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Qualifications and Standards

Our standard-setting responsibilities

Hanga-Aro-Rau was responsible for setting the national standards that define the skills, knowledge, and competencies required across New Zealand’s manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and related industries. 

Our responsibilities included:

  • developing and maintaining unit standards and skill standards that reflected current and future industry needs
  • developing qualifications and micro-credentials that supported workforce development and career progression
  • collaborating with industry, providers, and regulatory bodies to ensure all standard-setting was practical, relevant, and future-focused 

Through this mahi, we helped ensure vocational education was aligned with industry needs, responsive to change, and delivered real value to learners, employers, and the economy of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

What you can find on this page

  1. Design and review process
  2. Active qualification and standard-setting projects
  3. Change report bulletins

Design and review process

Hanga-Aro-Rau used a development process to work alongside industry, providers, and associated stakeholders to develop qualifications, standards, and micro-credentials.

The stages in this model were used to show progress throughout each review Hanga-Aro-Rau undertook.
(Image of process)

Active qualification and standard-setting projects

Project and qualification titleQual refReview to be started byProject statusMilestone
New Zealand Certificate in Mines Rescue 278431/12/2022 Work in progressStage 4: change and feedback cycle with stakeholders
New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Diesel Fuel Technology 345431/05/2024 Work in progressStage 1: Internal project team activation
New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Wheel Alignment 405731/07/2024 Due to startStage 2: Consultation with industry, training providers
New Zealand Certificate in Fellmongery and Leather Processing 248630/11/2024 Work in progressStage 4: change and feedback cycle with stakeholders
New Zealand Certificate in Fellmongery and Leather Processing 249230/11/2024 Work in progressStage 4: change and feedback cycle with stakeholders
New Zealand Diploma in Leather Processing (Technology) 249430/11/2024 Work in progressStage 4: Change and feedback cycle with stakeholders
New Zealand Certificate in Supply Chain Management 281131/03/2025Work in progressStage 6: Submission to NZQA
New Zealand Diploma in Supply Chain Management 281231/03/2025Work in progressStage 6: Submission to NZQA
New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade Assistant) 236531/03/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, stakeholders
New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade) 236631/03/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, stakeholders
New Zealand Certificate in Drilling 262131/03/2025Due to startStage 1: Activate internal project team
New Zealand Certificate in Drilling 262231/03/2025Due to startStage 1: Activate internal project team
New Zealand Certificate in Drilling 262331/03/2025Due to startStage 1: Activate internal project team
New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Restricted Limits) 250530/06/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, training providers
New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing 250630/06/2025Work in progressStage 5: Industry endorsement
New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing 250830/06/2025Work in progressStage 5: Industry endorsement
New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing 251130/06/2025Work in progressStage 5: Industry endorsement
New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Train Manager) 288530/06/2025Work in progressStage 1: Activate internal project team
New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Train Driver) 288630/06/2025Work in progressStage 1: Activate internal project team
New Zealand Certificate in Coachbuilding 422530/07/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Certificate in Coachbuilding 422630/07/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Certificate in Dairy Processing 426830/09/2025Work in progressStage 1:Activate internal project team
New Zealand Certificate in Dairy Processing Engineering 426630/09/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Dairy Processing Engineering 426730/09/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Yacht Rig Structures 312630/11/2025Work in progressStage 7: NZQA reviewer assigned
New Zealand Certificate in Meat Processing and Meat Product Manufacturing (Halal) 249330/11/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Fire Detection and Alarm Systems 257530/11/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing 272930/11/2025Proposed deferralTo be reviewed 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing 273030/11/2025Proposed deferralTo be reviewed 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing 273130/11/2025Proposed deferralTo be reviewed 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Manufacturing 273230/11/2025Proposed deferralTo be reviewed 2026
New Zealand Diploma in Meat Processing Operations 301631/12/2025Work in progressProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Certificate in Marine Engineering Class 5 432131/12/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Certificate in Power Boat Rigging 384731/12/2025Work in progressStage 7: NZQA reviewer assigned
New Zealand Certificate in Power Boat Systems Servicing and Repair (Technician) 384831/12/2025Work in progressStage 7: NZQA reviewer assigned
New Zealand Diploma in Dairy Processing 227031/12/2025Work in progressStage 1: Internal project team activated
New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Operations 251231/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry training providers
New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Operations 251331/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, training providers
New Zealand Diploma in Yacht Operations 251631/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, training providers
New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Coastal and Offshore) 289231/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, providers
New Zealand Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing 196731/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing 196931/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing 197331/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Timber Machining 197431/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Crewing 289531/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, training providers
New Zealand Certificate in Wood Manufacturing 230931/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Wood Handling and Distribution 231031/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Finger Jointing 231131/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Saw Doctoring 231331/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Wood Panel Manufacturing 240531/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Wood Panel Manufacturing 240631/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Composite Wood Panel Manufacturing 240731/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Sawmilling 240931/12/2025Due to startDue to begin 2025. Handover to ISB 2026
New Zealand Certificate in Passive Fire Protection Installation 411031/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, providers
New Zealand Certificate in Rail Yard Operations 432731/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, providers
New Zealand Diploma in Marine Engineering 251431/12/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Diploma in Nautical Science 251531/12/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Operations Centre) 432831/12/2025Work in progressStage 2: Consultation with industry, providers
New Zealand Certificate in Dairy Systems (Engineering) 256131/12/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Building Services (Trade) 271731/12/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Locksmithing (Trade) 271831/12/2025Work in progressStage 1: Internal project team activation
New Zealand Certificate in Fishing Vessel Crewing 289131/12/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Diploma in Fishing Vessel Operations 289331/12/2025Due to startProposed extension to review date. Industry consultation underway
New Zealand Diploma in Marine Electro-technology 289431/12/2025Due to start-
New Zealand Certificate in Marine Systems 312431/12/2025Due to start-

Contact

This information reflects the role and functions of Workforce Development Councils before their disestablishment in December 2025. Details about the new Industry Skills Bodies (ISBs), will be added once confirmed. If you have questions or would like more information about any of the content on this site, please contact the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC):
Freephone: 0800 601 301
Email: [email protected]