Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 3)

Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 3)

Government Bill

239—1

Explanatory note

General policy statement

The Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act) establishes and regulates an education system that—

  • provides New Zealanders with the skills, knowledge, and capabilities that they need to fully participate in the labour market and their communities; and

  • supports their health, safety, and well-being; and

  • assures the quality of the education provided; and

  • honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Māori-Crown relationships.

The Act was enacted in August 2020 and repealed and replaced previous education and training legislation with a simpler and more user-friendly legislative framework. The purpose of the Bill is to make amendments across a range of matters in the Act to give effect to new policy decisions and to make other minor and technical changes.

Changes to governance framework for wānanga

The Bill amends the Act to—

  • establish a new framework for wānanga that better recognises the mana and rangatiratanga of wānanga, and the unique role that wānanga play in the tertiary education system. The Bill does this by enabling existing wānanga, by Order in Council, to either—

    • reconstitute themselves as a Crown entity wānanga, with bespoke purpose, functions, and governance arrangements; or

    • convert to a non-Crown entity wānanga (that is primarily accountable to iwi, hapū, or another Māori organisation while retaining some accountability to the Crown, and has a bespoke purpose, functions, and governance arrangements):

  • clearly articulate the characteristics that define wānanga collectively, set out establishment and disestablishment provisions for wānanga, set out requirements for what must, and may, be covered within an Order in Council, and provide for new accountability and monitoring arrangements for non-Crown entity wānanga.

The Bill also provides for appropriate transition arrangements.

Changes to school board ineligibility criteria

The Bill amends the Act to—

  • supplement the current school board ineligibility criteria with the standards set out for core children’s workers in the Children’s Act 2014 so that those convicted of a specified offence identified in Schedule 2 of that Act are ineligible to serve on a school board unless an exemption has been approved by the Secretary for Education (the Secretary), who has to be satisfied that the person would not pose an undue risk to the safety of children:

  • enable the Secretary to conduct audits on school board members to determine whether they meet eligibility requirements:

  • require board members to permit the Secretary to obtain any relevant information to enable the Secretary to conduct the audit. A refusal to provide permission for the Secretary to obtain the relevant information for such a check would result in the board member’s removal from office.

Early childhood education equity index data

The Bill amends the Act to permit the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) to access early childhood education (ECE) data from Statistics New Zealand’s integrated data infrastructure to enable the Ministry to develop an Equity Index based on accurate socio-economic information. This addresses an issue where the Data and Statistics Act 2022 restricts the Ministry from disclosing data related to private organisations such as ECE services. This information is required to implement the new equity index for ECE services.

Changes to school board election processes

The Bill amends the Act to update the provisions relating to school board elections to ensure board elections better meet the needs of their school communities and support increased participation, including by—

  • moving the timing of mid-term elections from March 2024 back to their usual timing in November 2023 to support efficient election processes:

  • updating the criteria for co-opting and appointing board members to reflect today’s school communities, by adding the genders, sexualities and sexes of the school’s students and of the school community, and disabled students at the school and the school’s disability community:

  • removing the requirement that prevents schools from filling a student representative position if one is not elected at the annual election. This ensures that schools have the chance to fill the vacancy and do not have to carry the vacancy for 12 months until the next election.

Separating Kura Kaupapa Māori and designated character schools establishment provisions

The Bill amends the establishment provisions for Kura Kaupapa Māori, which have been treated as designated character schools since 2017, prior to which they were a distinct type of State school with separate establishment provisions. Classifying Kura Kaupapa Māori as designated character schools fails to reflect the status of Kura Kaupapa Māori consistently with other provisions throughout the Act, and these amendments restore their status to the previous position.

Ensuring employers assess Police vets for non-teaching employees and contractors

The Bill amends the Act to ensure employers of licensed early childhood services and schools consider Police vets for non-teaching employees and contractors, and assess any risk to the safety of children before those employees and contractors begin work or have unsupervised access to children.

Five year term appointments for chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu

The Bill amends the Act to restrict the appointment of the chief executive for Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) to a term of up to 5 years, with the ability to reappoint for further terms. As Te Kura is more similar in scale of operation and revenue to a tertiary institution than to a State school, stronger accountability levers should be applied.

University and wānanga annual reports to publish chief executive and employee remuneration of $100,000 or more

The Bill amends the Act to require university and wānanga annual reports to include information about employee, former employee, and chief executive remuneration of $100,000 per annum or more. This will be reported in brackets of $10,000 and excludes high compensation and other benefits. This will improve transparency by making the data readily available to the public. It will also make university and wānanga remuneration reporting consistent with that of Crown entities, including Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, schools, and companies, which are required to publish remuneration information in their annual reports.

Term of office of council members of Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology

The Bill amends the Act to ensure that the governing council members of Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology can remain in their positions until they are either reappointed or replaced. This aligns the term of office provisions for Te Pūkenga with other Crown entities such as universities and ensures that if there is a lag between the term of one council member ending and another beginning, the council will still have a quorum to make decisions.

Other amendments

The Bill also makes a number of minor and technical amendments to strengthen the governance and management of the education system, including—

  • amending section 527(2)(c) to update a reference and section 528(1)(b) to insert a missing cross-reference:

  • repealing section 535A(7), which incorrectly declares a notice made by the Minister appointing an administrator for the code for domestic tertiary students, the code for international students, or a code that covers both, to be secondary legislation.

Departmental disclosure statement

The Ministry of Education is required to prepare a disclosure statement to assist with the scrutiny of this Bill. The disclosure statement provides access to information about the policy development of the Bill and identifies any significant or unusual legislative features of the Bill.

Regulatory impact statement

The Ministry of Education produced regulatory impact statements on 6 March 2023 to help inform the main policy decisions taken by the Government relating to the contents of this Bill.

Clause by clause analysis

Clause 1 is the Title clause.

Clause 2 relates to commencement of the Bill and provides that—

  • clause 38(2) to (4) (amendments to clauses 9 and 12 of Schedule 23) comes into force on the day that is 6 months after the date on which the Bill receives the Royal assent:

  • the rest of the Bill comes into force on the day after the date on which the Bill receives the Royal assent.

Clause 3 provides that the Bill amends the Education and Training Act 2020 (the principal Act).

Part 1Amendments to principal Act relating to wānanga

Part 1 sets out the main amendments to the principal Act to give effect to the enabling framework for wānanga.

Clause 4 amends section 9, which refers to the provisions of the principal Act that recognise and respect the Crown’s responsibility to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The amendment expands section 9(1)(f) to refer to new Part 4A, which sets out provisions that apply to wānanga.

Clause 5 amends section 266, which sets out the object of the provisions of the Act relating to institutions. The amendment inserts a reference to new Part 4A, which sets out provisions in respect of wānanga.

Clause 6 amends section 268, which concerns the establishment of institutions. The amendments remove provisions that refer to wānanga as a consequence of new Part 4A and also renumber a provision.

Clause 7 replaces section 271, which provides that institutions are to be governed by councils. New section 271 provides that the governing body of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is its council constituted in accordance with the order establishing the institution under new Part 4A. The amendment also clarifies that references to the council of this type of wānanga are references to its governing body.

Clause 8 amends section 272, which clarifies that the institutions under Part 4 of the principal Act (universities, existing wānanga established under section 268, and Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) are bodies corporate. The amendment inserts a reference to wānanga that are established under new Part 4A.

Clause 9 inserts new Part 4A (new sections 398A to 398ZF), which sets out provisions that apply to wānanga and to persons who wish to establish wānanga.

New section 398A provides an outline of new Part 4A.

New section 398B sets out the purpose of new Part 4A.

Preliminary matters (subpart 1 of new Part 4A)

New section 398C provides that new Part 4A applies to certain institutions that are wānanga and disapplies certain existing provisions in the principal Act in respect of those wānanga.

New section 398D outlines the characteristics of wānanga.

Administration of wānanga that are Crown entities (subpart 2 of new Part 4A)

New section 398E provides that the Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister of Education (the Minister), establish a wānanga as an institution that is a Crown entity.

New section 398F provides for the appointment of members to the council of a wānanga that is a Crown entity.

New section 398G provides that certain people may not be appointed to the council of a wānanga that is a Crown entity.

New section 398H provides that the council of a wānanga that is a Crown entity may make statutes relating to the appointment of members.

New section 398I provides that wānanga that are Crown entities may be converted to wānanga that are not Crown entities.

Administration of wānanga that are not Crown entities (subpart 3 of new Part 4A)

New section 398J provides that the Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, establish a wānanga as an institution that is not a Crown entity.

New section 398K provides for the appointment of members to the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New section 398L provides that certain people may not be appointed to the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New section 398M provides that a person who is a council member of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity may be appointed as a council member of another institution.

New section 398N provides that the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity may make statutes relating to the appointment of members.

New section 398O provides that the acts and proceedings of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity are not invalidated by certain defects.

New section 398P provides for the amendment of constitutions of wānanga that are not Crown entities.

New section 398Q provides that the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is not a local authority for the purposes of the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968.

New section 398R provides that a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is a public office for the purposes of the Public Records Act 2005.

New section 398S provides that a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is a public entity as defined in section 4 of the Public Audit Act 2001.

New section 398T provides that certain office holders and employees of wānanga that are not Crown entities are officials for the purposes of sections 105 and 105A of the Crimes Act 1961.

New section 398U provides that a council member of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, or a council committee member, who has an interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the council or the committee must disclose the nature of the interest.

New section 398V provides that a member of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity may be paid fees and reimbursed for certain expenses.

New section 398W provides that a council member of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is not personally liable for any act done or omitted by the council member or by the council in good faith and in the performance or intended performance of the functions of the wānanga or of the council.

New section 398X provides that any real or personal property held upon trust by a wānanga that is not a Crown entity must be dealt with in accordance with the powers and duties of the wānanga as trustee.

Disestablishment of wānanga (subpart 4 of new Part 4A)

New section 398Y provides that the Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, disestablish a wānanga.

New section 398Z provides that new sections 398ZA to 398ZF apply if a wānanga is established.

New section 398ZA provides that the disestablished wānanga and its council cease to exist.

New section 398ZB sets out the entitlements of certain persons for certain awards.

New section 398ZC provides for the vesting of the property of disestablished wānanga.

New section 398ZD concerns the treatment of certain contracts, instruments, and proceedings.

New section 398ZE provides for the continuation of disestablished wānanga for certain purposes

New section 398ZF provides that, if a wānanga is disestablished, any surplus assets vested in certain iwi or Māori may only be used for a public or charitable purpose to advance Māori tertiary education.

Clause 10 amends section 405, which sets out the responsibilities of the chief executive of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in respect of monitoring and reporting on institutions. The amendments insert new section 405(2) and (3) to take into account institutions that are wānanga that are not Crown entities.

Clause 11 amends section 424, which sets out the criteria for assessing proposed plans. The amendment inserts new section 424(2)(e) which expands the criteria by providing that the assessment must include how the activities of wānanga support the functions and purposes of the wānanga.

