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These pages contain the original text of the Tertiary Education Strategy documents. Only edit content if you notice the text is inconsistent with the final published document. Feel free to develop your own cross references and index structure.

The reforms will create a more strategic and coherent system through:

the development of a Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) and an associated Statement of Tertiary Education Priorities (STEP). These documents articulate the strategic direction and priorities for the system over a five-year period and demonstrate how this direction is derived from and aligned with, Government’s broader goals;
the establishment of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to give effect to the TES and the STEP through the allocation of funding and building of capability and relationships in the tertiary sector;
the introduction of charters and profiles for all tertiary education organisations. These articulate the strategic direction and activities of tertiary education organisations and show how they will contribute to developing the strategic focus and capability of the system as a whole;
the introduction of an assessment of strategic relevance as a means of determining charter and profile alignment with the TES, and thus, funding approval;
funding reforms that will support the development of system capability and focus in areas that are important to the future development of New Zealand and New Zealanders; and
better integration of the Industry Training system, the Training Opportunities and Youth Training programmes and the Adult and Community Education sector within the wider tertiary education system.

The Tertiary Education Strategy 2002–7

All agencies and tertiary education organisations within the New Zealand tertiary education system will be guided by Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy 2002–7, and by the national goals, change messages and six specific strategies contained therein.

Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) may be defined as all Tertiary Education Institutions, providers, Private Training Establishments and Industry Training Organisations. Agencies include the Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), Career Services and other government departments.

As outlined in the amendment to the Education Act 1989 in the Tertiary Education Reform Bill 2002 (clause 159AC), this STEP is based on the Tertiary Education Strategy, and is intended to set out the Government’s current priorities for the tertiary education system, which includes all forms of post-school education and training.

The Tertiary Education Commission will give effect to the STEP through a range of functions; including allocating funds and building the capability of organisations (clause 159F 1a(3)), and mechanisms; including charters and profiles.

« Ministerial Foreword | STEP1 | Section1 »