process for cross-crediting courses across multiple programmes
documents that a learner must submit (for example, a learner’s academic transcript or record from another TEO)
the enrolment process
minimum attendance and code of conduct requirements
withdrawal requirements and process, including refunds
process for travel assistance funding, and
student support services available including pastoral care.

Fees
For the full requirements when enrolling learners in YG provision, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
Inducement to enrol
For the full requirements when enrolling learners in YG provision, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year. An enrolment is not a valid domestic enrolment if the learner has been induced to enrol.
We recommend that you contact us to discuss this before offering items or activities to learners for enrolling with you.
Enrolment
For the full requirements when enrolling learners in YG provision, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year.
Enrolment form
An enrolment form should collect all of the information you are required to report in the Single Data Return (SDR) to determine whether the learner is eligible for YG. 
To ensure an enrolment form collects all of the necessary information, you need to be familiar with the SDR Manual. You can also use the Ministry of Education’s generic enrolment form.
We recommend that you publish your enrolment form.
Enrolment application
To enrol in a programme leading to award of a qualification, a learner needs to apply to the TEO by completing and submitting the TEO’s enrolment form, and providing evidence to enable the TEO to:

verify the learner’s identity, and
determine the learner’s eligibility. 

Enrolment changes
If a learner’s enrolment changes for any reason, you must update your records to reflect the changes. We recommend you send updated enrolment information to the learner.
We suggest you specify the period in which a learner can change their enrolment or withdraw from a course (so it is clear on their academic record, and they do not incur unnecessary course-related costs). 
Verification of learner identity
For the full requirements for verification of learner identity and eligibility, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year. Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) must ensure that learners are eligible to be enrolled in YG funded programmes. To comply with the reporting requirements under clause 13 of Schedule 18, clause 13 of the Education and Training Act 2020, a TEO must verify the learner’s identity when the learner enrols for the first time.
Note: The TEO must sight either an original or a certified copy of the original.

Originals must be in hard copy format.
Certified copies can be either in hard copy format or digital format (photograph or scan).

For audit purposes, the TEO must retain copies of the Record of Achievement (ROA) that was used on first enrolment to determine eligibility.
Recognition of learning/prior achievement
For the full requirements when enrolling learners into Youth Guarantee provision, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year. For information on the prior achievement requirements refer to Learner eligibility – Youth Guarantee – Limit on qualification prior achievement.
Recognition of learning/prior achievement refers to previous study or experience (prior achievement) relevant to the programme the learner is about to enrol in or is currently studying. It enables a learner to proceed with their study without repeating aspects of the programme previously studied, or re-learning skills the learner has already achieved through past work or other experience.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL), and credit recognition and transfer (CRT), are forms of recognising learning/prior achievement. For information and guidelines for TEOs, see Guidelines for the recognition and award of learning for credit – NZQA.
It is the TEO’s responsibility to recognise each learner’s prior learning and adjust the courses in their programme. A TEO cannot claim YG funding for RPL or CRT, or for delivering tuition where the learner already has prior learning (ie, skills and/or knowledge).
This means the TEO is responsible for:

undertaking a preliminary evaluation of the learner and identifying whether they are likely to have the knowledge, skills, and attributes that can contribute to the graduate outcomes of the qualification
seeking evidence of prior academic achievement, including using an NZQA Record of Achievement, when each learner enrols, and
for Level 3 qualifications, carrying out a National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualification check with NZQA to see each learner’s full NCEA achievement and paid and unpaid credits.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact the NZQA Qualifications Data and Data Analysis team on 0800 697 296.
Unpaid NZQA fees for credits
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) administers a process for clearing unpaid credits achieved at secondary school. We supply NZQA with enrolment information after each Single Data Return (SDR) and this information is used to match national student numbers (NSNs) with NZQA records.
To see a learner’s paid and unpaid credits, NZQA recommends doing an NCEA qualification check prior to enrolment.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact the NZQA Qualifications Data and Data Analysis team on 0800 697 296.
Student Loans and Allowances
A TEO that provides YG programmes must not charge tuition fees to any learner. 
A Youth Guarantee learner who is under 18 years old is not eligible for a Student Loan under the Student Loan Scheme. A learner who is 18 to 24 years old, however, may be eligible to access course-related costs and living costs as part of the Student Loan Scheme.
Note: Learners who turn 18 while enrolled in a Youth Guarantee funded programme are not eligible for course-related costs or living costs until their next programme (qualification) enrolment.
TEOs must ensure that YG learners understand they need to confirm their eligibility for a Student Loan or Student Allowance with StudyLink as part of deciding to undertake study (using the tools on the StudyLink website). It is important that learners make good study decisions based on all the relevant information. 
Notes:

