Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) expects TEOs to take a proactive approach to improving outcomes for disabled learners. TEOs are required to develop and submit a Disability Action Plan (DAP) or DAP progress update as part of their Investment Plans. As most TEOs have now submitted a DAP, the focus has largely shifted to the progress updates.  
DAPs help ensure TEOs meet their responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
What is a Disability Action Plan?
We want to ensure TEOs avoid discrimination against disabled people, and disabled learners experience better outcomes throughout their education journey. 
A DAP helps a TEO to identify good practices and offers a blueprint for change. The DAP sits alongside other Investment Plan requirements, including Learner Success Plans, designed to improve outcomes for all learners, in particular, learners most in need. 
The DAP Guidance, which TEC provides, supports you to develop your DAP, or DAP progress update, and gives suggestions on how to use the Kia Ōrite Toolkit as part of this development. 

Disability Action Plan progress update template
Template for Disability Action Plan progress update for Investment from 2026 (DOCX 277 KB)  
TEOs are encouraged to use the template, which was introduced in 2025, or use the template’s headings to guide their own document.  
The Kia Ōrite Toolkit describes best practice
The Kia Ōrite Toolkit is a New Zealand code of practice to achieve a tertiary education environment that supports disabled learners.
A TEO’s DAP must show clear evidence that they are using various processes and measuring their progress against the Kia Ōrite Toolkit and its best practice standards.
Access the Kia Ōrite Toolkit
Find out more about the Kia Ōrite Toolkit for achieving equity
Giving effect to the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES)
Creating and implementing a DAP and improving outcomes for disabled learners also helps TEOs give effect to the TES – specifically, Objective Two: Barrier-free access.
Supporting your learner success approach
Fundamental to our work is understanding all learners and their needs and aspirations. Developing and implementing a DAP helps ensure an organisation fully understands the needs of disabled learners. Alongside Kia Ōrite, DAPs are a vital resource to support TEOs to redesign their businesses with learners at the centre.
Ōritetanga – tertiary success for everyone
Disability Action Plan report back for 2023
2023 was the second year TEOs were required to submit a DAP as part of the investment round. DAPs were assessed, and feedback provided to TEOs. A sector-level report on the development of DAPs in 2023 is available below.

The 2022 sector report is also available:

FAQs

The DAP Guidance is advice from the TEC on how to develop a DAP and what it should cover.
Kia Ōrite is a toolkit for best practice, developed by a group of sector experts. It advises TEOs on how to best support disabled learners at all stages of their learning journey.
They are two separate resources but support each other and should be read and used together.

TEOs must submit a Disability Action Plan if they: 

We strongly encourage all TEC-funded TEOs to engage with the Kia Ōrite Toolkit and develop a DAP at the earliest opportunity. Doing so will mean taking all possible steps to reduce discrimination against disabled people, including staff, learners and those in the wider community, and improve educational outcomes for disabled learners.

TEOs must submit a Disability Action Plan progress update if they: 

More information
TEC staff are available to answer any questions about the DAP Guidance, the Kia Ōrite Toolkit and the investment process. Please contact your Relationship Manager or the Customer Contact Group on 0800 601 301 or at customerservice@tec.govt.nz