Clause 12 amends section 574, which sets out requirements relating to taxes and duties where a disestablished institution is incorporated into another institution. The amendments adjust section 574 to take account of the effect of disestablishing a wānanga set out in new section 398Z.

Clause 13 amends section 575, which sets out requirements relating to taxes and duties in other cases. The amendments adjust section 575 to take account of the effect of disestablishing a wānanga set out in new section 398Z.

Clause 14 inserts new section 575A, which sets out requirements relating to taxes and duties where the assets and liabilities of a disestablished institution are vested in iwi or Māori.

Clause 15 replaces section 611(3), which currently requires the council of an institution to agree the conditions of employment of the chief executive of the institution with the Public Service Commissioner before they are finalised or amended. The main change is set out in new section 611(3)(a), which provides that, in the case of a wānanga that is a Crown entity, the council of the wānanga must consult the Public Service Commissioner before finalising or amending the terms and conditions of employment of its chief executive.

Clause 16 amends Schedule 11, which concerns the councils of institutions. The amendments adjust the schedule heading and clauses 1, 2, and 11 to account for some of the provisions regarding wānanga set out in new Part 4A.

Part 2Other amendments to principal Act

Part 2 makes minor, technical, and related amendments to other provisions of the principal Act.

Clause 17 amends section 5(6)(c) to provide that, before issuing a statement of national education and learning priorities under that section, the Minister must consult national bodies that have a particular role in respect of the character of Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Clause 18 amends section 10, which defines terms used in the principal Act. The amendments—

  • adjust paragraph (b) of the definition of domestic student in section 10(1) and make a related amendment to section 10(2). The changes reinstate the requirement for a holder of a residence class visa to satisfy criteria prescribed by regulations made under section 10(2) in order to meet the definition. This requirement was inadvertently omitted when the Education Act 1989 was replaced by the principal Act:

  • replace the current definition of wānanga to take account of the provisions set out in new Part 4A:

  • insert a new definition of the term Kura Kaupapa Māori:

  • insert a new definition of the term Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga:

  • insert new section 10(4A), which clarifies that the phrase iwi or Māori in new Part 4A and new Part 5 of Schedule 1 includes an organisation, an entity, or a body authorised to act on behalf of the iwi or Māori concerned.

Clause 19 inserts new section 94A, which provides that the chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu may be appointed for a term of not more than 5 years, but may be reappointed for 1 or more terms.

Clause 20 amends section 115, which relates to when State schools must be open, to remove a redundant reference to Schedule 21 (which was repealed on 1 January 2023) and to insert a specific reference to the regulation-making power in section 638 relating to when State schools must be open.

Clause 21 amends section 189, which provides an overview of the classifications and types of State schools, to insert a specific reference to Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Clauses 22 to 24 amend or replace sections 201, 203, 204, and 205 of the principal Act, which relate to Kura Kaupapa Māori and designated character schools. The effect of the amendments is to provide separate provisions relating to designation by the Minister of a State school as a Kura Kaupapa Māori or as a designated character school. The amendments restore the status of Kura Kaupapa Māori in the principal Act as a distinct type of State school, as was previously set out in the Education Act 1989.

Clause 25 amends section 306, which requires an institution to provide the Minister with an annual report on its operations during the previous academic year. The amendments insert new section 306(4)(g) and (10), which provides that the annual report of a university or wānanga must include a statement of the number of employees (including the chief executive) or former employees of the university or wānanga who have received remuneration of $100,000 or more (excluding compensation or other benefits) and the number of those employees or former employees in each bracket of remuneration in $10,000 increments.

Clause 26 amends section 323, which relates to the term of office of members of Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology’s council. The amendment inserts new section 323(3), which clarifies that, if a member’s term of office expires before their successor is appointed, the member continues in office until their successor’s appointment takes effect.

Clause 27 amends section 527, which sets out requirements that private training establishments must comply with before enrolling international students. The amendment updates the reference in section 527(2)(c) to a training scheme with a reference to an approved micro-credential for consistency with other provisions of the principal Act.

Clause 28 amends section 528(1)(b), which provides that NZQA may exempt micro-credentials for the purposes of section 527. The amendment inserts a missing cross-reference to section 525(2)(b).

Clause 29 amends section 535A, which provides that the Minister may appoint a person or an agency to be responsible for administering the code for domestic tertiary students, the code for international students, or a code that covers both. The amendment repeals section 535A(7), which incorrectly declares a notice made by the Minister appointing a code administrator to be secondary legislation.

Clause 30 amends section 540, which states how the funds arising from an export education levy imposed by regulations made under section 641 may be applied. The amendments—

  • repeal section 540(5), which requires the agency responsible for the administration of the levy (currently, the Ministry of Education (the Ministry)) to present to the Minister an annual report on the administration of the levy and requires the Minister to present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives; and

  • adjust a cross-reference in section 540(6); and

  • renumber section 540(6) (as amended) as section 540(5).

Clause 31 inserts new section 548A, which provides that despite, section 54(1)(c) of the Data and Statistics Act 2022, the Ministry may publish or otherwise disclose data relating to the socio-economic status of children attending early childhood services and their families that it accesses as a researcher under Part 5 of that Act in a form that may identify an individual or organisation if specified criteria are met.

Clause 32 repeals section 594, which requires the employer of a person who is appointed to a senior position at an institution and who is not bound by a collective agreement to consult the Public Service Commissioner before finalising the person’s conditions of employment.

Clause 33 amends section 617(2)(c) to provide that, before issuing eligibility criteria relating to appointment of principals under that section, the Minister must also consult national bodies with a particular role in respect of the character of Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Clause 34 amends section 638, which empowers the Governor-General to make regulations relating to how schools must be run. The amendment replaces section 638(2)(e), which enables regulations to provide for when schools must be open and closed for instruction (including by specifying term dates and the number of half-days on which schools must be open, allowing school boards to vary the time at which any 1 or more half-days take place, and allowing school boards to run multiple timetable arrangements). The effect of the amendment is to authorise the Governor-General to delegate the responsibility for determining those matters to the Minister, who may sub-delegate that responsibility to the Secretary for Education (the Secretary) in relation to any individual school. The changes reinstate the position formerly set out in Schedule 21 of the principal Act, which provided for the Minister to specify when schools must and may be open and closed.

Clause 35 consequentially amends section 659, which gives the board the power to close a school it administers because of an epidemic, a flood, a fire, or any other emergency, to update cross-references to Schedule 21 (now repealed) with references to new section 638(2)(e).

Clause 36 and the Schedule insert new Part 5 into Schedule 1 of the principal Act. New Part 5 sets out transitional, savings, and related provisions relating to the amendments made by the Bill.

Clause 37 amends Schedule 4, which requires service providers of licensed early childhood services, school boards of State schools, and managers of private schools to obtain a Police vet of employees, contractors, and employees of contractors before the person begins working at the service or school or has, or is likely to have, unsupervised access to children at the service or school. The amendments to clauses 1, 2, 6, 9, and 10 place an explicit duty on service providers and school boards and managers to consider the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the person would pose a safety risk to children if they were to carry out work, or had unsupervised access to children, at the service or school. This applies to children to whom the service is provided or to children at the school during normal school hours.

Clause 38 amends Schedule 23, which sets out provisions relating to electing and co-opting board members to boards of State schools, the term of office of board members, and eligibility to become a board member. The amendments—

  • replace clause 1(1)(a)(ii) with new clause 1(1)(a)(ii) and (iia), which modernises and expands the criteria for selecting co-opted and appointed board members so that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the board also reflects the genders, sexualities, and sexes of the student body of the school and within the community served by the school and also reflect disabled students at the school and the school’s disability community:

  • insert new clause 9(1)(fa), which provides that a person convicted of a specified offence identified in Schedule 2 of the Children’s Act 2014 is ineligible to become an elected, appointed, or co-opted board member unless the person has been pardoned or granted an exemption by the Secretary under new clause 9(5):

  • insert new clause 9(5), which provides the Secretary with the power, on application, to exempt a person described in new clause 9(1)(fa) from the prohibition on becoming a board member if satisfied that the person would not pose an undue risk to the safety of children:

  • insert new clause 9(6) and (7), which enables the Secretary to audit an elected, appointed, or co-opted board member’s continuing eligibility under clause 9(1) to be a board member and require the board member to permit the Secretary to obtain any relevant information to enable the Secretary to conduct the audit:

  • insert new clause 12(1)(f), which provides that a board member’s office becomes vacant when they fail to provide permission under clause 9(7):

  • adjust clause 13(1), which requires a casual vacancy of an elected board member to be filled by the election of a board member in the same manner in which the vacating board member was elected. The amendment clarifies that this requirement is subject to the other provisions of clause 13:

  • repeal clause 13(2), which prohibits a school from filling a student representative vacancy on a school board until the next school board election.

Part 3Amendments to other legislation

Clauses 39 and 40 amend section 7(1)(e) of the Crown Entities Act 2004, which defines a tertiary education institution for the purposes of that Act, to exclude a wānanga that is not a Crown entity from the definition.

Clauses 41 and 42 amend the definition of tertiary education institution in section YA 1 of the Income Tax Act 2007 to ensure that wānanga established under new Part 4A of the Education and Training Act 2020 are exempt from paying income tax (as is currently the case for existing wānanga established under Part 4 of that Act).

Clauses 43 and 44 amend Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 to provide that Part 7 of that Act applies to wānanga established under new Part 4A of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Clauses 45 and 46 amend Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 to provide that both that Act and the Official Information Act 1982 will apply to wānanga established under new Part 4A of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Clauses 47 and 48 amend section 32E(2)(k) of the Tax Administration Act 1994 to ensure that wānanga established under new Part 4A of the Education and Training Act 2020 are exempt from paying resident withholding tax (as is currently the case for existing wānanga established under Part 4 of that Act).

The Schedule sets out new Part 5 being inserted into Schedule 1 of the principal Act.

Subpart 1 of new Part 5 (new clauses 89 to 108) deals with transitional matters relating to the new wānanga-enabling framework.

New clause 89 continues existing wānanga and provides that those wānanga are to be treated as if they were established as Crown entities under new Part 4A.

New clause 90 provides for the reconstitution of a wānanga continued under clause 89 by Order in Council.

New clause 91 deals with the initial membership of the council of a reconstituted wānanga and provides that, before the date of reconstitution, each person or body responsible for appointing or electing members to the reconstituted wānanga’s council may appoint or elect the number of members of the reconstituted council required by its constitution to be appointed or elected by that person or body.

New clause 92 provides that on the date of reconstitution of the council of a wānanga all members of the council immediately before that date go out of office and all the people appointed or elected as members of the council before that date under clause 91 take up office.

New clause 93 clarifies that a reconstituted wānanga and its council are the same institution and council that existed immediately before the date of reconstitution.

New clause 94 provides for a wānanga that is a Crown entity (established under new section 398E or continued under new clause 89) to convert to a wānanga that is not Crown entity by Order in Council.

