Qualifications
Formalised training opportunities for regulators.
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As of 1 May 2024, the Government Regulatory Practice Initiative has transferred to the new Ministry for Regulation. G-REG’s information will continue to be available on the MBIE website while the transition occurs. Any questions can be directed to hello@regulation.govt.nz.
NZQA Level 3 – 6 Qualification programmes
There are 4 regulatory practice qualifications in the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. These are managed by Te Pūkenga. Please refer to the Te Pūkenga website for more information and/or to register for any of the below qualifications.
Regulatory Practice(external link) – EarnLearn, Te Pūkenga
Below is a brief outline of each qualification, for full details please refer to the Te Pūkenga website.
Core Knowledge (NZQA Level 3)
For anyone who works in, or wants to work in, a regulatory organisation. This qualification covers a broad range of topics relevant to regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Operational Knowledge (NZQA Level 4)
For anyone who carries out operational regulatory work or supports those who do. This qualification is slightly more in depth than level 3 and includes modules on legal knowledge (powers, obligations, applying legislation, offences, evidence) and carrying out regulatory practice.
Operational Practice (NZQA Level 4)
The Operational Practice qualification builds on what was learnt in the Operational Knowledge qualification and takes the theory into the practical realm. Note you must have completed Operational Knowledge level 4 to be able to apply for this qualification.
Specialised Operational practice in Audit, Inspection, or Investigation (NZQA Level 5)
For anyone who carries out operational regulatory work such as front-line regulatory staff members. This qualification contains practical and theory elements.
Enquiries/Registrations
For any questions, or to register for level 3 – 5 qualifications, please contact Te Pūkenga.
NZQA Qualifications (Level 3-5) – Te Pūkenga:
Postgraduate Certificates in Regulatory Practice and Crown Entity Monitoring
The Wellington School of Business and Government (WSBG) offers Postgraduate Certificate option designed for staff in central and local government agencies with regulatory functions and Crown entity monitoring roles.
Participation lifts personal abilities and ambition, imagination, and courage to improve Crown entity monitoring practice within organisations. It opens opportunities for additional study.
Students complete 4 courses to qualify for a Post Graduate Certificate. Most courses are available in person at the Victoria University of Wellington Pipitea Campus at Rutherford House, Lambton Quay or synchronously via Zoom.
Flexible study
The programme can be started in July 2024 or February 2025, and completed over one to 2 years. Each course requires up to 150 hours of study.
Study at a glance
Regulatory practitioners:
Enrol in tailored ‘streams’ in the following plus one elective to qualify for a PGCert in Public Management.
GOVT 502—Public Managers and the Policy Process(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
GOVT 511—Managing for Results(external link) —Te Herenga Waka
GOVT 536—Regulatory Policy(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Or enrol in a coherent set of courses, drawing from the above tailored streams and other courses in the WSBG suited to your professional development needs to qualify for a PGCert in Professional Studies.
PGCert in Professional Studies(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Crown entity monitoring (for staff in departments and Crown entities):
Enrol in tailored ‘streams’ in the following plus two electives to qualify for a PGCert in Professional Studies.
GOVT 502—Public Managers and the Policy Process(external link) —Te Herenga Waka
GOVT 512—Managing Public Resources(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Or choose an additional elective from GOVT 505, 511, 513, or 514 to qualify for a PGCert in Public Management.
PGCert in Public Management(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Study is supported by dedicated practitioner study groups.
Participants and criteria for eligibility
The PGCert options with tailored study streams are particularly designed for public officials in leadership and technical advisory roles. Applicants have particular promise and/or capability in their organisations, including potential to rise to more senior positions, and are usually nominated by their organisations.
Applicants must:
- Have a Bachelor’s degree (NZQA Level 7) in any discipline from a New Zealand (or overseas equivalent) university (‘Graduate entry’); OR
- Have substantial experience in the New Zealand public sector (central or local government) and/or sub-bachelor’s or professional qualifications (‘Special Entry’).
PGCert PM Scholarship information
The School of Government Trust has made available a limited number of scholarships, covering course fees for one eligible course for students enrolling for the first time in trimester 2 2024 or trimester 1 2025. A further limited number of scholarships for an additional course will be made based on meritorious performance in the initial course.
Scholarship applicants must have been admitted to the PGCertPM and enrolled in an eligible course.
The deadlines to apply for a scholarship are 1 July 2024 for trimester 2 2024, and 15 January 2025 for trimester 1 2025.
Regulatory practitioners:
Eligible courses in trimester 2 2024:
GOVT 502—Public Managers and the Policy Process(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
GOVT 536—Regulatory Policy(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Eligible course in trimester 1 2025:
GOVT 511—Managing for Results(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Crown entity monitoring (for staff in departments and Crown entities)
Eligible course in trimester 2 2024:
GOVT 502—Public Managers and the Policy Process(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
Eligible course in trimester 1 2025:
GOVT 512—Managing Public Resources(external link) — Te Herenga Waka
To apply for a scholarship, applicants must:
- Have accepted an Offer of Study and enrolled in one of the above courses.
- Email the Academic Programme Leader, Prof Michael Macaulay, with the following information (approximately 1 page) by the deadline:
- A brief resume of your work history and current role
- What you hope to achieve through the PGCertPM for your career in regulatory practice or Crown entity monitoring.
Further Information
For further information on the courses please contact Victoria University Te Herenga Waka directly on the following email addresses.
Associate Professor Amanda Wolf, the Academic Programme Leader
amanda.wolf@vuw.ac.nz
Professional Programmes Recruitment Manager, Rosie Evans
ppo@vuw.ac.nz