Respected educator and public servant appointed to NZQA

"Karen has more than 30 years experience in the education sector and is widely respected. The Board has every confidence that she has the experience and skills to lead this organisation over the next few months."

The Chief Executive and Chief Review Officer of the Education Review Office, Karen Sewell, was appointed Acting Chief Executive of the Qualifications Authority in June.

Karen Sewell has taken unpaid leave from ERO, initially for four months, to take up the position.

Acting Qualifications Authority Board Chair Catherine Gibson said she was delighted to have Ms Sewell on board.

"Her main role will be to oversee NCEA and Scholarship exams this year, as well as setting the foundations for quality assurance requirements for the future."

Karen Sewell said that she was committed to implementing the changes required to improve the organisation's performance.

"It is my job to start the ball rolling on implementing the recommendations made by the recent reports on the performance of NZQA until a new permanent Chief Executive is appointed," Karen Sewell said.

"NCEA is one of the most significant changes for raising student achievement in New Zealand in the last 15 years. I am pleased to have the opportunity to support its implementation."

An executive search agency has been selected to find a permanent Chief Executive. Karen Sewell has indicated she is prepared to stay until an appointment has been made.

Karen Sewell has been a secondary school teacher and principal, President of the Auckland Secondary Schools Principals' Association, and Chairperson of the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association Principals' Council. While in these roles Karen represented principals as a member of the NZQA Principals' Lead Group. She joined ERO in 1997 and was appointed Chief Review Officer in 2001.