New clause 95 provides that, if a wānanga that is a Crown entity converts to a wānanga that is not Crown entity under clause 94, the members of the council of the wānanga immediately before the conversion date go out of office and no compensation is payable to a member for the loss of office.

New clause 96 deals with the transfer of rights, assets, and liabilities of converted wānanga and provides that, on and after the date of conversion, they vest in the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 97 clarifies that for the purposes of Inland Revenue Acts a wānanga that is not a Crown entity must, on and from the date of conversion, be treated as the same person as the wānanga it replaces.

New clause 98 deals with the transfer of employees of a wānanga that was a Crown entity and provides that, on and after the date of conversion, they become employees of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 99 deals with superannuation entitlements of persons who, immediately before becoming employees of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, were employees of a wānanga that was a Crown entity and were contributors to the Government Superannuation Fund.

New clause 100 deals with the transfer of students enrolled at a wānanga that was a Crown entity immediately before its date of conversion to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity and provides that they must be treated as having been enrolled at the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 101 deals with the status of visas granted under the Immigration Act 2009 in respect of students and staff members of a wānanga that was a Crown entity and provides that after its conversion any reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in a condition imposed on the visa must be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 102 deals with existing approvals, accreditations, and consents granted by NZQA to a wānanga that was a Crown entity and in effect immediately before the date of its conversion to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity. It provides that these continue to apply as if they had been granted to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 103 deals with funding payable by TEC to a wānanga that was a Crown entity before its conversion to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity and provides that TEC must treat the funding as if it were payable to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity, subject to certain exceptions.

New clause 104 provides that, on and after the date of conversion, every reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in any enactment (other than the principal Act) or a document must be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 105 deals with the transfer of any legal proceedings and the completion of other matters.

New clause 106 provides that a wānanga that is not a Crown entity that is converted from a wānanga that is a Crown entity must provide a final report to the Minister in relation to the wānanga that was a Crown entity.

New clause 107 validates any action or process undertaken by a wānanga that was a Crown entity before the date of conversion when appointing members to the council of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity if the actions or processes substantially comply with the principal Act and the provisions of the relevant Order in Council establishing the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

New clause 108 provides that the membership of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is reduced until the date on which each member referred to in the membership provisions of the relevant Order in Council is appointed to the council.

Subpart 2 of new Part 5 (new clause 109) deals with the timing of mid-term elections of board members who are parent representatives that fall due after the main commencement of the Bill. New clause 109 provides that despite clause 4(3) of Schedule 23, the board must hold the next mid-term election of those representatives in November 2023.

Hon Jan Tinetti

Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 3)

Government Bill

239—1

Contents

Explanatory note
1Title
2Commencement
3Principal Act
4Section 9 amended (Te Tiriti o Waitangi)
5Section 266 amended (Object)
6Section 268 amended (Establishment of institutions)
7Section 271 replaced (Institutions to be governed by councils)
271Institutions to be governed by councils
8Section 272 amended (Incorporation)
9New Part 4A inserted
398AOutline of Part 4A
398BPurpose of Part 4A
398CApplication
398DWhat wānanga are (characteristics)
398EEstablishment of wānanga that are Crown entities
398FAppointment of council members
398GCertain people ineligible to be appointed
398HStatutes relating to appointment
398IConversion of wānanga that are Crown entities to wānanga that are not Crown entities
398JEstablishment of wānanga that are not Crown entities
398KAppointment of council members
398LCertain people ineligible to be appointed
398MMembership of more than 1 council
398NStatutes relating to appointment
398OActs and proceedings not invalidated by certain defects
398PAmendments to constitutions
398QApplication of Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968
398RApplication of Public Records Act 2005
398SApplication of Public Audit Act 2001
398TOffice holders and employees are officials
398UDisclosure of interest
398VFees and allowances
398WPersonal liability of council members
398XTrust property
398YDisestablishing wānanga
398ZEffect of disestablishing wānanga
398ZADisestablished wānanga and their councils cease to exist
398ZBEntitlements of certain persons for certain awards
398ZCVesting of property of disestablished wānanga
398ZDTreatment of certain contracts, instruments, and proceedings
398ZEContinuation of disestablished wānanga for certain purposes
398ZFRestriction on subsequent distribution of surplus assets
10Section 405 amended (Chief executive must monitor and report on institutions)
11Section 424 amended (Criteria for assessing proposed plans)
12Section 574 amended (Taxes and duties where disestablished institution incorporated into another institution)
13Section 575 amended (Taxes and duties in other cases)
14New section 575A inserted (Taxes and duties where assets and liabilities of disestablished institution vested in iwi or Māori)
575ATaxes and duties where assets and liabilities of disestablished institution vested in iwi or Māori
15Section 611 amended (Conditions of employment of chief executive)
16Schedule 11 amended
17Section 5 amended (Minister may issue statement of national education and learning priorities)
18Section 10 amended (Interpretation)
19New section 94A inserted (Appointment of chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu)
94AAppointment of chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
20Section 115 amended (When State schools must be open)
21Section 189 amended (Overview: classifications and types of State schools)
22Section 201 replaced (Kura Kaupapa Māori)
201Kura Kaupapa Māori
23Section 203 amended (Protection of term Kura Kaupapa Māori)
24Sections 204 and 205 replaced
204Designated character schools
205Process for establishing designated character schools
25Section 306 amended (Annual report)
26Section 323 amended (Term of office)
27Section 527 amended (Requirements that private training establishments must comply with before enrolling international students)
28Section 528 amended (Exemptions)
29Section 535A amended (Appointment and functions of code administrators)
30Section 540 amended (How export education levy may be applied)
31New section 548A inserted (Data accessed by Ministry under Data and Statistics Act 2022)
548AData accessed by Ministry under Data and Statistics Act 2022
32Section 594 repealed (Senior positions at institutions)
33Section 617 amended (Minister must issue eligibility criteria relating to appointment of principals)
34Section 638 amended (Regulations relating to how schools must be run)
35Section 659 amended (Power of boards to close schools)
36Schedule 1 amended
37Schedule 4 amended
38Schedule 23 amended
39Principal Act
40Section 7 amended (Meaning of Crown entity and categories of Crown entities)
41Principal Act
42Section YA 1 amended (Definitions)
43Principal Act
44Schedule 2 amended
45Principal Act
46Schedule 1 amended
47Principal Act
48Section 32E amended (Applications for RWT-exempt status)

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:

1 Title

This Act is the Education and Training Amendment Act (No 3) 2023.

2 Commencement

(1)

Section 38(2) to (4) come into force on the day that is 6 months after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.

(2)

The rest of this Act comes into force on the day after the date on which this Act receives the Royal assent.

3 Principal Act

This Act amends the Education and Training Act 2020.

Part 1 Amendments to principal Act relating to wānanga

4 Section 9 amended (Te Tiriti o Waitangi)

In section 9(1)(f), replace “Part 4, which provides” with “Part 4 and Part 4A, which provide”.

5 Section 266 amended (Object)

In section 266, replace “institutions” with “institutions, including those established under Part 4A,”.

6 Section 268 amended (Establishment of institutions)

(1)

Repeal section 268(2)(d)(ii)(B) and (3).

(2)

Renumber section 268(2A) as section 268(3).

7 Section 271 replaced (Institutions to be governed by councils)

Replace section 271 with:

271 Institutions to be governed by councils
Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology

(1)

The governing body of Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology is its council, the members of which are appointed under section 320.

Wānanga

(2)

The governing body of a wānanga that is a Crown entity is its council constituted in accordance with—

(a)

this Part; or

(b)

the order establishing the wānanga under Part 4A; or

(c)

the order made under clause 90 of Schedule 1 reconstituting the council of the wānanga.

(3)

The governing body of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is its council constituted in accordance with—

(a)

the order establishing the wānanga under Part 4A; or

(b)

the order made under clause 94 of Schedule 1 converting a wānanga that is a Crown entity to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

Other institutions

(4)

The governing body of every other institution is its council constituted in accordance with this Part.

References to, and actions of, councils

(5)

A reference in any enactment to the council or other governing body of an institution referred to in subsections (2) to (4) must be construed as a reference to the council of the institution.

(6)

Subject to section 283(2), all acts or things done in the name of, or on behalf of, an institution with the authority of, or of a delegate of, the council or the chief executive are to be treated as being done by the institution.

Further provisions

(7)

Part 4A provides for the constitution, appointment, and operation of councils of wānanga, and for related matters.

(8)

Schedule 11 provides for the constitution, appointment, and operation of councils of Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and other institutions, and for related matters.

8 Section 272 amended (Incorporation)

In section 272(1), replace “and Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology as continued by section 314,” with “Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology as continued by section 314, and each wānanga established under Part 4A.

9 New Part 4A inserted

After Part 4, insert:

Part 4A Wānanga

398A Outline of Part 4A

(1)

This Part, which concerns wānanga, is divided into 4 subparts.

(2)

Subpart 1 deals with various preliminary matters.

(3)

Subpart 2 concerns the administration of wānanga that are Crown entities.

(4)

Subpart 3 concerns the administration of wānanga that are not Crown entities.

(5)

Subpart 4 concerns the disestablishment of wānanga.

398B Purpose of Part 4A

The purpose of this Part is to provide for the establishment, modification, and administration of wānanga in a manner that gives effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Māori-Crown relationships and, in particular, that—

(a)

better reflects the unique characteristics, functions, and purposes of wānanga in the tertiary education system for delivering the best possible education outcomes for ākonga; and

(b)

recognises the interests of iwi or Māori in ensuring the effective governance and administration of wānanga; and

(c)

enables direct accountability to iwi or Māori for the performance of wānanga.

