• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Understanding NZ Qualification (NZQF)

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Whether you’re studying at secondary or tertiary level, it’s a good idea to check that your study programme will lead towards a qualification on the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF), because this means it’s quality assured.
Qualifications on the NZQF lay out a clear pathway to the level of knowledge and skills that you’ll have gained when you graduate, as well as what further education and employment opportunities the qualification could lead to.

Levels of the NZQF

The NZQF is divided into 10 levels, and covers a range of qualifications from certificates to doctoral degrees. The levels are based on how complex the learning is, with a level 1 certificate the least complex.
At secondary school, students work towards NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement), which covers levels 1 to 3 of the NZQF.
After secondary school, students who want to continue their study at a tertiary level can choose from a number of education options ranging from universities to polytechnics, private training establishments, industry training organisations and more. Students may need to finish secondary school to study at this level.

1. Basic general and/or foundation knowledge
Skills
• Apply basic solutions to simple problems
• Apply basic skills required to carry out simple tasks

Application
• Highly structured contexts
• requiring some responsibility for own learning
• Interacting with others

2. Basic factual and/or operational knowledge of a field of work or study
Skills
• Apply known solutions to familiar problems
• Apply standard processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• General supervision
• Requiring some responsibility for own learning and performance Collaborating with others

3. Some operational and theoretical knowledge in a field of work or study
Skills
• Select and apply from a range of known solutions to familiar problems
• Apply a range of standard processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• Limited supervision
• Requiring major responsibility for own learning and performance
• Adapting own behaviour when interacting with others
• Contributing to group performance

4. Broad operational and theoretical knowledge in a field of work or study
Skills
• Select and apply solutions to familiar and sometimes unfamiliar problems
• Select and apply a range of standard and non-standard processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• Self-management of learning and performance under broad guidance
• Some responsibility for performance of others

5. Broad operational or technical and theoretical knowledge within a specific field of work or study
Skills
• Select and apply a range of solutions to familiar and sometimes unfamiliar problems
• Select and apply a range of standard and non-standard processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• Complete self-management of learning and performance within defined contexts
• Some responsibility for the management of learning and performance of others

6. Specialised technical or theoretical knowledge with depth in a field of work or study
Skills
• Analyse and generate solutions to familiar and unfamiliar problems
• Select and apply a range of standard and non-standard processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• Complete self-management of learning and performance within dynamic contexts
• Responsibility for leadership within dynamic contexts

7. Specialised technical or theoretical knowledge with depth in one or more fields of work or study
Skills
• Analyse, generate solutions to unfamiliar and sometimes complex problems
• Select, adapt and apply a range of processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• Advanced generic skills and/or specialist knowledge and skills in a professional context or field of study

8. Advanced technical and/or theoretical knowledge in a discipline or practice, involving a critical understanding of the underpinning key principles
Skills
• Analyse, generate solutions to complex and sometimes unpredictable problems
• Evaluate and apply a range of processes relevant to the field of work or study

Application
• Developing identification with a profession and/or discipline through application of advanced generic skills and/or specialist knowledge and skills
• Some responsibility for integrity of profession or discipline

9. Highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of knowledge, and a critical awareness of issues in a field of study or practice
Skills
• Develop and apply new skills and techniques to existing or emerging problems
• Mastery of the field of study or practice to an advanced level

Application
• Independent application of highly specialised knowledge and skills within a discipline or professional practice
• Some responsibility for leadership within the profession or discipline

What you’ll get once you complete a qualification

Here are the components you’ll receive after completing a qualification on the NZQF:

1. A certificate of your achievement: Provided to you by your education organisation, this shows you’ve achieved a level of learning and understanding that’s outlined in the outcome statement for the qualification.

2. Addition of the qualification onto your Record of Achievement: If your qualification is listed on the NZQF, it will be added to your Record of Achievement. Your Record of Achievement has all the quality-assured (NZQF-listed) learning you’ve completed, and will be updated with each new qualification you complete.

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