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Version 1.0
Introduction
Taking part in the sessions
Steps in the tool
What happens after using the tool
Feedback
Introduction
Background to the LSDT
The LSDT is an integral part of the learner success approach.
The tool is intended to be used by your organisation to undertake a self-assessment of your organisation’s level of maturity across a range of capabilities. These capabilities allow a tertiary education organisation (TEO) to design and implement a whole-of-organisation approach to improving outcomes for all its learners.
You will meet in a group with other people from your organisation to discuss learner success, how your organisation is doing, and opportunities for development.
The tool was originally designed by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) drawing on similar approaches in other jurisdictions and advice from subject matter experts in Aotearoa New Zealand. The tool was trialled as part of the TEC’s Learner Success Framework pilot projects, and insights from these projects were used to refine the specific questions and design of the tool. 
The tool was redesigned in 2022, in partnership with New Zealand tertiary education organisations.
A note on language
Throughout the LSDT we use the terms student, learner and tauira interchangeably. This is a conscious decision to reflect the diversity of those who engage in tertiary education and the different ways they identify.
Your role as a participant
The sessions with the tool bring a wide range of people together to discuss and arrive at a common understanding of your organisation’s current state in relation to learner success. As a participant, you will collaborate with others and help explore the steps in the tool by providing your expertise and honest opinions.
Your facilitator
Your facilitator plays a critical role in organising the sessions, keeping discussions focused and keeping the group moving forward. They provide continuity, especially if discussions take place over multiple sessions.
Taking part in the sessions
Setting the scene for learner success
Before using the tool, you may have discussions with your facilitator to prepare for the sessions ahead. This could include exploring and deciding on a shared definition of learner success for your organisation.
The seven capabilities
These are the key elements an organisation needs to get right to enable learners to succeed – whatever that looks like for each learner.
In the sessions, your facilitator will introduce and facilitate discussions around the following capabilities:

People, culture and leadership – the commitment and collaboration of the tertiary education organisation’s (TEO’s) leadership to culturally conscious learner success for all, a clear vision for desired change, and a whole-of-organisation approach
Data and technology – the ability to ethically collect, assess, analyse and use data to inform decisions, and to use technology to support learner success for all
Guided pathways – clear and relevant educational pathways, from first engagement to employment, that foster learner success for all
Holistic learner supports – planning and integrating critical learner, academic and personal supports into a seamless, culturally conscious, timely experience designed with and for every learner
Learner-centric systems – policies and practices that improve outcomes for learners, and processes for reviewing and aligning policies and practices to remove barriers and enable learner success (including drawing from the evidence base of Māori/Indigenous and diverse learner success practices)
Teaching and learning – implementation of learner-centric instructional design, meaningful professional development, and learning environments and contexts to be effective and culturally conscious, including kaupapa Māori-designed environments
Partnerships – the development and support of partnerships between the TEO and relevant employers/industry, family and whānau, hapū, iwi and community groups, social agencies and education providers.

Steps in the tool
Step 1 – Define your ideal state
Here you will discuss each question with your group, then decide on an “ideal state” as an answer.
While some questions may relate to parts or functions of the organisation outside your area of expertise, it will still be useful to share your perceptions.
Step 2 – Assess your current state
Here you and your group will determine your organisation’s current progress, and agree on a score based on a scale defined by your ideal states in Step 1.
These assessments will serve as a rough benchmark that provides a holistic sense of your organisation’s current state.
Step 3 – Identify opportunities
In this stage you and your group review the summary report with your scores, ideal states and notes. Discuss this and identify opportunities for your organisation.
What happens after using the tool?
After using the tool, your organisation is in a position to start to look at the next stage of the Learner Success Framework (“Problem Definition”), by asking these types of questions:

What opportunity might you want to tackle first?
Where can you make the biggest gains?
Who needs to be involved in that process?

Feedback
Thank you for using the Learner Success Diagnostic Tool. We plan to continuously improve the tool, so we want to hear your suggestions and experiences.
Please email your feedback (with the subject “LSDT feedback”) to: customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Health New Zealand, working with New Zealand Customs and Maritime NZ, has updated “Vessel Management Framework: Guidance for managing maritime vessels when a quarantinable disease is suspected or known to be on board.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  22 July 2025

Situated just outside the town, the remnant kahikatea forest of Gordon Park Scenic Reserve is unique in the Whanganui area and beloved by many people in the community.

Department of Conservation Community Ranger Hēmi Stuteley says the new car park, fencing, and a planned picnic area will improve access and enjoyment.

“On top of these, the forest is gaining ground! Around two hectares of paddock are ready for planting with locally sourced seedstock, the majority collected and grown on by Friends of Gordon Park volunteers.”

Paddock areas to the north and west were deforested a long time ago but are part of Gordon Park Scenic Reserve.

“We can all play a role in protecting and enhancing this small but mighty patch of forest,” says Hēmi.

“This planting will help protect the mature forest as well as provide more habitat for our wetland birds like the at-risk mātātā or fernbird.”