Subpart 1—Preliminary matters

398C Application

(1)

This Part applies only to a wānanga that—

(a)

is established on or after the date on which this Part commences; or

(b)

existed immediately before the date on which this Part commences, and on or after that date,—

(i)

reconstitutes its governance or administration; or

(ii)

converts to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(2)

On or after commencement of this Part,—

(a)

the following provisions of this Act do not apply to a wānanga:

(i)

section 268 (establishment of institutions):

(ii)

section 269 (constitutions of institutions):

(iii)

section 270 (disestablishment of institutions):

(iv)

section 573 (effect of the disestablishment of institutions):

(b)

the following provisions of this Act do not apply to councils of wānanga:

(i)

section 275 (constitution to provide for membership of councils):

(ii)

section 276 (membership of councils):

(iii)

section 277 (disqualifications):

(iv)

section 278 (appointment criteria):

(v)

section 279 (statutes relating to appointments):

(c)

the following provisions in Schedule 11 of this Act do not apply to a wānanga that is a Crown entity:

(i)

clause 3 (limit on number of occasions on which members may be appointed):

(ii)

clause 6 (term of office):

(iii)

clause 9 (casual vacancies):

(iv)

clause 12 (removal of members):

(v)

clause 13 (process for removal):

(vi)

clause 15 (chairpersons and deputy chairpersons):

(vii)

clause 16 (meetings of councils):

(viii)

clause 18 (determination of policy):

(d)

the following provisions of this Act do not apply to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity:

(i)

section 273 (common seals):

(ii)

section 274 (methods of contracting):

(iii)

section 280 (functions of councils):

(iv)

section 281 (duties of councils):

(v)

section 282(4) to (7) (powers of institutions):

(vi)

section 287 (criteria for risk assessment of institutions (other than Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology)):

(vii)

section 288 (institutions to provide information to TEC if required):

(viii)

section 289 (ministerial appointment of Crown observers for institutions):

(ix)

sections 290 to 293 (ministerial dissolution of councils and appointments and processes to appoint commissioners):

(x)

section 294 (duties of chief executives):

(xi)

section 295 (delegation of functions and powers of chief executives):

(xii)

section 296 (further provisions applying to delegation):

(xiii)

section 297 (bank accounts):

(xiv)

section 298 (accounts to be kept):

(xv)

section 300 (gifts):

(xvi)

section 305 (institutions are Crown entities):

(xvii)

section 306 (annual reports):

(xviii)

section 307 (requirements to prepare statements or reports):

(xix)

section 308 (availability of annual reports for inspection):

(xx)

section 597 (good employer principles):

(xxi)

section 602 (duty to act independently):

(xxii)

section 603 (appointments on merit):

(xxiii)

section 604 (notification of vacancies):

(xxiv)

section 608 (chief executives of institutions):

(xxv)

section 609 (appointment of chief executives):

(xxvi)

section 610 (reappointment of chief executives):

(xxvii)

section 611 (conditions of employment of chief executives):

(xxviii)

section 612 (removal from office):

(xxix)

Schedule 11 (council procedures).

(3)

If a provision in this Part conflicts with a provision in subpart 3 of Part 4 or Schedule 11, the provision in this Part prevails.

398D What wānanga are (characteristics)

Wānanga are institutions that—

(a)

Māori, primarily iwi, have been instrumental in establishing; and

(b)

are concerned with a wide diversity of teaching and intellectual endeavour (including research) that is—

(i)

closely interdependent; and

(ii)

associated with higher learning; and

(c)

are kaitiaki of mātauranga Māori, te reo Māori, and tikanga Māori within the tertiary education sector; and

(d)

have a role in the promotion and maintenance of social, spiritual, cultural, political, and economic well-being in the community; and

(e)

follow practices that are consistent with mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori at all levels of governance and operations; and

(f)

accept a role as a critic and conscience of society from a mātauranga Māori, te reo Māori, and tikanga Māori perspective; and

(g)

position themselves within the networks of indigenous tertiary institutions across the world and contribute to the setting of international indigenous standards of teaching and intellectual endeavour, including research.

Subpart 2—Administration of wānanga that are Crown entities

398E Establishment of wānanga that are Crown entities

(1)

The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, establish a wānanga as an institution that is a Crown entity.

(2)

Before making a recommendation to establish a wānanga under subsection (1), the Minister must—

(a)

seek advice from NZQA on education quality assurance matters and consider any advice given; and

(b)

seek advice from Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga on whether the proposed wānanga would have the characteristics of a wānanga, and take that advice into account; and

(c)

consult iwi or Māori who are instrumental in its establishment, and take their views into account; and

(d)

consult other persons or bodies that the Minister thinks fit; and

(e)

be satisfied that any additional functions and purposes of the proposed wānanga and of its council specified under subsection (3)(f) are consistent with the characteristics of a wānanga; and

(f)

be satisfied that the establishment of the proposed wānanga is in the interests of the tertiary education system and the nation as a whole.

(3)

An order made under subsection (1) must do all of the following:

(a)

revoke and replace a previous order, if any, establishing the wānanga:

(b)

state the name of the wānanga:

(c)

provide for determining the people who are to constitute the wānanga:

(d)

set out the governance arrangements for the council of the wānanga, including the constitution of the council and arrangements for the appointment, suspension, and removal of members:

(e)

set out the procedures for conducting meetings of the council:

(f)

specify any functions and purposes of the wānanga and its council that are in addition to any functions and purposes of an institution or its council set out in this Act:

(g)

specify the manner in which policies of the wānanga are to be determined:

(h)

provide for the establishment and membership of an academic committee to advise the council on matters relating to courses of study or training, awards, and other academic matters:

(i)

provide for any other matters that are necessary or desirable—

(i)

for the good governance of the wānanga; or

(ii)

to clarify the arrangements for the administration of the wānanga.

(4)

An order made under subsection (1) may do 1 or both of the following:

(a)

set out by way of preamble the historical background to the establishment of the wānanga and any Crown acknowledgments:

(b)

impose conditions on the performance or exercise of the powers of the wānanga.

(5)

An order made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

398F Appointment of council members

When appointing members to the council of a wānanga that is a Crown entity, the council, or any other person or body making the appointments, must appoint people who (in the opinion of the council, person, or body making the appointment)—

(a)

have relevant knowledge, skills, or experience; and

(b)

are likely to be able to fulfil their individual duties to the council; and

(c)

together with the other members of the council, are capable of undertaking its responsibilities, duties, and functions.

398G Certain people ineligible to be appointed

A person is not eligible for appointment to the council of a wānanga that is a Crown entity if—

(a)

the person is subject to a property order under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988; or

(b)

a personal order has been made under that Act in respect of the person that reflects adversely on their—

(i)

competence to manage their own affairs in relation to their property; or

(ii)

capacity to make or to communicate decisions relating to any particular aspect or aspects of their personal care and welfare; or

(c)

the person has been adjudicated bankrupt and has not obtained an order of discharge, or their order of discharge has been suspended for a term that has not yet expired or is subject to any conditions that have not yet been fulfilled; or

(d)

the person has been removed from office as a member of the council of any institution.

398H Statutes relating to appointment

(1)

The council of a wānanga that is a Crown entity may make statutes relating to the appointment of members under its constitution.

(2)

The statutes may—

(a)

provide for direct appointment by the council of a member chosen by the council; or

(b)

require the council to appoint a member—

(i)

of a stated description; or

(ii)

holding a stated office; or

(iii)

nominated by a stated person or body or by a person or body of a stated description; or

(iv)

elected by people of a stated description.

(3)

To the extent that the statutes require the council to appoint—

(a)

a member elected by people of a stated description, they must also provide for the processes by which elections must be held and their results must be determined:

(b)

a member nominated by a stated person or body or a body of a stated description, they must also provide for the process by which nominations may be called for and must be considered.

(4)

For an appointment under a statute providing for any of the matters set out in subsection (2)(b), section 398F is complied with if, when making the statute concerned, the council is satisfied that compliance with the statute is likely to result in the appointment of a person who—

(a)

has relevant knowledge, skills, or experience; and

(b)

is likely to be able to fulfil the person’s individual duties to the council; and

(c)

together with the other members of the council, is capable of undertaking its responsibilities, functions, and duties.

(5)

This section does not limit section 284.

398I Conversion of wānanga that are Crown entities to wānanga that are not Crown entities

Wānanga that are Crown entities may be converted to wānanga that are not Crown entities in accordance with clauses 94 to 108 of Schedule 1.

Subpart 3—Administration of wānanga that are not Crown entities

398J Establishment of wānanga that are not Crown entities

(1)

The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, establish a wānanga as an institution that is not a Crown entity.

(2)

Before making a recommendation to establish a wānanga under subsection (1), the Minister must do all of the following:

(a)

seek advice from NZQA on education quality assurance matters and consider any advice given; and

(b)

seek advice from Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga on whether the proposed wānanga would have the characteristics of a wānanga and take that advice into account; and

(c)

consult iwi or Māori instrumental in its establishment; and

(d)

consult other persons or bodies that the Minister thinks fit; and

(e)

be satisfied that—

(i)

the functions and purposes of the proposed wānanga and its council are consistent with the characteristics of a wānanga; and

(ii)

the accountability arrangements set out in subsection (3)(g) and (h) are sufficient for the effective governance and administration of the wānanga; and

(f)

be satisfied that the person or body identified under subsection (3)(g) as the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable—

(i)

accepts responsibility for ensuring that the wānanga and its council are accountable; and

(ii)

has access to the skills and resources reasonably necessary to ensure that the wānanga and its council are accountable; and

(g)

be satisfied that the establishment of the proposed wānanga is in the interests of the tertiary education system and the nation as a whole.

(3)

An order made under subsection (1) must do all of the following:

(a)

state the name of the wānanga; and

(b)

specify the people who are to constitute the wānanga; and

(c)

set out the governance arrangements for the council of the wānanga, including the constitution of the council and arrangements for the appointment, suspension, and removal of members; and

(d)

specify the functions, duties and purposes of the wānanga and its council; and

(e)

set out the procedures for conducting the meetings of the council; and

(f)

specify the collective and individual duties of the members of the council and the manner in which members will be accountable for the performance of their duties; and

(g)

specify the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable for the effective governance and administration of the wānanga, and the things for which the wānanga is accountable (for example, the progress made towards achieving the purposes of the wānanga, the financial management of the wānanga, and the educational performance of the wānanga); and

(h)

set out what the wānanga must do to ensure adequate accountability for the effective governance and administration of the wānanga, including—

(i)

any requirements for the efficient and prudent financial management of the wānanga; and

(ii)

any requirements for financial reporting and reporting on other matters; and

(iii)

the means by which risk to the operation and long-term viability of the wānanga is to be managed, including the range or type of interventions available to address those risks; and

(iv)

any requirements for setting the long-term strategic direction and objectives of the wānanga in respect of the performance of its functions; and

(i)

provide for the appointment of a chief executive, including—

(i)

the functions and duties of the chief executive; and

(ii)

the delegation of any functions or duties of the chief executive; and

(j)

set out the requirements relating to the appointment of employees of the wānanga; and

(k)

set out the things that the wānanga must do to ensure the fair and proper treatment of employees in all aspects of their employment.

(4)

An order made under subsection (1) may do all or any of the following:

(a)

set out, by way of a preamble, the historical background to the establishment of the wānanga and any acknowledgements by the Crown:

(b)

specify the means by which the council of the wānanga is to engage with the people who constitute the wānanga, and the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable for its effective governance and administration:

(c)

impose conditions on the performance or exercise of the functions, duties, or powers of the wānanga and its council:

(d)

specify the manner in which policies of the wānanga are to be determined:

(e)

provide for the establishment and membership of an academic committee to advise the council on matters relating to courses of study or training, awards, and other academic matters:

(f)

provide for any other matters that are necessary or desirable—

(i)

for the good governance of the wānanga; or

(ii)

to clarify the arrangements for the administration of the wānanga.

(5)

An order made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

398K Appointment of council members

When appointing members of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, the council or any other person or body making the appointments must appoint people who (in the opinion of the council or other person or body making the appointment)—

(a)

have relevant knowledge, skills, or experience; and

(b)

are likely to be able to fulfil their individual duties to the council; and

(c)

together with the other members of the council, are capable of undertaking its responsibilities, duties, and functions.

