Toward a Māori Strategic Framework for NZQA - community consultation underway

NZQA is developing a Māori Strategic Framework that will guide the organisation in its work with and for Māori to 2012.

The strategy will identify how our quality assurance processes and systems can best support learning outcomes for Māori.

A Māori Reference Group (MRG), chaired by Colin Rangi, education manager of Hei Ara Kokiri (Tuwharetoa Education Institute), will develop the Strategic Framework.

Mr Rangi says the input and feedback from the community is vital for the creation of a successful Framework.

"Community input will help us recommend a strategy which will be relevant to learners, providers and NZQA and that can be implemented in a practical and meaningful way."

"The Māori Strategic Framework will help set specific targets for NZQA to provide qualifications that will support Māori in meeting their educational needs and aspirations," Mr Rangi said.

NZQA Board Acting Chair Catherine Gibson supports the creation of the Māori Strategy.

"The Board recognises the importance of Māori realising their potential as contributors to the future economic and social well-being of New Zealand," she says.

NZQA is seeking feedback from Māori education organisations and the wider community on a consultation document that outlines the visions, goals and themes for the Strategic Framework.

The Māori strategy is expected to be in operation by late 2006 and will guide NZQA in setting many of its strategic objectives and business plans.

The consultation document and its questionnaire are available online at www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-maori.

Hard copies are available on request. Email: maori@nzqa.govt.nz.

The deadline for getting your completed questionnaires to NZQA is
4 May 2006.