For learners to be able to access any part of the Student Loan or Student Allowance Schemes, the programme(s) the learner is enrolled in must meet the loan entry threshold (LET) and be approved in Services for Tertiary Education Organisations (STEO) by the TEC.
TEOs must add the appropriate source of funding to the Verification of Study (VoS) to StudyLink. For all YG enrolments code 22 should be added to the VoS.
TEOs are no longer required to use concurrent qualifications to indicate to StudyLink the type and age of learners enrolled. Concurrent qualifications will only be used where a learner is enrolled in multiple programmes simultaneously and the full study load (EFTS value of the programmes) needs to be advised to StudyLink. 

Withdrawals
For the full withdrawal requirements, see the Youth Guarantee funding conditions for the relevant year. A “withdrawal” is when a learner ceases to participate in a course or programme, either:

by providing notice to the TEO that they wish to withdraw participation, or
as a result of non-attendance or non-participation for any reason.

Disengaged learners who have not formally withdrawn
A learner may have disengaged from the programme but not have formally withdrawn. For example, they may have failed to attend face-to-face courses. 
Determine at the earliest opportunity if a disengaged learner is withdrawing from a course. If the enrolment continues to be reported and is unsuccessful, it will be counted as a course non-completion for the calculation of Educational Performance Indicators (EPIs). 
Setting a withdrawal date for a withdrawn learner
TEOs need to apply a “withdrawal date” to any enrolment in the Single Data Return (SDR) where a learner withdraws.
Advising StudyLink and other parties of learner withdrawal
When a learner in receipt of a loan and/or allowance withdraws from a programme, the date of withdrawal that the TEO must notify to StudyLink is the date the TEO determined that the learner had ceased to participate (eg, for non-attendance or non-participation).

Source: New Zealand Government

New figures released today show childhood immunisation rates at 24 months continue to rise, reflecting the Government’s strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Kiwi children, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Protecting children from preventable illnesses like measles and whooping cough is a priority, so it’s heartening to see more children across the country now fully immunised,” Mr Brown says.

National coverage at 24 months has climbed to 79.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2024/25 – up 2.4 percentage points compared to the same quarter last year.

“These results show that our clear focus on health targets, combined with the efforts of our frontline workforce, is delivering real improvements for children.”

The gains have been widespread across the country, with several districts showing strong improvement compared to the last quarter.

“Auckland lifted its coverage by 5.7 percentage points, Counties Manukau by 5.5, and Lakes by 5.2. Capital and Coast rose by 4.4 points, while Whanganui achieved a 5.8-point gain.”

The South Island also recorded excellent progress.

“Nelson Marlborough saw a 5.2-point increase, and South Canterbury delivered a remarkable 12.1-point gain this quarter.”

Mr Brown says the rise in immunisation coverage is especially important following the recent cases of measles in Wairarapa.

“These cases are a timely reminder of why staying on top of immunisations is so important. Measles is highly infectious, and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect our children and communities.

“Every additional child immunised lowers the chance of outbreaks, helping to keep our families, schools, and communities safe and healthy.

“Childhood immunisations are a key priority for this Government. We want to see 95 per cent of children fully immunised by 2030, and we know GPs play a critical role in achieving that,” Mr Brown says.

“That’s why this Government has introduced performance payments for GP clinics that lift childhood immunisation rates by up to ten percentage points, or reach 95 per cent of their enrolled population – with partial payments for partial achievement.”

Mr Brown says the Government is backing local services and frontline staff to keep building momentum.

“Putting patients first means giving every child the healthiest possible start to life. We’re continuing to invest in community outreach, local services, and the workforce needed to lift immunisation coverage even further.

“There’s still more work to do, but this latest data shows we’re heading in the right direction,” Mr Brown says.

Source: Privacy Commissioner

The Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) describes our intended financial and non-financial performance during the financial year (1 July – 30 June). Publishing a Statement of Performance Expectations is a requirement of all Crown entities under the Crown Entities Act 2004.

Statement of Performance Expectations 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

Read the current Statement of Performance Expectations (opens to PDF,2.1MB). 

Safeguarding personal information benefits all of New Zealand. For our people, protecting privacy reduces the privacy harms that may result, whether they are financial, reputational or emotional. For our companies and government agencies, soundly managing personal information enables the flow of goods and services through building the trust of customers and clients. For our society, privacy is a foundation underpinning the trust in the institutions of our democracy.