398L Certain people ineligible to be appointed

A person is not eligible for appointment to the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity if—

(a)

the person is subject to a property order under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988; or

(b)

a personal order has been made under that Act in respect of the person that reflects adversely on their—

(i)

competence to manage their own affairs in relation to their property; or

(ii)

capacity to make or to communicate decisions relating to any particular aspect or aspects of their personal care and welfare; or

(c)

the person has been adjudicated bankrupt and has not obtained an order of discharge, or whose order of discharge has been suspended for a term that has not yet expired or is subject to any conditions that have not yet been fulfilled; or

(d)

the person has been removed from office as a member of the council of any institution.

398M Membership of more than 1 council

A person who is a council member of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity may be appointed as a council member of another institution (whether or not they are institutions of the same kind).

398N Statutes relating to appointment

(1)

The council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity may make statutes relating to the appointment of members under its constitution.

(2)

The statutes may—

(a)

provide for direct appointment by the council of a member chosen by the council; or

(b)

require the council to appoint a member—

(i)

of a stated description; or

(ii)

holding a stated office; or

(iii)

nominated by a stated person or by a body or person of a stated description; or

(iv)

elected by people of a stated description.

(3)

To the extent that the statutes require the council to appoint—

(a)

a member elected by people of a stated description, they must also provide for the processes by which elections must be held and their results must be determined:

(b)

a member nominated by a stated person or body or a body of a stated description, they must also provide for the process by which nominations may be called for and must be considered.

(4)

For an appointment under a statute providing for any of the matters set out in subsection (2)(b), section 398K is complied with if, when making the statute concerned, the council is satisfied that compliance with the statute is likely to result in the appointment of a person who—

(a)

has relevant knowledge, skills, or experience; and

(b)

is likely to be able to fulfil the person’s individual duties to the council; and

(c)

together with the other members of the council, is capable of undertaking its responsibilities, functions, and duties.

(5)

This section does not limit section 284.

398O Acts and proceedings not invalidated by certain defects

No act or proceeding of the council, or any council committee, of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is invalidated by—

(a)

a defect in the appointment of a council member or of the committee; or

(b)

a defect in the nomination of a council member or committee for appointment as a council member; or

(c)

a defect in the election of a council member or committee for appointment as a council member; or

(d)

a disqualification of a council member or committee member; or

(e)

a vacancy in the membership of the council or committee; or

(f)

a defect in the convening of any meeting.

398P Amendments to constitutions

If the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity recommends to the Minister that the constitution of the council be amended in a manner that complies with the requirements of the Order in Council establishing the wānanga, the Minister must amend the constitution in accordance with the recommendation by notice published in the Gazette.

398Q Application of Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968

The council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is not a local authority for the purposes of the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968.

398R Application of Public Records Act 2005

An institution that is a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is a public office for the purposes of the Public Records Act 2005.

Compare: 2022 No 30 s 28

398S Application of Public Audit Act 2001

(1)

An institution that is a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is a public entity as defined in section 4 of the Public Audit Act 2001 and, in accordance with that Act, the Auditor-General is its auditor.

(2)

The wānanga must forward to the Auditor-General,—

(a)

within 3 months after the end of each financial year,—

(i)

the annual financial statements of the wānanga; and

(ii)

any other information that the Auditor-General has agreed, or is required, to audit; and

(b)

the annual report of the wānanga in a timely manner to enable the Auditor-General to review that report before providing the audit report required under subsection (3)(b).

(3)

The Auditor-General must—

(a)

audit the statements and information referred to in subsection (2)(a); and

(b)

provide an audit report to the wānanga within 4 months after the end of each financial year.

398T Office holders and employees are officials

(1)

This section applies to office holders and employees of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity or a subsidiary that it owns solely or together with 1 or more other institutions or Crown entities.

(2)

Individuals working for the wānanga or its subsidiary as contractors or secondees and performing or exercising a function, duty, or power of the wānanga are to be treated as if they are employees.

(3)

This section also applies to a person who was formerly an employee or office holder in respect of any acts or omissions or decisions made while that person was an employee or office holder of the wānanga or its subsidiary.

(4)

A person to whom this section applies is an official for the purposes of sections 105 and 105A of the Crimes Act 1961.

(5)

This section does not limit the meaning of official in section 99 of the Crimes Act 1961.

Compare: 2004 No 115 s 135

398U Disclosure of interest

(1)

A council member of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, or a council committee member, who has an interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the council or the committee must, as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to the member’s knowledge, disclose the nature of the interest at a meeting of the council or the committee.

(2)

A disclosure under subsection (1) must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the council or committee, and the member may not, unless the council decides otherwise,—

(a)

be present during any deliberation of the council or the committee with respect to that matter; or

(b)

take part in any decision of the council or the committee with respect to that matter.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, a person has an interest in a matter if, and only if, the matter relates to the conditions of service of the person as the chief executive or a member of the staff of the wānanga concerned or the person has any other direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the matter.

Compare: 1989 No 80 s 175

398V Fees and allowances

(1)

A member of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity (other than the chief executive) may be paid fees at the rates, not exceeding the maximum rates fixed by the Minister in accordance with the fees framework, that the council determines.

(2)

A council member is entitled, in accordance with the fees framework, to be reimbursed, out of the funds of the wānanga, for actual and reasonable travelling and other expenses incurred in carrying out the member’s office as a member.

(3)

In this section, fees framework means the framework determined by the Government for the classification and remuneration of statutory and other bodies in which the Crown has an interest, including statutory entities and their subsidiaries and institutions.

398W Personal liability of council members

A council member of a wānanga that not a Crown entity is not personally liable for any act done or omitted by the council member or by the council—

(a)

in good faith; and

(b)

in the performance or intended performance of the functions of the wānanga or of the council.

398X Trust property

Despite anything to the contrary in this Act or any other enactment, any real or personal property held upon trust by a wānanga that is not a Crown entity must be dealt with in accordance with the powers and duties of the wānanga as trustee.

Subpart 4—Disestablishment of wānanga

398Y Disestablishing wānanga

(1)

The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister,—

(a)

disestablish a wānanga and provide for the distribution of its assets and liabilities:

(b)

disestablish a wānanga and incorporate the disestablished wānanga into another wānanga or other institution, whether the wānanga or other institution is an existing wānanga or other institution or a new wānanga or other institution that is established for the purpose:

(c)

provide for the distribution of the assets and liabilities of a wānanga that is to be disestablished.

(2)

Before making a recommendation, the Minister must—

(a)

give to the council of the wānanga, and any other institution that the Minister considers is likely to be directly affected, written notice—

(i)

setting out the action that the Minister is considering whether to take and the reasons for that action; and

(ii)

inviting the council and institutions to make a written submission to the Minister in relation to the matter; and

(b)

consult iwi or Māori instrumental in the establishment of the wānanga and take those views into account; and

(c)

consult any other person or body that the Minister thinks fit; and

(d)

publish, in the Gazette, the notices that the Minister thinks fit inviting members of the public to make written submissions in relation to the matter; and

(e)

consider any submissions made within a reasonable period in response to the notices.

(3)

The Minister may not recommend the disestablishment of a wānanga that is a Crown entity, or its disestablishment and incorporation into another wānanga or other institution, unless the Minister is satisfied—

(a)

on reasonable grounds that there is good reason to do so; and

(b)

that disestablishing the wānanga, or disestablishing the wānanga and incorporating the disestablished wānanga into another wānanga or other institution, is in the interests of the tertiary education system and the nation as a whole.

(4)

The Minister may not recommend the disestablishment of wānanga that is not a Crown entity, or its disestablishment and incorporation in another wānanga or other institution, unless—

(a)

the iwi or Māori instrumental in the establishment of the wānanga has determined that there is good reason to do so; and

(b)

the Minister is satisfied that disestablishing the wānanga, or disestablishing the wānanga and incorporating the disestablished wānanga in another wānanga or other institution, is in the interests of the tertiary education system and the nation as a whole.

(5)

The Minister must specify in the recommendation the reasons for the proposed disestablishment of a wānanga or proposed disestablishment of a wānanga and its incorporation into another wānanga or other institution.

(6)

An order made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

398Z Effect of disestablishing wānanga

Sections 398ZA to 398ZF apply if a wānanga is disestablished.

398ZA Disestablished wānanga and their councils cease to exist

The disestablished wānanga and its council cease to exist.

398ZB Entitlements of certain persons for certain awards

(1)

A person who would, but for the disestablishment of the wānanga, have been entitled to be granted an award of the wānanga is entitled to be granted an equivalent award at—

(a)

the institution into which the wānanga is incorporated; or

(b)

any other institution that the Secretary directs.

(2)

A person who has partially completed a programme at the disestablished wānanga leading to an award is entitled—

(a)

to enrol in a similar programme at—

(i)

the institution into which the wānanga is incorporated; or

(ii)

any other institution that the Secretary directs; and

(b)

to be granted the status, and the credit for work performed at the disestablished wānanga, as the council of the institution referred to in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii), after consulting NZQA, thinks fit.

398ZC Vesting of property of disestablished wānanga

(1)

If the disestablished wānanga is, immediately upon its disestablishment, incorporated into another institution,—

(a)

all real and personal property that, immediately before the disestablishment, was vested in the disestablished wānanga (including property held on trust) is vested in the other institution subject to all charges, encumbrances, estates, and interests, and any enactment, affecting that property; and

(b)

the other institution becomes liable to pay and discharge all the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the disestablished institution that existed immediately before its disestablishment.

(2)

The following provisions apply to a wānanga that is a Crown entity:

(a)

if the disestablished wānanga is not immediately upon its disestablishment incorporated into another institution, all real and personal property that, immediately before the disestablishment, was vested in the council of the disestablished wānanga (including property held on trust) is vested in the Minister, subject to all charges, encumbrances, estates, or interests, and any enactment, affecting that property:

(b)

despite paragraph (a), the Minister may, by written notice, direct that any specified real or personal property of the wānanga that is—

(i)

derived from the settlement of a claim under Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the wānanga; or

(ii)

gifted to the wānanga by iwi or Māori instrumental in the establishment of the wānanga,

is vested in the iwi or Māori concerned subject to all charges, encumbrances, estates, or interests, and any enactment, affecting that property:

(c)

before issuing a direction under paragraph (b), the Minister must consult the iwi or Māori concerned and any other person or body the Minister thinks fit:

(d)

the Minister is liable to pay and discharge all the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the council of the disestablished wānanga that existed immediately before its disestablishment other than in relation to any property vested in iwi or Māori under paragraph (b).

(3)

If any real or personal property that was held by a disestablished wānanga on trust vests in the Minister under subsection (2)(a), the Minister may appoint another institution or body to be the trustee of that property.

