New Chief Executive for Qualifications Authority

The new chief executive of the Qualifications Authority, Dr Norman Kingsbury, has taken up office.

On starting at the Authority Dr Kingsbury resigned from his positions as chair of the Universities Academic Audit Unit and the Polytechnic Programmes Committee. He had also been provost for the establishment of a new post-graduate college endowed by Waikato-Tainui and was involved in the establishment of two wananga.

The Authority's Board Chair, Dr Frank Wood, said Dr Kingsbury's broad sector and management experience would bring balance and stability to the Authority. "The Authority has made significant advances over the last few months and Norman Kingsbury has the credentials necessary to build on the new momentum," said Dr Wood.

Norman Kingsbury has had a long and distinguished involvement in education at all levels. From 1964 to 1988 he held various senior positions at the University of Waikato and was the university's foundation Registrar.

He was involved in the 'Learning for Life' reforms from 1988 to 1990, and was Director of Tertiary Education Implementation at the Ministry of Education from 1991 to 1993, when important funding reforms were being developed.

Norman Kingsbury has overseas experience at management and government levels, and has served on school boards, polytechnic councils and the board of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He has long standing interests in Māori education.

Frank Wood said the board had been fortunate to acquire the services of such a diversely experienced person. "His breadth of trust and experience is important to the Qualifications Authority as our work covers the full array of post-compulsory education and training."

"This one year appointment provides a very appropriate bridge. Over the next twelve months the Authority will have its future role clarified and be involved in changes to the structure of the National Qualifications Framework. These are crucial strategic considerations," said Dr Wood.

"But we also have important immediate tasks. We are introducing major refinements to our quality assurance service and gearing up for the new secondary qualifications to come into effect in 2001," said Dr Wood.

"Meanwhile, we continue to reinforce the impact of National Certificates and Diplomas in tertiary and industry training. We are very proud of the services we offer the country but we are always fine-tuning. We continue to make important advances in the administration of national examinations, for example. All of this while we are looking ahead and contributing to important policy developments," said Dr Wood.

Dr Kingsbury is a Justice of the Peace and has been involved in many community organisations outside formal education.