MEDIA RELEASE
Maharey's Decision on NZQA Supported
3 February 2000, NZAPEP
"Steve Maharey's decision to confirm NZQA as the sole guardian of the national qualifications framework is a positive
step for the tertiary education sector. We support the Government's action and look forward to a new focus on results,
rather than endless discussions on structure", says Margaret Yates, executive member of the New Zealand Association of
Private Education Providers (NZAPEP).
"We hope that new projects to improve the quality assurance of education providers and co-ordinate qualifications can
now become the focus of NZQA's work. These will have a real effect on students, and are our top priority."
NZAPEP was concerned with the proposal to establish a new body, the Quality Assurance Agency of New Zealand (QAANZ), to
replace NZQA because it could have undermined the good work that NZQA has done during the 1990s. This included the
development of a new qualifications system that allowed students to staircase from second chance education to degree
level, and supported an increase in tertiary education participation.
Contact Margaret Yates on 03 389 5357 (work)
NZAPEP is the largest national association of private training establishments registered with NZQA. Its 130 members
enrol over half of the PTE students in New Zealand.
Education Directions Ltd 3rd Floor, Education Directions House, 15 Courtenay Place, Wellington PO Box 24-194,
Wellington 64-4-801 6425 (tel) 021 404 334 (mobile) 64-4-801 6412 (fax) http://www.ed.co.nz