(4)

In the case of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, if the disestablished wānanga is not, immediately upon its disestablishment, incorporated into another institution,—

(a)

all real and personal property that, immediately before the disestablishment, was vested in the council of the disestablished wānanga (including property held on trust) is vested in the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable, subject to all charges, encumbrances, estates, or interests, and any enactment, affecting that property; and

(b)

the iwi or Māori concerned becomes liable to pay and discharge all the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the council of the disestablished wānanga that existed immediately before its disestablishment.

(5)

If any real or personal property that was held by a disestablished wānanga on trust vests in an iwi or Māori under subsection (4)(a), the iwi, or Māori concerned may appoint another institution or body to be the trustee of that property.

(6)

If any land vests in an institution, or in the Minister or iwi or Māori under this section, the Registrar-General of Land, on the deposit with the Registrar-General of the plans and documents that the Registrar-General may require, must make the entries in the register and generally do all the other things necessary to give full effect to this section.

398ZD Treatment of certain contracts, instruments, and proceedings

Any contract or other instrument (other than a contract of, or instrument relating to, employment) subsisting, or any proceeding pending, immediately before the disestablishment of a wānanga to which the wānanga was a party has effect after the disestablishment as if—

(a)

the institution into which the disestablished wānanga is incorporated or the Minister or iwi or Māori concerned is substituted for the disestablished wānanga as a party to the contract, other instrument, or proceeding; and

(b)

any reference in the contract or other instrument, or in a pleading, affidavit, or other document in the proceeding, to the disestablished wānanga in its capacity as a party to the contract, other instrument, or proceeding is (except in relation to matters that occurred before the disestablishment) a reference to the wānanga in which the disestablished wānanga is incorporated or the Minister or iwi or Māori concerned.

398ZE Continuation of disestablished wānanga for certain purposes

Despite section 398ZA, the council of a disestablished wānanga that was a Crown entity continues in existence for the purpose of complying, or facilitating compliance, with Part 4 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 and section 306 of this Act in relation to any academic year of the wānanga and,—

(a)

if the wānanga is incorporated into another institution, the council of the other institution; or

(b)

otherwise, the Secretary—

must give to the council of the disestablished wānanga any assistance that the council requires for the purpose of complying with its obligations under those provisions and is responsible for paying any expenses incurred by the council (including remuneration and expenses of members of the council or governing body) in so complying.

398ZF Restriction on subsequent distribution of surplus assets

If a wānanga is disestablished, any surplus assets vested in the iwi or Māori concerned under section 398ZC may only be used for a public or charitable purpose to advance Māori tertiary education.

10 Section 405 amended (Chief executive must monitor and report on institutions)

In section 405, insert as subsections (2) and (3):

(2)

In the case of an institution that is a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, the chief executive of TEC—

(a)

may, along with the council of the wānanga, establish a framework for monitoring risk to the operation and long-term viability of the wānanga, having regard to the purpose set out in section 398B and, in particular, the accountability of the wānanga to iwi or Māori; and

(b)

must undertake any monitoring activity in relation to the wānanga in accordance with the framework; and

(c)

may report on the outcome of risk monitoring in relation to the wānanga to the Minister and to the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable for the operation and long-term viability of the wānanga.

(3)

Nothing in subsection (2) limits or affects the duty of the chief executive to monitor institutions at risk under this section.

11 Section 424 amended (Criteria for assessing proposed plans)

After section 424(2)(d), insert:

(e)

how, in the case of a wānanga, the activities of the wānanga (other than those activities that contribute towards the Government’s priorities set out in the tertiary education strategy) support the functions and purposes of the wānanga.

12 Section 574 amended (Taxes and duties where disestablished institution incorporated into another institution)

(1)

In section 574(1)(a), replace “section 573(5) and the other institution referred to in that section” with section 398Z(5) or section 573(5) and the other institution referred to in those provisions”.

(2)

In section 574(1)(b) and (4), replace “section 573(5)” with section 398Z(5) or section 573(5)”.

13 Section 575 amended (Taxes and duties in other cases)

In section 575(1), (2), and (4), replace “section 573(6)” with section 398Z(6) or section 573(6)” in each place.

14 New section 575A inserted (Taxes and duties where assets and liabilities of disestablished institution vested in iwi or Māori)

After section 575, insert:

575A Taxes and duties where assets and liabilities of disestablished institution vested in iwi or Māori

(1)

For the purposes of the Acts specified in Schedule 1 of the Tax Administration Act 1994, and of any other enactment that imposes, or provides for the collection of, a tax, duty, levy, or other charge,—

(a)

a disestablished wānanga referred to in section 398Z(8) and the iwi or Māori concerned must be treated as being the same person with effect on and from the date on which the real and personal property of the disestablished wānanga vests in the iwi or Māori under that section; and

(b)

in respect of the liability under 1 or more of those enactments for, and the assessment, determination, or imposition of, taxes, duties, levies, or other charges accruing on and from the day on which the real and personal property of the disestablished wānanga vests in the iwi or Māori concerned, all transactions entered into by, and acts of, the disestablished wānanga before the vesting under section 398Z(8) must be treated as having been entered into by, or to be those of, the iwi or Māori concerned and to have been entered into or performed by those iwi or Māori at the time when they were entered into or performed by the disestablished wānanga.

(2)

For the purposes of determining a matter referred to in subsection (3), shares held by a disestablished wānanga in any company (whether directly or through any 1 or more interposed companies) immediately before the vesting under section 398Z(8) must be treated as having been acquired by the iwi or Māori concerned at the time when they were acquired by the disestablished wānanga.

(3)

The matters are whether—

(a)

any taxpayer satisfies the requirements of section IA 5(2) of the Income Tax Act 2007:

(b)

any taxpayer is included in a group of companies or a wholly-owned group for the purposes of section IA 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007:

(c)

any debit arises to be recorded in a taxpayer’s imputation credit account under section OB 41 of the Income Tax Act 2007.

(4)

The vesting of all the real and personal property of a disestablished wānanga in the iwi or Māori concerned under section 398Z(8) may not be treated as a supply of any goods or services for the purposes of the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985, or as a disposition of property for the purposes of the Estate and Gift Duties Act 1968.

(5)

Nothing in subsection (2) or (4) limits subsection (1).

Compare: 1989 No 80 s 219

15 Section 611 amended (Conditions of employment of chief executive)

Replace section 611(3) with:

(3)

Except where specific conditions of employment for a chief executive are provided in this Act, the conditions of employment for a chief executive must be determined in each case by agreement between the council of the institution and the chief executive, but,—

(a)

in the case of a wānanga that is a Crown entity, the council must consult the Public Service Commissioner on the conditions of employment before finalising them with the chief executive or amending any or all of the conditions once they have been finalised:

(b)

in the case of any other institution, the council must obtain the written agreement of the Public Service Commissioner to the conditions of employment before finalising them with the chief executive or amending any or all of the conditions once they have been finalised.

16 Schedule 11 amended

(1)

In the Schedule 11, heading, replace “271(5)” with 271(8).

(2)

In Schedule 11, clause 1(1), after “section 268(1)”, insert “or under section 398E.

(3)

In Schedule 11, clause 1(2), after “section 276”, insert “or under section 398E.

(4)

In Schedule 11, clause 2(1), replace “section 276,” with “section 276 or the requirements of an Order in Council made under section 398E in relation to the constitution of the council of a wānanga,”.

(5)

In Schedule 11, after clause 11(2), insert:

(2A)

Despite anything in subclause (2), a council member of a wānanga who does not comply with their individual duties may be removed from office under the provisions for removal of members set out in an Order in Council for the reconstitution or establishment of the wānanga.

Part 2 Other amendments to principal Act

17 Section 5 amended (Minister may issue statement of national education and learning priorities)

In section 5(6)(c), after “schools”, insert “and Kura Kaupapa Māori”.

18 Section 10 amended (Interpretation)

(1)

In section 10(1), definition of domestic student, paragraph (b), after “2009”, insert “who satisfies the criteria (if any) prescribed by regulations made under subsection (2)”.

(2)

In section 10(1), replace the definition of wānanga with:

wānanga means an institution established as a wānanga,—

(a)

before the commencement of Part 4A, under section 268:

(b)

after the commencement of Part 4A, under that Part

(3)

In section 10(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:

Kura Kaupapa Māori means a school designated in accordance with section 201

Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga means the body incorporated as Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga Incorporated, or its successor, to represent the collective interests of wānanga established under this Act

(4)

In section 10(2), replace “paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of domestic tertiary student” with “paragraph (b) of the definition of domestic student or paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of domestic tertiary student”.

(5)

After section 10(4), insert:

(4A)

For the purposes of Part 4A and Part 5 of Schedule 1, iwi or Māoriincludes an organisation, an entity, or a body authorised to act on behalf of the iwi or Māori constituency concerned.

19 New section 94A inserted (Appointment of chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu)

After section 94, insert:

94A Appointment of chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu

The chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu is appointed for a term of not more than 5 years, but may be reappointed for 1 or more terms.

20 Section 115 amended (When State schools must be open)

In section 115, replace “Schedule 21 and any regulations made under this Act” with “regulations made under section 638”.

21 Section 189 amended (Overview: classifications and types of State schools)

Replace section 189(b)(ii) with:

(ii)

designated character school:

(iia)

Kura Kaupapa Māori:

22 Section 201 replaced (Kura Kaupapa Māori)

Replace section 201 with:

201 Kura Kaupapa Māori

(1)

When establishing a State school, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, designate the school as a Kura Kaupapa Māori.

(2)

The Minister may, in the Minister’s absolute discretion, refuse to establish a school as Kura Kaupapa Māori.

(3)

The Minister may not establish a school under this section unless satisfied that—

(a)

te reo Māori is to be the main language of instruction at the school:

(b)

the school is to operate in accordance with Te Aho Matua:

(c)

it is desirable for students whose parents want them to do so to get such an education:

(d)

students at the school are to receive an education of a kind that differs significantly from the education they would receive at an ordinary State school.

(4)

A Kura Kaupapa Māori may have other special characteristics that give it a particular character (its special characteristics).

(5)

The Minister may not establish a State school as a Kura Kaupapa Māori unless the Minister has first consulted te kaitiaki o Te Aho Matua on the ability of the school to operate in accordance with Te Aho Matua.

(6)

A notice under subsection (1) must—

(a)

specify the name of the school, which must at all times begin with the words “Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o”; and

(b)

state that the school will operate in accordance with Te Aho Matua; and

(c)

summarise any special characteristics of the school; and

(d)

specify the constitution of the board of the school.

(7)

After consultation with the board, the Minister may from time to time, by notice in the Gazette, amend the name of the school (but not so as to omit the words “Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o”), its special characteristics, or the constitution of the board.

(8)

The board of a school established under this section must ensure that—

(a)

te reo Māori is the principal language of instruction at the school; and

(b)

the school operates in accordance with Te Aho Matua.

(9)

The board may refuse to enrol any person whose parents do not accept that the school operates in accordance with Te Aho Matua.

