Hūrae | July 2025

There was plenty happening on the vocational education and training (VET) reform front this month, including our presentation to the select committee considering the draft VET legislation and nominations opening for board appointments to the new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs). This month’s pānui features a video where we highlight the Bill’s flaws and our solutions, plus new workforce development plans out for consultation and our thoughts on the Government’s new AI strategy (more work is needed!).

New Zealand faces a choice – build a skills system that responds to the world we’re moving in or entrench one built for a world we’ve already left behind.   

That was a key message in this month’s Toi Mai presentation to the select committee considering the Vocational Education and Training Amendment Bill.  

Watch Te Tumu o Toi | Toi Mai CEO Dr Claire Robinson talk about the flaws in the draft legislation and bold changes required to deliver the skills New Zealand industries need. 

The Select Committee’s report is due on 21 September 2025. 

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is inviting industry bodies to nominate representatives for appointment to the new ISBs. These boards will be in place from 1 January 2026.

Six out of eight ISB board members will come from industry. Two members will be appointed by the Vocational Education Minister.

Nominations close 29 August 2025.

Draft WDC to ISB map

See the TEC draft view of industry sector mapping from workforce development councils (WDCs) to ISBs.

ISB Establishment Advisory Groups

We are still waiting to find out who will sit on the Establishment Advisory Groups that will be responsible for ensuring each ISB can successfully stand up on 1 January 2026, including appointing a chief executive and determining an industry engagement model. 

Understanding the work-based network provisions

"Network of work-based learning provision" is the term the TEC are using for the range of provider types that they will fund for each industry sector. In other words, each sector's network of provision will be the mix of provider types it wishes to utilise to deliver its work-based learning.

Upcoming network of provision webinars

The TEC is running a series of introductory webinars for industry to explain what the network of work-based learning provision is and how you can contribute.

Register by clicking on either of the buttons below.

Setting up new private training establishments

The new model will allow work-based learning to be offered by any provider that meets the Government’s requirements (ie, institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), private training establishments (PTEs) and wānanga). It is part of the Government’s requirements that the provider is fully supported by the industries they want to deliver to. 

TEC is running a webinar in partnership with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to explain the requirements and answer any questions.

Register by clicking on the button below. 

Performing arts

Watch our short video for a quick overview of the exciting new Performing Arts Emerging Tutor micro-credential (MC). We are seeking providers to create programmes to deliver the new MC. It’s designed to help people who are supporting tutors deliver performing arts lessons, such as social circus and dance, develop their skills and empower them to take on greater responsibility.

New cultural capability service

Toi Mai has a new, free service on offer to help education providers strengthen their programmes through deeper inclusion of te reo Māori and te ao Māori. Team member Rosalie Reiri will work with providers to build internal cultural capability and develop more inclusive programmes for learners – essentially developing a practical cultural roadmap. 

We have 10 spaces available for tailored support from now until the end of the year. Email us at qualifications@toimai.nz  to secure your place. Click the button to read more.

Transfer of qualifications

Toi Mai is now the qualification developer for three Interior Décor and Design qualifications. The qualifications are: 

• New Zealand Certificate in Interior Décor (Level 4) [Ref: 3664]
• New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Residential) (Level 5) [Ref: 3665]
• New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Commercial) (Level 6) [Ref: 3666]

These were developed and recently reviewed by Ara Institute of Canterbury. If you are a provider offering any of these qualifications, and would like to update your programme, please email qualifications@toimai.nz 

All three Interior Décor and Design qualifications will transition to the Services ISB from 1 January 2026.

AI skills strategy needed

The Government’s new AI strategy is lacking when it comes to driving AI skills adoption across the workforce.  

New Zealand urgently needs a comprehensive and target-driven AI strategy. Other nations including Singapore and Australia are proactively preparing their workforces for AI driving productivity gains and job transitions, while New Zealand risks falling behind without similar strategic commitment. 

Click the button to read more. 

CreaTer Wānanga

Toi Mai participated in CreaTer Hui-a-Tau in early July, the annual event for New Zealand creative arts educators. This was an opportunity for us to follow up on an earlier hui that focused on the screen sector and expand the conversation about vocational and work-based training for the wider creative sector. 

We offered a preview of research commissioned by Toi Mai that highlights the mismatch between our highly productive creative sector and the way people develop and use their creative skills training and education. The research will be released later this year. 

Big Screen Symposium

Toi Mai also attended the annual Big Screen Symposium in July, with over 500 attendees. We had a sneak peek of the next wave of New Zealand films coming to your screen shortly, including Holy Days, the film that was the vehicle for the Kahurangi Toi Ātea work-based learning pilot that Toi Mai partnered in. The NZIFF programme is out now. Click the button to read more.