About us

Pacific region

NZQA recognises the place that New Zealand has in the Pacific region, and understands the importance of collaboration with, and support for, the independent island nations who are our neighbours.

New Zealand’s relationship with our Pacific neighbours

New Zealand has close relationships with Pacific countries. We have a Treaty of Friendship with Samoa. Constitutional arrangements with Niue and the Cook Islands mean that Niueans and Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens.

Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP)

NZQA is a development partner and member of the EQAP advisory board.

The Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) sits within the Pacific Community (SPC). It is mandated to develop education quality in the Pacific.

EQAP efforts focus on developing literacy and numeracy, assessment capability, and curriculum, and on qualifications accreditation and research. EQAP's work includes the development of the regional Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards (PRQS).

Samoa and Tonga are also members of the Pacific Commnity (SPC).

The Cook Islands and Niue

NZQA has long-standing relationships with the Cook Islands and with Niue. Both of these island states administer NCEA at secondary school level.

Monitoring National Assessment (MNA visits)

Once every two years, NZQA sends a School Relationship Manager to both countries to provide advice and support, and to conduct MNA visits of secondary schools.

NZQA reviews schools’ NCEA assessment practices to ensure that assessment is fair, consistent, accurate and to the national standard, and produces an MNA report for each school.

Other information about NZQF, SQA, TNQAB, PRQS and the Pacific

For more information about the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

Contact us

For more information, or to give us feedback, please email pasifika@nzqa.govt.nz.