Colin Ogle, spokesperson for volunteer group Friends of Gordon Park, says the community can be involved in planting the new areas.

“It’s a chance to be here from the start of something, plant some trees with your tamariki, then watch them grow over the coming years.

“We want this forest to belong to the community.”

The existing Gordon Park Scenic Reserve forest has been nurtured by the Friends of Gordon Park for almost 20 years, and new volunteers are always welcome.

Colin says it’s a busy planting schedule from July to the end of September.

“There’s around 6000 native trees to go in; we’ll provide the tools if you bring the enthusiasm, boots, and weather appropriate clothing!”

The main community planting day is Sunday 3 August at 11 am, however extra people to contribute are also welcome at the six weekday plantings falling on regular volunteer days.

Regular volunteer days at Gordon Park are held twice a month, on the second Tuesday morning at 10 am and fourth Thursday afternoon at 1 pm.

Contact whanganui@doc.govt.nz for more information.

Contact

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 21 March 2025
Last updated 21 March 2025

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This page has information on the latest delivery volume and funding details for our main funds.
This page has information on the latest delivery volume and funding details for our main funds.

The spreadsheet below shows Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)-funded tertiary education data submitted by tertiary education organisations (TEOs) through the Single Data Return (SDR) and the Industry Training Register (ITR). The data is broken down by the following funding groups:

Foundation education
Vocational education
Higher education.

It contains information on equivalent full-time students (EFTS) and funding for each TEO. We will update this data three times per year.
How to use the spreadsheet
Please read the “Information Sheet” before using the data. In the spreadsheet, click on the [+] button on the left of each sheet to see data at the TEO level (where applicable).
2023 to 2025 (April YTD) funded tertiary education (XLSX 210 KB)

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

25 seconds ago

A female technician at Andrew Simms Motor Group in Auckland has completed electric vehicle training through EIT to meet growing demand in the workshop.

Lezani Oosthuizen-Meyer, who joined the dealership in 2023, recently completed the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering [Level 5] through EIT via distance learning, while working full-time in the service department.

Originally from South Africa, the 35-year-old has more than a decade of experience in the automotive industry, including experience with both passenger vehicles and heavy transport.

Her enrolment is part of a wider upskilling initiative at Andrew Simms, which, since 2023, has chosen EIT as its preferred provider for EV training across its six Auckland dealerships.

“We’re seeing more and more EVs coming through, so my managers encouraged me to do the course, and it was a really good experience.”

Delivered through a mix of online learning and in-person block courses, the level 5 programme is designed to equip qualified technicians with the skills and safety knowledge required to service and repair high-voltage electric vehicles.

Lezani said the support from her EIT tutor Scott Cunningham made a big difference.

“Scotty was very knowledgeable and helped me a lot. Even now, if I have questions, I can call him, and he’ll talk me through it.”

Having previously trained in both South Africa and New Zealand, Lezani said the EIT course offered more depth than anything she had done before.

“It broke everything down really clearly,” she said. “I already had experience working with modules and diagnostics, but this gave me a much better understanding of high-voltage systems.”

While juggling study, work, and parenting a four-year-old was a challenge, she said it was manageable and worth it.

“Sometimes I’d get home late, give my son a bath and get him to bed, then go straight into the online classes,” she said. “It was tiring, but it’s added to what I can do in the workshop.”

As one of the few women in the trade, Lezani said she’s noticed a more inclusive culture in New Zealand compared to South Africa, where opportunities were limited.

“I’ve seen more women in the industry here, which is really encouraging,” she said.

Now looking to take a break from study, she hopes to explore opportunities in management in the future.

“For now, I’m focused on work and family, but I’d definitely recommend the course to others. It’s a good investment in your future.”

Tim Jagusch, EIT School of Trades and Technology Assistant Head, said Lezani’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.

“At EIT, we’re proud to support learners like her; people who are not only advancing their own careers but also helping to shape the future of the automotive industry. Her success reflects the strength of our partnerships with industry leaders like Andrew Simms Motor Group and the value of flexible, high-quality training. We congratulate Lezani on her achievement and look forward to seeing more technicians take up the challenge of EV training.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes the establishment of Pharmac’s new consumer working group to help Pharmac help reset how it works with health consumers.

