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) and the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand 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.
Four member terms are ending during 2026. We are seeking expressions of interest for these positions.
The education system is undergoing wide-ranging changes with significant impacts on NZQA. These changes include the:
future replacement of NCEA
increased use of AI
Vocational Education and Training reform.
NZQA is also updating its quality assurance framework and is working on a major IT infrastructure replacement project.
We are looking for the following experiences and skills:
change management experience
knowledge of AI and digital transformation.
Board members have an expected 30 days per annum commitment for meeting attendance and other board business. The member fee is currently $22,680 per annum, but this is being reviewed and may increase.
ensures safe and high-quality leadership, teaching, and learning for children and young people in early childhood, primary, and secondary schooling in English-medium and Māori-medium settings, and settings of other languages, through raising the status of the profession
sets the strategic direction and empowers the Chief Executive to run the organisation on a day-to-day basis in a way that will achieve the agreed priorities
has a Code of Conduct that sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all Governing Council members.
The Education and Training Act 2020 S 479, sets out the Teaching Council’s purpose, functions, and powers.
About this role
There is one current vacancy in the membership of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (“the Council”) due to a resignation of an appointed member.
The replacement appointment will be for a term lasting to 1 July 2028.
Governance expertise and experience is required.
Ministerial appointees to the Council may also bring skills and experience any of the following areas: in education, leadership, finance and understanding of the partnership principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Member Fees are $800 per day for an expected commitment of 15-20 days per annum for ten Council meetings (February to November) as well as governance subcommittee meetings, some of which are held online.
About the TEC
The TEC:
invests over $3.8 billion each year in the tertiary education and training system to give effect to the Tertiary Education Strategy
leads the Government’s relationship with tertiary education and training providers
delivers information and supporting services to help people make decisions about careers and strengthen connections from education to employment
advises Ministers on the operational impacts of policy and the performance of tertiary education and training providers.
About the role
The Government recently launched a new Tertiary Education Strategy and has high expectations of the system as a key contributor to New Zealand’s economic performance. In 2026, the Board of the TEC will oversee:
how the TEC will give effect to the new Tertiary Education Strategy
the ongoing implementation of significant reform of the vocational education and training system.
TEC Board members have an expected 30 days per annum commitment for meeting attendance and other Board business. The member fee is $42,369 per annum, following a review of fees against the updated Cabinet Fees Framework.
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.
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.
