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Conclusion: This Strategy in Action

As outlined above, this Strategy is the centrepiece of a very significant reform of the tertiary education system. Its role is to articulate a clear vision of how the New Zealand tertiary education system, over the next five years, can contribute to New Zealand’s future development. It has emphasised the importance of:

the capabilities that are present in the tertiary system and the need to invest in the building of future capability;
strong relationships and connections between the tertiary system and all the sectors of New Zealand; and
all New Zealanders investing in education and succeeding in education.

It also recognises the important contribution the tertiary system needs to make to Maori development, and to New Zealand’s unique culture and identity.

It is because the tertiary system is one of New Zealand’s key strategic assets that it is vital there is strong alignment between the Government’s broader vision for the nation’s economic and social development.

This Strategy is about a new way of thinking and making connections, and as such this is a high-level document. It recognises that a modern economy is far too complex for a Government to develop a detailed or prescriptive plan. However, through the achievement of its objectives, it can ensure that the tertiary system is focused on the things that are really important to the future development of New Zealand and New Zealanders.

For example, if in five years time strong connections exist between the tertiary system and other sectors, then our people will have more relevant skills and organisations and better information and knowledge. This will support innovation and higher productivity.

If in five years time more New Zealanders have access to opportunities to build their generic and foundation skills they will be able to better participate in society and to contribute more productively through their work.

If in five years time the tertiary system better supports Maori advancement and aspirations then New Zealand will be a more prosperous and confident nation.

The TEC will be expected to play a key role in shaping the future outlined in this Strategy for the tertiary education system. Its role will be to implement particular policies and apply instruments such as charters and profiles, funding, and assessments of strategic relevance.

The new system of charters and profiles will play a key role. These will articulate the strategic focus and capabilities of individual providers and ITOs. They will provide a basis of accountability for performance and the use of taxpayers’ monies. They will help contribute to the development of a much better understanding of system capabilities and over time this will inform future policies designed to build new or better capabilities.

These changes will be supported by changes in tertiary education funding policy. This will see a shift from a demand-driven system to a much more strategic approach to funding. These changes will place greater emphasis on building capability and developing strategic relationships between providers and with other sectors. Over time some funding will be more directly linked to performance measured in terms of student achievement and research quality.

Tertiary policy will increasingly involve a ‘whole-of-Government’ focus that recognises that the capabilities that exist in a tertiary system contribute to a wide range of national development goals.

The dynamics driving our tertiary education system will change quite significantly over the next five years as these changes take effect. The present drive to compete for students will be much weaker. Rather the focus will be on building quality and strength. The system will become much less atomistic and greater collaboration and connection will become much more evident. This collaboration is likely to be seen in stronger relationships, in fewer providers, in increased specialisation and in greater differentiation and resource concentration.

The challenges ahead to achieve this vision for our nation – and for our tertiary education system – are immense. They can only be met by working together, as we seek to harness the resources of our tertiary education system to realise our shared vision for a prosperous and confident New Zealand.

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