“For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.  

“My expectation is that Pharmac should have good processes to ensure that people with an illness, their carers and family, can provide input to decision-making processes. This is part of the ACT-National Coalition Agreement. 

“Pharmac hosted a Consumer Engagement Workshop in March. Patients and advocates voiced their hopes at resetting the patient – Pharmac relationship. Pharmac published a report on the findings from the workshop. 

“The report recommended that the Board invite workshop participants, in association with the wider consumer-patient representative community, to select a working group. The group would work with Pharmac’s Board and management to reset the relationship between Pharmac and the consumer/representative community. 

“The patient advocacy community selected Dr Malcolm Mulholland to lead the consumer working group. He has worked with consumers to select the other members of the working group. These members represent patients with a wide range of health conditions. They are named at the end of this release.”

“We’ve waited a long time for this opportunity. The work that Pharmac does is vitally important for the health of patients and their families, and this is why getting Pharmac to work as well as it can, will be the focus of the working group,” Dr Mulholland says.

“The consumer working group met for the first time yesterday to confirm the approach for the reset programme and agree the first set of actions. I look forward to hearing about their progress,” Mr Seymour says. 

“I’m pleased to see the Board take the opportunity to continue to prioritise expanding opportunities and access for patients and their families by expanding access to more medicines for more groups. 

“The working group reflects our commitment to a more adaptable and patient-centred approach. It follows my letters of expectations, the consumer engagement workshop, last year’s Medicines Summit, and the acceptance of Patient Voice Aotearoa’s White Paper as actions to achieve this. 

“The Government is doing its part. Last year we allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, and a $604 million uplift to give Pharmac the financial support it needs to carry out its functions – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders.” 

The consumer working group members are:

1. Dr Malcolm Mulholland MNZM – Patient Voice Aotearoa
2. Libby Burgess MNZM – Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
3. Tim Edmonds – Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ
4. Chris Higgins – Rare Disorders NZ
5. Francesca Holloway – Arthritis NZ
6. Trent Lash – Heartbeats Charitable Trust
7. Gerard Rushton – The Meningitis Foundation
8. Rachel Smalley MNZM – The Medicine Gap
9. Tracy Tierney – Epilepsy NZ
10. Deon York – Haemophilia NZ

Source: New Zealand Government

Planning for the intended ending of greyhound racing in New Zealand is moving forward with animal welfare paramount while also managing the uncertainty for those in the industry, Racing Minister Winston Peters says.

“We welcome the interim report by the Ministerial Advisory Committee appointed to help plan the intended transition away from greyhound racing in New Zealand.

“This report sets out a way forward including plans for rehoming the greyhounds currently involved in the sport,” Mr Peters says. 

In December the Minister announced the Government’s intention to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. An Advisory Committee was appointed to look at the process in detail and make recommendations for how the industry should be wound down. 

The Committee has been working with representatives of the greyhound racing sector, rehoming agencies, animal welfare groups and government agencies to find practical solutions. 

The report considers the planning that is underway for the rehoming of dogs, while always recognising this will continue after the intended end of racing on 31 July 2026.  The committee says the current rehoming programme will require reorganization and expansion to achieve finding safe homes for the estimated 1500 dogs remaining when racing is due to end. 

The Committee also acknowledges the concern of owners and trainers about the financial liability of feeding and caring for dogs once racing ceases. Support is being considered.

The Committee’s recommendations will be considered by Cabinet before any decisions are taken.

“We are fully aware of the impact that ending greyhound racing would have on those involved in the industry, and appreciate the feedback owners, trainers and other stakeholders have given the committee. 

“That is why it is important that we consider everything carefully.

“The intention is to introduce legislation and members of the industry, and the wider public will get the chance to make submissions to the select committee as part of the process.” 

The decision to end greyhound racing in New Zealand was made following ongoing concerns about animal welfare and three reviews into the industry which recommended significant change.

