Case Studies By Service Area
Organisational Strategy, Design & Change
Review of New Zealand Qualifications Authority
“Well-qualified advice”: addressing concerns surrounding NZQA
The scope
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is a Crown entity charged with “establishing a consistent approach to the recognition of qualifications in academic and vocational areas.”
In 2004, NZQA launched a new qualification, New Zealand Scholarship, as the basis for allocating University scholarships. However the initial results showed widely differing achievement rates in different subject areas – and a smaller-than-expected number of scholarships being awarded – leading to considerable public concern.
Our Involvement
The State Services Commissioner appointed MartinJenkins director Doug Martin to lead a review into the problems surrounding the 2004 Scholarship.
This review was then extended to the performance of NZQA in administering secondary school qualifications.
The Outcome
Doug Martin’s report on the 2004 Scholarship was a highly-awaited document that identified relevant problems in both policy advice provided by the Ministry of Education, and on the implementation of the policy by NZQA.
His report on the NZQA’s wider performance in secondary schools made 39 carefully-considered recommendations – including a solution for administering the 2005 examinations to reduce variability in results.
The MartinJenkins Difference
Due to the high level of public concern, this was a high-profile project that required sensitive handling and a responsive, sure-footed approach.
MartinJenkins background knowledge of the sector and solutions-focussed approach provided the Ministers and their executives with robust answers and pragmatic advice.