For 2025/26 we have set ourselves three key areas of strategic focus:

1. Provide guidance and develop processes to support the implementation of legislative and regulatory privacy initiatives.
2. Engage with agencies to build their privacy capability and empower New Zealanders to assert their privacy rights.
3. Focus our activities on the technological and digital innovations being adopted by organisations and businesses

Read previous Statements of Performance Expectations below: 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash in Kaitaia on Friday.

He was 27-year-old Ngaiwa Miru, of Kaitaia.

Our thoughts are with those close to him at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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Monday 14 July 11:58am

State Highway 6 Rocks Road is expected to remain closed to traffic for at least the next two days.

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says further inspections of the site were completed this morning.

“Geotechnical investigations confirm that heavy rain has created another unstable wedge of soil, with vegetation and rocks hanging above the highway. Pieces of debris are continuing to fall intermittently.”

“Our contractors have begun sluicing to remove the debris, which is being collected and removed at the base of the slip,” Mr. Service says.

Because of the ongoing risk to the public, Mr. Service says State Highway 6 must remain closed between Bisley Avenue and Richardson Street.

“We ask that everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—obey the road closure while work to fix the slip continues. At this stage, we do not expect to have SH6 Rocks Road open before Thursday.”

Drivers and residents can expect ongoing travel delays and congestion while the closure remains in place – particularly during peak commuting times. People are encouraged to factor this into their travel plans.

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Sunday 13 July 5:56pm

Work continues in Nelson and Tasman to restore the region’s critical state highway links.

Nelson’s link to Murchison and the West Coast was restored this afternoon with the reopening of State Highway 6 between Belgrove and Kohatu.

Work to reopen State Highway 6 at Rocks Road continues.

SH6 Rocks Road

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says the situation with Rocks Road is serious.

“We have had crews up assessing the site, removing the material, and monitoring earth movement over the weekend.”

“This has shown that, for safety reasons, State Highway 6 Rocks Road must remain closed,” Mr Owen says.

Mr Owen says NZTA/Waka Kotahi will continue to work with Civil Defence and the Nelson City Council on the matter

“We will work together to develop a solution, and we will do this as quickly as possible.”

“However, it does mean the road closure must remain in place until further notice. There is a clear and present risk to public safety, which must be carefully managed,” Mr Owen says.

The closure will have a significant impact on traffic flows in and out of the city and Mr Owen warns drivers must be ready for it.

“Thousands of vehicles use this route daily, shifting them on to the detour route on Waimea Road will create congestion and delays – especially during morning and afternoon rush hours. We also ask that drivers use Waimea Road as the detour and avoid using smaller residential streets.”

“People need to be ready for this and plan their travel accordingly. If you can use public transport to get to work or delay your trip in and out of the city, please do so. This will help reduce pressure on the network,” Mr Owen says.

He also asks that the public respect the closure points in place.

“They are there to keep the public safe. Falling material has a very real potential to badly hurt or even kill you. Please stay clear while we work to reopen the road.”

Mr Owen says steps are in place ensure access to local businesses is available.

“They need to keep operating, which is why we have soft closure is in place at the intersection of Russell Street. People can get to these businesses and shops – we just ask no-one travel between Bisley Avenue and Richardson Street.”

SH6 Belgrove to Kohatu

Mr Owen says contractors made fantastic progress to reopen this section of State Highway 6, earlier today.

“It wasn’t just heavy rain that hammered the region over Friday and into Saturday, wind was a major problem too.”

“Hundreds of trees were brought down along this section of State Highway 6, and it has been an immense job to get them cleared, as well as tackle slips, rockfalls, and washouts. It also means the transport link between Nelson and the West Coast is restored,” Mr Owen says.

He says the other good news is that the stop bank built at Kohatu after the Motueka River breached its banks two weeks ago has held up well.

“This area was particularly hard hit just two weeks ago and it’s great to see the protection put in place worked.”

General advice

All other state highways are open, but it is not business as usual on the roads or for driving.

In Marlborough, State Highway 63, Korere-Tophouse Road to Waihopai Valley Road remains restricted to residents and essential travel only.

State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill, while open to light and heavy vehicles, has suffered slip and washout damage and extra care and time is needed when travelling this route. It is vulnerable to further disruptions and possible closure.

Across the network, because of weather damage, drivers must drive to the conditions and take extreme care when travelling. There remains an ongoing risk of slips, rock and tree falls, and the potential for further road closures. These may happen at short notice.

Road users can expect to encounter multiple road work and repair sites across the region and must allow extra time for their journeys.

Please follow all traffic management and temporary speed limits in place. They are there to keep the public and work crews safe.

More information