“The imperative to see this through continues with 15 racing greyhounds having to be euthanized so far this season and nearly a further 200 dogs suffering serious injuries keeping them out of racing for weeks and months,” Mr Peters says.

Source: New Zealand Government

A new medical school will be established at the University of Waikato as part of the Government’s plan to build a stronger health workforce, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti say.

“Cabinet has approved the business case for the new school, which will have a strong focus on primary care and rural health,” Mr Brown says.

“With $82.85 million in Government funding and over $150 million from the University, supported by philanthropic investment, this is a substantial commitment to education and regional development in the Waikato.

“Today’s decision will enable the University of Waikato to begin construction on new teaching facilities later this year and start planning for clinical placements, while giving more students the opportunity to study medicine in New Zealand.”

The school will offer a graduate-entry programme, providing a flexible new pathway into medicine that helps attract a broader range of students and build a stronger, more diverse workforce.

“It’s an innovative model that supports our focus on strengthening primary care, making it easier for people to see their doctor – helping Kiwis stay well and out of hospital.

“It also builds on the University’s recent additions of nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes, demonstrating a strong and growing commitment to developing New Zealand’s health workforce.”

A full cost-benefit analysis was presented to Cabinet before any proposal was finalised, as part of the National – ACT coalition agreement.

Mr Brown says the school builds on the Government’s record investment in the health system and workforce.

“Today’s announcement adds 120 doctor training places each year, starting in 2028 – a significant boost to our long-term pipeline of homegrown medical workforce.

“This is on top of the 100 additional medical training places that are being added over the term of this Government across the University of Auckland and University of Otago.”

Dr Reti says the decision represents a significant step forward for both the University of Waikato and the wider region.

“This is a major milestone for the University and a real boost for tertiary education in the Waikato. 

“It strengthens the University’s position as a leader in education, training, and research, and creates new academic and economic opportunities for Hamilton, the Waikato, and rural communities.

“By expanding access to medical training, we’re creating new opportunities for students from across the region and beyond, while also helping to future-proof the local workforce.

“This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking initiative this Government wants to see from our universities – investing in regional growth, building local capability, and delivering on the needs of rural communities.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced more clear expectations for Pharmac to innovate and optimise to further build on expectations set last year; to deliver the medicines and medical technology that Kiwis need. 

“Increasing medicines access is one of my greatest priorities. For many New Zealanders, funding for pharmaceuticals is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.  

Since my last letter of expectations Pharmac has:

• Improved overall consultation
• Added additional consultation to the annual tender process
• Changed funding criteria based on public feedback, such as the decision to fund two types of oestradiol patches
• Appointed Natalie McMurtry as the incoming Chief Executive to cement positive change, and continue to move towards a more transparent, inclusive, and people-focused organisation
• Conducted, and published a report on, the Consumer Engagement Workshop to help reset the Patient-Pharmac relationship
• Appointed a Consumer Working Group to help reset the Patient-Pharmac relationship
• Funded access to 66 additional medicines using the Government’s $604 million budget boost over four years which will benefit over 200,000 New Zealanders

“This is a good start. My letter of expectations for this year makes it very clear that there is still more work to be done. I expect this positive culture shift to continue,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Pharmac must modernise, or it will fall behind. It needs to adopt faster, smarter processes and explore the use of AI to lift performance.”

My expectations for this year are that Pharmac should: 

• Explore how it can optimise medicines assessment and procurement processes to make them more efficient
• Explore ways to utilise AI to make their processes more efficient
• Consider the fiscal impacts to the government of funding medicines and medical devices, including costs of societal impacts of funding or not funding a medicine or medical device
• Be more proactive in engaging with stakeholders
• Look for new and additional funding opportunities for medicines and medical devices
• Publish measurable performance metrics and timely decisions to increase transparency
• Continue to involve patients early in the process and engage with them meaningfully

“We’re committed to ensuring that the regulatory system for pharmaceuticals is not unreasonably holding back access. It will lead to more Kiwis being able to access the medicines they need to live a fulfilling life,” Mr Seymour says. 

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with Pharmac as we continue to ensure Kiwis get timely access to medicines and medical devices.”