Field: Service Sector

Review of Cookery New Zealand Qualifications

 

Reviewed qualifications

Ref

Version

Qualification Title (Level)

Credits

2100

2

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)

60

2101

2

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

120

2102

2

New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) with strands in Cookery, and Patisserie

120

 

Review information

Qualification Developer

Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council 

Reason for the review

Scheduled Review

Review date

February 2024

Outcome date

July 2025

Next review date

July 2030

 

Summary of review and consultation process

Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council reviewed the above qualifications between July 2024 and March 2025.

The review was carried out in collaboration with industry and subject matter experts, with a series of Steering and Technical Advisory Group meetings held, as part of the Culinary Koha project.

Based on the feedback received from industry and providers, the draft qualifications were reviewed and endorsed by the Steering Group prior to seeking wider feedback and support through promulgation on the Ringa Hora website December 2024 - January 2025. Some further, minor changes were made as a result of this feedback, and the reviewed qualifications were supported by the Steering group prior to submission to NZQA for evaluation.

 

Main changes resulting from the development/review process

For the suite of qualifications:

·         Wording changed to reflect culinary environment.

·         Amendments made to reflect NZQA requirements for listing, including the Qualification specifications, Award, Consistency, and Legislative Requirements

·         General conditions for programmes strengthened to better reflect Māori values, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, sustainability, programme endorsement considerations.

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3) [Ref: 2100]

·         Strategic Purpose Statement updated to show qualification support chefs across a broader range of hospitality establishments.

·         Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPOs) changed to stress cultural responsiveness, sustainable practices, and a shift from "commercial kitchen" to "culinary environment."

·         Employment Pathway clarified to show support for chefs in junior roles, preparing a variety of food products.

·         Programme Conditions changed to highlight fundamental cooking and baking techniques, and sustainability.

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) [Ref: 2101]

·         Strategic Purpose Statement shifted from preparing complex dishes to applying techniques for producing food products.

  • Graduate Profile Outcomes enhanced focus on fostering a productive culinary workplace and applying professional culinary techniques.
  • Employment Pathway updated to reflect preparing dishes to a professional standard in a culinary environment.
  • Programme Conditions strengthened and clarified coverage of dish types, service styles, and sustainability.

·         Last date of assessment for version 1 extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.

 

New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Level 5) with strands in Cookery, and Patisserie [Ref: 2102]

·         Title Change from "Cookery (Advanced)" renamed to "Culinary Practice."

  • Strategic Purpose Statement updated to describe graduates as culinary practitioners with realistic responsibilities.
  • Graduate Profile Outcomes strengthened to emphasise leadership, sustainability, and continuous improvement in culinary operations.
  • Credit structure updated to reflect the above and balanced to 60 credits each for core and strand (previously 45/75 split).
  • Strands revised to focus on dish adaptation, development, planning, and testing.
  • Employment Pathway updated to better match the new title

·         Programme Conditions strengthened, including explicit reference to compliance with Food Control Plans and sustainable management practices.

·         Last date of assessment for version 1 extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.

Review outcome

Ref:

Version

Reviewed qualification

Outcome category

New qualification details/version

(if applicable)

2100

2

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)

B-New version of qualification

2100-3

2101

2

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

B-New version of qualification

2101-3

2102

2

New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) with strands in Cookery, and Patisserie

B-New version of qualification

2102-3

New Zealand Diploma in Culinary Practice (Level 5) with strands in Cookery, and Patisserie

Qualification review outcome categories

Outcome

Result

Category

Minor changes to the qualification

Qualification version number and ID (Ref) remain the same

New review date is required

A

Moderate changes to the qualification

New qualification version number

ID (Ref) remains the same

New review date is required

B

Significant changes to the qualification

New replacement qualification with a new ID (Ref)

The existing qualification will expire

C

The qualification is no longer required by industry

The qualification will expire with no replacement

D

 

Transition information

Ref:

Version

Qualification Title (Level)

Last date of entry*

Last date of assessment

2100

2

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)

N/A

31 December 2028

2101

2

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

N/A

31 December 2028

1

New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

N/A

31 December 2026

2102

2

New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) with strands in Cookery, and Patisserie

N/A

31 December 2028

1

New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) with strands in Cookery, and Patisserie

N/A

31 December 2026

*only required for outcome category C or D

 

Any additional information

These qualifications were published in July 2025 as the result of a scheduled review. Please refer to Qualifications and Assessment Standards Approvals for further information.

It is the intention of Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council that no existing learner should be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may contact the Qualification Developer:

Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council 

PO Box 445 

Wellington 

New Zealand 

 

Phone: 04 909 0306 

Web: www.ringahora.nz 

Email: qualifications@ringahora.nz