We manage the process of appointments to a number of Crown entities, statutory boards and advisory groups on behalf of the responsible Ministers. These are important governance roles where members can make a real difference to education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Expressions of interest for appointment to education sector boards in 2026#

The Minister of Education will be making appointments to the board of New Zealand Qualification Authority | Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa (NZQA) in 2026.

The Minister for Vocational Education is seeking expressions of interest for appointment to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in 2026.

We are seeking expressions of interest in these appointments. The appointments are expected to be for 3-year terms, with the possibility of reappointment.

Experience and skills #

We are looking for the following experience and skills across each of these boards: 

• governance or leadership experience
• knowledge about the education system, and the roles of these entities in the system
• finance and risk expertise
• other relevant skills and experience that contribute to well-functioning boards.

How to apply#

Include your cover letter and current CV in your expression of interest. 

Email your documents to [email protected].

Use the same email to request further details about these roles and if you have any questions.

Closing dates

Send your documents to us by the following dates:

• NZQA: 20 January 2026
• TEC: 28 January 2026.

Security screening

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service may be asked to conduct national security screening of candidates as part of the appointment processes.

Board member roles#

Board appointments we assist with#

We support Ministers to make appointments to boards of the following education system entities.

Education New Zealand

Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

New Zealand Council for Educational Research

New Zealand Qualifications Authority

The Correspondence School – Te Kura

Tertiary Education Commission

Pacific Education Foundation

Ōtaki and Porirua Trusts Board

Ministerial advisory groups#

We also assist with appointments to a number of Ministerial advisory groups.

Statutory appointments are made by the responsible Minister, or the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible Minister. The Minister must present candidates to the Cabinet Appointment and Honours Committee.

Cabinet Appointment and Honours Committee – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

If you've been nominated for a position, the outcome of the process can't be confirmed until after appointments have been considered by the Cabinet Appointment and Honours Committee and Cabinet. This is likely to take up to 6 months from when your nomination was submitted.

Public servants aren't usually appointed to statutory boards.

More information is available in the Cabinet Office circular CO(02) 5: Appointment of Public Servants to Statutory Boards.

Circular CO (02) 5 – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Fees#

Board members are paid fees according to the board's roles and responsibilities.

Education Crown board fees are set by Ministers using the Cabinet Fees Framework. In July 2025, Cabinet agreed to implement a revised Fees Framework.

CO (25) 2 - Cabinet fees framework for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet