"I gained NZQA qualifications in 1991 - Two years later I found that the NZQA rated those qualifications as useless because they did not fit into their new framework structure. I undertook a topnz course NZCE level 2 - NZQA has since completion refused to issue me with my certificate even though they have issued me with confirmation that all subjects were completed and passed. I live in OZ now - Stuff NZ." - 5 March 2007, P.S., Australia.
"same problem with bachelor degree of middlesex university." - 19 February 2007, anonymous.
"Was intrigued that you did not ask the NZQA to assess your degree before you ventured south, but trust your experiences were not all negative here. As regards the Oxbridge \'Masters\' degree, do you simply use that designation or do graduates give their \'Bachelor\' degree as well? It seems to me that NZQA are taking the view that no further study has been undertaken after the undergrad award and thus the higher degree should not be considered. Do any other Universities save Oxbridge have the same system? Regards" - 18 January 2007, H.L., New Zealand.
"Bumbber you had a shit time with NZQA.
My story is similar to you. I have just come over from Australia as New Zealand recognised my Australian teachers registration. Unfortunately to
have my salary assessed I have to go through NZQA which is a nightmare!!" - 27 July 2004, R. R., Christchurch, New Zealand.
"Nice placement of your site there to bring attention to the shortfalls of our government departments and policies..! One result of an overgrown socialist government and too much policy drafted by naive 'policy
analysts'.
Similar story in England too perhaps where immigration is happy to
accept highly qualified people - who on good premise, immigrate and then
discover their qualifications are not recognised by some standards
authority. Many of my taxi drivers are better educated than I :).
Trust the visit to NZ was otherwise memorable for the right reasons" - 19 July 2004, B.P., UK.
"Funny old thing I was searching the web for information about a course I was going to offer at school and came across your site.
What I find amazing is that the government of NZ is actively recruiting teachers from the UK even as I type this. Teachers in the UK have experience, qualifications and past industry experience that add up to the number of "years" teaching and allocated a scale of pay. This indicates their abilities eg threshold. Yet when you arrive in NZ none of this counts - you have to go back and forward to payserve and NZQA to get the correct salary and even then this is not always the case.
My point is - if they want UK teachers why not accept the main scale they were on in the UK and transfer this across to the NZ scale in years. You would have many more happy UK teachers willing to stay on and then maybe the NZ govt would not have to spend so much money recruiting every year.
Of 11 teachers that have started from the UK in the school I started in this year only 1 is being paid as expected. Sad really beacause the live style and friendliness of the local population is a great experience and one I would like to be able to relax stop worrying and enjoy." - 6 March 2004, J.N., New Zealand.
"You made one mistake, you should have taken a course in Maori basket weaving or cultural dance because NZQA does offer diplomas in these areas.You need to live in a country that believes in and supports a classical education Maaaate, ie NZ brain drain." - 25 July 2003, S.S., New Zealand.
"Having read your story at your website and having studied as a mature student in NZ, I have received my record of study from the NZQA and it is incomplete. This experience is not unusual. I have contacted them via e-mail (weeks ago) - no response. This and other experiences I and others I studied with, have had with the tertiary education system in NZ leads me to the conclusion that the NZQA needs to clean up its act before it starts making sweeping judgements about qualifications from educational institutions in countries which should clearly be acceptable here. As far as I know, the NZQA is not representative of the opinion of the real people who live here. I hope life is going well for you in NZ." - 14 April 2003, G.O., New Zealand.
"you are great, at least you are somebody doing somethings to share with all the victim." - 21 October 2002, F.F..
"Its sad to know that such thing happened with you, imagine it happened with many people in the past and they all could not do any thing but accepted the verdict from the authority. The nz immigration visa officers are worst than the one you have mentioned.they are uneducated may be 5th or 7th form passed may be. I know a person who has masters degree and all work experience all genuine but the visa officer rejected the application after giving passing mark because the lady officer felt that the client was rude while appearing for an interview- reason- she dragged the case for two years,obviously the client got upset over the issue." - 17 August 2002, P. R., India.
"I was fooled with and just unfairly treated by NZQA, could you please let me know to which organisation I can complain about it ? Thanks !" - 11 June 2002, R., New Zealand.
"Hello I have been in NZ for four years , I am now
in the process of study for my teaching diploma (secondary) .The entry
criteria for this course is an advanced trade certificate, I have a City
& Guilds Certificate
( distinction ) in Yacht and Boat building that took two years full time
to obtain.
NZQA have only accepted this as a trade cert !
If I have to take another exam I am not allowed to see past papers or
know what the exam will be on .
The exam result will not be recognised as I did not take a TRADE
CERTIFICATE in NZ.
I know of three other people having to fight NZQA one of whom is a registerd teacher, the others all recent immigrants like myself who
genuinely want to work in the teaching profession and have the relevent
skills to do so.
I am pleased that there are other people out there in the same situation as me that are making themselves heard. Have you any advice for a very
frustrated would be technology teacher who loves teaching ." - 4 June 2002, N. B., New Zealand.
"I have a Higher Diploma in Education from South Africa (which is a 4-year diploma). NZQA has assessed this qualification as equivalent to a New Zealand Diploma in Teaching + 1 year additional study. The MOE is paying me according to this assessment, which is G1/10.
Friends of mine who studied with me have had their qualifications assessed as equivalent to a NZ Diploma in Education plus 2/3 of a degree, which has resulted in them being paid on a higher scale (G2/10). The difference in salary is about $3 000 p.a.
I am aware of 2 people whose NZQA assessment is exactly the same as mine, but are getting paid on the G2/10 scale.
I have approached the MOE about getting my salary scale adjusted accordingly, but they are firm in their belief that I am being paid on the correct scale. They have requested the names of the people who are being paid on the higher scale and have warned that their salaries could drop as a result, which I do believe is bullying tactics.
I am taking up the matter with NZQA, but how do I get the MOE to adjust my salary and accept that NZQA is fallible/subjective?
We are interested in how you got MOE to adjust your salary scale without NZQA changing your assessment." - 25 April 2002, P. & Z., New Zealand.
"I am in total agreement of your points. I can understand them shunting aside my requirements, but one from Oxford, they have another thing coming." - 23 October 2001, H.A., New Zealand.
"I can relate to you very well. As an immigrant myself, we felt the same thing about NZQA. They fooled us. They gave us false hope. The embassy approved our papers based on our professional qualification. Upon arriving here same story....NZQA won't recognise it. This is crazy....they reckon they are the best.....Wishing you well and we will pray for you..." - 9 October 2001, N.D., New Zealand.