(10)

The Secretary must, by written notice to a Kura Kaupapa Māori, fix a maximum roll of the school, and the board must ensure that the number of students enrolled at the school is not more than the maximum roll.

(11)

Except as provided in this section, clause 16 of Schedule 20, and any regulations made under this Act regarding enrolment schemes for Kura Kaupapa Māori, this Act applies to every Kura Kaupapa Māori as if it were not a Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Compare: 1989 No 80 s 155

23 Section 203 amended (Protection of term Kura Kaupapa Māori)

In section 203(1), replace “section 204” with section 201.

24 Sections 204 and 205 replaced

Replace sections 204 and 205 with:

204 Designated character schools

(1)

When establishing a State school, the Minister may designate the school as a designated character school in accordance with this section and section 205.

(2)

The Minister may, in the Minister’s absolute discretion, refuse to establish a designated character school.

(3)

The Minister may not establish a school as a designated character school unless satisfied that, if the school is established,—

(a)

the school is to have a character that is in some specific way or ways different from the character of ordinary State schools (its different character):

(b)

it is desirable for students whose parents want them to do so to get such an education:

(c)

students at the school are to receive an education of a kind that differs significantly from the education they would receive at an ordinary State school.

(4)

The board of a designated character school must ensure that—

(a)

the aims, purposes, and objectives of the school’s different character are set out in the school’s strategic plan; and

(b)

the school operates consistently with its different character.

(5)

A board of a designated character school may refuse to enrol students whose parents do not accept that the school operates consistently with its different character.

(6)

The Secretary must, by written notice to a designated character school, fix a maximum roll of the school, and the board must ensure that the number of students enrolled at the school is not more than the maximum roll.

(7)

Except as provided in this section, clause 16 of Schedule 20, and any regulations made under this Act regarding enrolment schemes for designated character schools, this Act applies to every designated character school as if it were not a designated character school.

Compare: 1989 No 80 s 156

205 Process for establishing designated character schools

(1)

The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, when establishing a State school, designate the school as a designated character school.

(2)

Before doing so, the Minister must be satisfied of the matters in section 204(3).

(3)

The notice establishing a designated character school must—

(a)

describe the different character of the school (as defined in section 204(3)(a)):

(b)

state the constitution of the school’s board.

(4)

The notice establishing a designated character school may also name a body that has a special affiliation with the school or has responsibility for the different character of the school.

(5)

The Minister may, after consultation with the board of a designated character school, by notice in the Gazette,—

(a)

amend the description of the different character of the school:

(b)

name a body that has a special affiliation with the school or has responsibility for the different character of the school:

(c)

amend the statement of the constitution of the board.

(6)

The Minister must consult any body named under subsection (4) or (5)(b) before amending the description of the school’s different character.

Compare: 1989 No 80 s 156AA

25 Section 306 amended (Annual report)

(1)

After section 306(4)(f), insert:

(g)

in the case of an institution that is a university or a wānanga, a statement of the number of employees or former employees of the university or wānanga who, in their capacity as employees, received remuneration of $100,000 or more (excluding compensation or other benefits) in the year to which the report relates and the number of those employees or former employees in each bracket of remuneration in $10,000 increments.

(2)

After section 306(9), insert:

(10)

To avoid doubt, the employees of a university or wānanga referred to in subsection (4)(g) include the chief executive appointed by the council of the university or wānanga.

26 Section 323 amended (Term of office)

After section 323(2), insert:

(3)

If a member’s term of office expires before their successor is appointed, the member continues in office until their successor’s appointment takes effect.

27 Section 527 amended (Requirements that private training establishments must comply with before enrolling international students)

In section 527(2)(c), replace “training scheme” with “approved micro-credential”.

28 Section 528 amended (Exemptions)

In section 528(1)(b), replace “section 527(2)(b)(ii)” with “section 525(2)(b) or 527(2)(b)(ii)”.

29 Section 535A amended (Appointment and functions of code administrators)

Repeal section 535A(7).

30 Section 540 amended (How export education levy may be applied)

(1)

Repeal section 540(5).

(2)

In section 540(6), replace “this section” with “section 641”.

(3)

Renumber section 540(6) as section 540(5).

31 New section 548A inserted (Data accessed by Ministry under Data and Statistics Act 2022)

After section 548, insert:

548A Data accessed by Ministry under Data and Statistics Act 2022

(1)

Despite section 54(1)(c) of the Data and Statistics Act 2022, the Ministry may publish or otherwise disclose data relating to the socio-economic status of children attending early childhood services and their families accessed under Part 5 of that Act in a form that may identify an individual or organisation if—

(a)

the publication or other disclosure is for the purpose of assisting the Ministry to develop or use tools relating to the provision of funding to early childhood services under this Act; and

(b)

the data does not include personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 2020, unless the individual has consented to the publication or disclosure.

(2)

In subsection (1), organisation has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Data and Statistics Act 2022.

32 Section 594 repealed (Senior positions at institutions)

Repeal section 594.

33 Section 617 amended (Minister must issue eligibility criteria relating to appointment of principals)

In section 617(2)(c), after “schools”, insert “and Kura Kaupapa Māori”.

34 Section 638 amended (Regulations relating to how schools must be run)

Replace section 638(2)(e) with:

(e)

provide for when schools must or may be open and closed for instruction, including (without limitation) by—

(i)

specifying term dates and the number of half-days on which schools must be open and providing for exceptions in particular cases:

(ii)

allowing boards to vary the time at which any 1 or more half-days take place subject to any specified preconditions or requirements:

(iii)

allowing boards to run multiple timetable arrangements unconditionally or subject to any specified preconditions or requirements:

(iv)

authorising the Minister, by notice, to determine the matters set out in subparagraphs (i) to (iii), and authorising the Minister to delegate the power to determine those matters to the Secretary in relation to any individual school:

35 Section 659 amended (Power of boards to close schools)

(1)

In section 659(1), replace “Schedule 21” with “regulations made under section 638(2)(e).

(2)

In section 659(2), replace “clause 1 of Schedule 21” with “regulations made under section 638(2)(e).

36 Schedule 1 amended

In Schedule 1,—

(a)

insert the Part set out in Schedule 1 of this Act as the last Part; and

(b)

make all necessary consequential amendments.

37 Schedule 4 amended

(1)

In Schedule 4, replace clause 1(2) with:

(2)

The service provider must—

(a)

obtain the Police vet required by subclause (1) before the person begins work at the early childhood service; and

(b)

consider the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the person would pose a risk to the safety of children if the person were to carry out work at the service.

(2)

In Schedule 4, replace clause 2(1A) with:

(1A)

The service provider must—

(a)

obtain the Police vet required by subclause (1) before the contractor, or employee of a contractor, has, or is likely to have, unsupervised access to children at the service; and

(b)

consider the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the contractor, or employee of a contractor, would pose a risk to the safety of children if they had unsupervised access to children at the service.

(3)

In Schedule 4, replace clause 6(2) with:

(2)

The service provider must—

(a)

obtain the Police vet required by subclause (1),—

(i)

in the case of a home to be used as a licensed home-based education and care service, before the home is used as a licensed home-based education and care service:

(ii)

in the case of a home that is being used as a licensed home-based education and care service, before the adult begins to live in the home; and

(b)

consider the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the person would pose a risk to the safety of children to whom the service is provided.

(4)

In Schedule 4, replace clause 9(2) with:

(2)

The board or managers must—

(a)

obtain the Police vet required by subclause (1) before the person begins work at the school; and

(b)

consider the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the person would pose a risk to the safety of children if the person were to carry out work at the school.

(5)

In Schedule 4, replace clause 10(1A) with:

(1A)

The board or managers must—

(a)

obtain the Police vet required by subclause (1) before the contractor, or employee of a contractor, has, or is likely to have, unsupervised access to children at the school; and

(b)

consider the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the contractor, or employee of a contractor, would pose a risk to the safety of children if they had unsupervised access to children at the school.

38 Schedule 23 amended

(1)

In Schedule 23, replace clause 1(1)(a)(ii) with:

(ii)

the genders, sexualities, and sexes of the student body of the school and within the community served by the school; and

(iia)

the diversity of disabled students at the school and of the school’s disability community; and

(2)

In Schedule 23, after clause 9(1)(f), insert:

(fa)

a person who has been convicted of a specified offence identified in Schedule 2 of the Children’s Act 2014, unless that person has obtained a pardon or been granted an exemption under subclause (5).

(3)

In Schedule 23, after clause 9(4), insert:

(5)

The Secretary may, on application, grant an exemption under this subclause to a person described in subclause (1)(fa) that allows the person to serve as a board member if the Secretary is satisfied that the person would not pose an undue risk to the safety of children.

(6)

The Secretary may, from time to time, audit an elected, appointed, or co-opted board member’s continuing eligibility under subclause (1) to be a board member.

(7)

For the purposes of subclause (6), the board member must permit the Secretary to obtain any relevant information to enable the Secretary to conduct the audit.

(4)

In Schedule 23, after clause 12(1)(e), insert:

(f)

fails to provide permission under clause 9(7) to enable the Secretary to obtain relevant information for the purpose of auditing the board member’s continuing eligibility to be a board member.

(5)

In Schedule 23, clause 13(1), replace “A casual” with “Subject to subclauses (3) to (9), a casual”.

(6)

In Schedule 23, repeal clause 13(2).

Part 3 Amendments to other legislation

Amendment to Crown Entities Act 2004

39 Principal Act

Section 40 amends the Crown Entities Act 2004.

40 Section 7 amended (Meaning of Crown entity and categories of Crown entities)

In section 7(1)(e), second column, replace “2020” with “2020, excluding an institution that is a wānanga that is not a Crown entity”.

Amendment to Income Tax Act 2007

41 Principal Act

Section 42 amends the Income Tax Act 2007.

42 Section YA 1 amended (Definitions)

In section YA 1, definition of tertiary education institution, paragraph (a), after “subpart 3 or 4 of Part 4”, insert “or Part 4A.

Amendment to Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987

43 Principal Act

Section 44 amends the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

44 Schedule 2 amended

In Schedule 2, Part 2, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:

Councils of wānanga established under Part 4A of the Education and Training Act 2020

Amendment to Ombudsmen Act 1975

45 Principal Act

Section 46 amends the Ombudsmen Act 1975.

46 Schedule 1 amended

In Schedule 1, Part 2, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:

Wānanga established under Part 4A of the Education and Training Act 2020

Amendment to Tax Administration Act 1994

47 Principal Act

Section 48 amends the Tax Administration Act 1994.

48 Section 32E amended (Applications for RWT-exempt status)

In section 32E(2)(kc), after “subpart 3 of Part 4”, insert “or Part 4A.

Schedule New Part 5 inserted into Schedule 1

s 36

Part 5 Provisions relating to Education and Training Amendment Act (No 3) 2023

Subpart 1—Provisions for Part 4A (wānanga)

89 Wānanga continued

(1)

Wānanga in existence immediately before the commencement of this clause are continued.

