Field   Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Review of Equine New Zealand qualification

Reviewed qualification

Ref	Version	Title	Level
4221	2	New Zealand Certificate in Equine Racing (Level 4) with strands in Thoroughbred Racing Jockey, Harness Trainer, and Harness Racing Driver	95-120

Review information

Qualification Developer	Muka Tangata Workforce Development Council
Reason for the review	To add a new strand
Review date	March 2025
Outcome date	July 2025
Next review date	July 2030

Summary of review and consultation process

There has been more interest in riders wanting training as jumps jockeys. NZ Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) had discussions with industry personnel on jumps jockey roles. The industry was concerned about safety and lack of standardisation for training.

A Working Group made up of industry personnel including a jumps jockey, a jumps jockey representative, the NZTR Head of Education, and the training provider was convened in March 2025 to determine requirements for the jumps jockey role.

As there were GPOs in common with the core GPOs of the New Zealand Certificate in Equine Racing (Level 4) with strands in Thoroughbred Racing Jockey, Harness Trainer, and Harness Racing Driver [Ref: 4221], it was proposed that the Jumps Jockey GPOs would fit best within this qualification as a new strand.

The revised qualification was sent out to the wider industry for consultation in April 2025.  Minor changes were received, considered by the Working Group, and incorporated where relevant.

For the existing strands, targeted consultation was carried out in September 2024 with industry representatives from Harness Racing NZ (HRNZ) and NZ Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), and providers.  NZTR also liaised with Equestrian Sports NZ (ESNZ) so their feedback was captured through the NZTR. 

Feedback in 2024 and from further targeted consultation in April 2025 indicated that industry were happy with the existing qualification strands, they were working well, fit for purpose, no changes were required, and there was no need to engage in a formal review of the strands at this stage.

Main changes resulting from the development/review process

A new Thoroughbred Racing Jumps Jockey strand and associated Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPO 5 & 6) were added.

Total qualification credits increased from 95-120 to 95 – 125 to reflect the new strand.

GPO 1 updated to remove ‘in a racing context’.

Purpose statement, and education and employment pathways were updated.

Minor updates for currency included qualification award, consistency and general conditions for programmes, including endorsement information, were made.

Review outcome

Ref:	Version	Qualification Title	Outcome category	New qualification ID/version (as applicable)
4221	2	New Zealand Certificate in Equine Racing (Level 4) with strands in Thoroughbred Racing Jockey, Harness Trainer, and Harness Racing Driver New Zealand Certificate in Equine Racing (Level 4) with strands in Thoroughbred Racing Jockey, Thoroughbred Racing Jumps Jockey, Harness Trainer, and Harness Racing Driver	B-New version of qualification	4221-3

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. Ref/ID remains the same. New review date is required.	B
Significant changes to the qualification	New replacement qualification with a new Ref/ID 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	Last date of entry*	Last date of assessment
4221	2	New Zealand Certificate in Equine Racing (Level 4) with strands in Thoroughbred Racing Jockey, Harness Trainer, and Harness Racing Driver	N/A	31 December 2027

*Only required or Category C or D

Any additional information, including Qualification Developer contact details.

It is intended that no existing learners will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may contact:

Muka Tangata – People, Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council.

PO Box 445

Wellington

Email: qualifications@mukatangata.nz

Web: www.mukatangata.nz

Phone: (04) 909 0288