(2)

Those wānanga—

(a)

are Crown entities for the purposes of section 7 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 and their councils are boards for the purposes of that Act; and

(b)

are to be treated as if they were established as Crown entities under Part 4A.

(3)

A wānanga that is reconstituted under clause 90 is to be treated as if it were established under Part 4A as a wānanga that is a Crown entity.

(4)

A wānanga that is converted to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity under clause 94 is to be treated as if it were established under Part 4A as a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(5)

The Crown Entities Act 2004—

(a)

applies to those wānanga except to the extent that this Act expressly provides otherwise; and

(b)

ceases to apply to those wānanga that are—

(i)

converted to wānanga that are not Crown entities under clause 94:

(ii)

established as wānanga that are not Crown entities under Part 4A.

Reconstitution of wānanga council

90 Wānanga council may be reconstituted

(1)

The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, reconstitute the council of a wānanga continued under clause 89.

(2)

Before making a recommendation to reconstitute the council of a wānanga under subclause (1), the Minister must—

(a)

consult the council of the wānanga being considered for reconstitution; and

(b)

consult iwi or Māori instrumental in the establishment of the wānanga; and

(c)

consult any other persons or bodies that the Minister thinks fit; and

(d)

be satisfied that any additional functions and purposes of the wānanga that are specified under subclause (4)(a) are consistent with the characteristics of a wānanga set out in section 398D.

(3)

An order made under subclause (1) must—

(a)

revoke and replace any previous order determining the constitution of the council of the wānanga; and

(b)

state the name of the wānanga as reconstituted; and

(c)

make provision for determining the people who are to constitute the wānanga; and

(d)

set out the governance arrangements for the council of the wānanga, including the constitution of the council and the arrangements for the appointment, suspension, and removal of its members; and

(e)

set out the arrangements for conducting meetings of the council; and

(f)

specify the manner in which the policies of the wānanga are to be determined; and

(g)

provide for the establishment and membership of an academic committee to advise the council on matters relating to courses of study or training, awards, and other academic matters; and

(h)

provide for any other matters that are necessary or desirable—

(i)

for good governance of the wānanga:

(ii)

to clarify the arrangements for the administration of the wānanga; and

(i)

specify how the council is to engage with the Public Service Commissioner on the conditions of employment of the chief executive.

(4)

An order made under subclause (1) may—

(a)

specify any functions and purposes of the wānanga and the council that are in addition to any functions and purposes of an institution or its council set out in this Act:

(b)

impose conditions on the performance or exercise of the powers of the wānanga.

(5)

An order made under this clause is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

91 Initial membership of council of reconstituted wānanga

(1)

Before the date of reconstitution of the council of a wānanga, each person or body responsible for appointing or electing members to the reconstituted wānanga council may appoint or elect the number of members of the reconstituted wānanga council required by its constitution to be appointed or elected by that person or body.

(2)

The appointment or election of a member to a reconstituted wānanga council under subclause (1) takes effect on the later of—

(a)

the date on which the appointment or election occurs; and

(b)

the date of reconstitution.

(3)

If on the date of reconstitution a vacancy in the council of the wānanga as reconstituted exists, the person or body responsible for appointing or electing a person to that vacancy—

(a)

may, by written notice to any person who was a member of the council immediately before that day, authorise that person to act as a member of the council until the vacancy is filled; and

(b)

must appoint or elect a person to the vacancy within 3 months after the date of reconstitution.

(4)

The person or body responsible for appointing or electing a person to the vacancy must give a copy of every notice under subclause (3)(a) to the council of the wānanga as reconstituted.

(5)

A person authorised under subclause (3)(a) must for all purposes be treated as a member of the council concerned until the vacancy concerned is filled.

(6)

A council may, before the date of reconstitution, make the statutes under section 398H for the purpose of making appointments or conducting elections of members to the council of the wānanga as reconstituted.

Compare: 2009 No 70 s 19

92 Members of existing council go out of office

(1)

On the date of reconstitution of the council of a wānanga—

(a)

all members of the council of the wānanga immediately before that date go out of office; and

(b)

all the people appointed or elected as members of the council before that date under clause 91 take up office.

(2)

Neither the Crown, the wānanga, nor the council of the wānanga is liable to make a payment to, or otherwise compensate, a person in respect of the person’s going out of office as a member of the council under this clause.

Compare: 2009 No 70 s 20

93 Reconstituted wānanga and council is same institution and council

On and after the date of reconstitution of the council of a wānanga,—

(a)

the wānanga is the same institution and Crown entity that existed immediately before that date; and

(b)

the council of the wānanga as reconstituted—

(i)

is the same body as the council of the wānanga concerned that existed immediately before that date; and

(ii)

has the same rights, duties, and obligations it then had under this Act together with any rights, duties and obligations conferred in the order reconstituting the wānanga.

Compare: 2009 No 70 s 21

Conversion of wānanga

94 Wānanga that is Crown entity may convert to wānanga that is not Crown entity

(1)

This clause applies to institutions that are wānanga—

(a)

established under section 398E; or

(b)

continued under clause 89.

(2)

If this clause applies, the Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, convert the institution to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(3)

Before making a recommendation to convert an institution to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, the Minister must—

(a)

consult the council of the wānanga being considered for conversion; and

(b)

consult iwi or Māori instrumental in the establishment of the institution; and

(c)

consult other persons or bodies that the Minister thinks fit; and

(d)

be satisfied that the functions and purposes of the wānanga that are specified under subclause (4)(e) are consistent with the characteristics of a wānanga set out in section 398D; and

(e)

be satisfied that the accountability arrangements set out in subclause (4)(h) and (i) are sufficient for the effective governance and administration of the wānanga; and

(f)

be satisfied that iwi or Māori specified under subclause (4)(h) as the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable—

(i)

accept responsibility for ensuring accountability of the wānanga and its council; and

(ii)

have access to the skills and resources reasonably necessary to ensure accountability of the wānanga and its council.

(4)

An order made under subclause (2) must—

(a)

revoke and replace any order establishing the wānanga; and

(b)

state the name of the wānanga; and

(c)

provide for determining the people who are to constitute the wānanga; and

(d)

set out the governance arrangements for the council of the wānanga, including the constitution of the council and the arrangements for the appointment, suspension, and removal of members; and

(e)

specify the functions, duties, and purposes of the wānanga and its council; and

(f)

set out the procedures for conducting the meetings of the council; and

(g)

specify the collective and individual duties of the members of the council and the manner in which members will be accountable for the performance of their duties; and

(h)

specify the iwi or Māori to whom the wānanga is accountable to for the effective governance and administration of the wānanga, and the things for which the wānanga is accountable (for example, the progress made towards achieving the purposes of the wānanga); and

(i)

set out what the wānanga must do to ensure adequate accountability for the effective governance and administration of the wānanga, including—

(i)

any requirements for the efficient and prudent financial management of the wānanga; and

(ii)

any requirements for financial reporting and reporting on other matters; and

(iii)

the means by which risk to the operation and long-term viability of the wānanga will be managed, including the range or type of interventions available to address risk; and

(iv)

any requirements for planning the long-term strategic direction and objectives of the wānanga in the performance of its functions; and

(j)

provide for the appointment of a chief executive, including—

(i)

the functions and duties of the chief executive; and

(ii)

the delegation of any functions or duties of the chief executive:

(k)

set out any requirements relating to the appointment of employees of the wānanga; and

(l)

set out the things that the wānanga must do to ensure the fair and proper treatment of employees in all aspects of their employment.

(5)

An order made under subclause (2) may—

(a)

set out, by way of preamble, the contextual background for the conversion of the institution to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, including any acknowledgements by the Crown:

(b)

specify the means by which the council of the wānanga is to engage with the people who constitute the wānanga, and the iwi or Māori that the wānanga is accountable to for its effective governance and administration:

(c)

impose conditions on the performance or exercise of the functions, duties, or powers of the wānanga or its council:

(d)

specify limits on the number of times that people may be appointed to the council:

(e)

specify the term of office of members of the council:

(f)

specify the manner in which policies of the wānanga are to be determined:

(g)

provide for the establishment and membership of an academic committee to advise the council on matters relating to courses of study or training, awards, and other academic matters:

(h)

provide for any other matters that are necessary or desirable to—

(i)

provide for good governance of the wānanga; or

(ii)

clarify the arrangements for the administration of the wānanga.

(6)

An order made under this clause is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

95 Members of council cease to hold office on close of day before date of conversion

(1)

If an order is made under clause 94(2), every member of the council of the relevant wānanga that is holding office immediately before the date of conversion ceases to hold office on the close of the day before that date.

(2)

Neither the Crown, the wānanga, nor the council of the wānanga is liable to make a payment to, or otherwise compensate, a person referred to in subclause (1) in respect of the loss of office.

96 Rights, assets, and liabilities of converted wānanga

(1)

This clause applies to all rights, assets, and liabilities that belong to a wānanga immediately before its date of conversion.

(2)

On and after the date of conversion,—

(a)

the rights, assets, and liabilities of the wānanga that was a Crown entity vest in the wānanga that is not a Crown entity; and

(b)

unless the context otherwise requires, every reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in any enactment (other than this Act), instrument, agreement, deed, lease, application, notice, or other document before that date must be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(3)

In this clause, assets, liabilities, and rights have the same meanings as in section 10(6).

97 Same person for purposes of Inland Revenue Acts

For the purposes of the Inland Revenue Acts (as defined in section 3(1) of the Tax Administration Act 1994), a wānanga that is not a Crown entity must, on and from the date of conversion, be treated as the same person as the wānanga it replaces.

98 Employees of converted wānanga

(1)

On and after the date of conversion, every employee of the wānanga that was a Crown entity becomes an employee of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity on the same terms and conditions that applied to the person immediately before they became an employee of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(2)

For the purposes of every enactment, law, determination, contract, and agreement relating to the employment of that employee,—

(a)

the employee’s employment agreement is to be treated as unbroken; and

(b)

the employee’s period of service with the wānanga that was a Crown entity, and every other period of service of the employee that is recognised by that wānanga as continuous service, is to be treated as a period of service with the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(3)

To avoid doubt, the employment by a wānanga that is not a Crown entity of an employee to whom this clause applies does not constitute new employment for the purposes of any service-related benefits, whether legislative or otherwise.

(4)

An employee to whom this clause applies is not entitled to receive any payment or benefit from the wānanga that was a Crown entity or the wānanga that is not a Crown entity on the grounds that—

(a)

the person’s position in the wānanga that was a Crown entity has ceased to exist; or

(b)

the person has ceased to be an employee of that wānanga because of the transfer to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(5)

This clause overrides—

(a)

Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act 2000; and

(b)

any employment protection provision in any relevant employment agreement.

99 Superannuation schemes

(1)

This clause applies to a person who, immediately before becoming an employee of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity, was—

(a)

an employee of a wānanga that was a Crown entity; and

(b)

a contributor to the Government Superannuation Fund under Part 2 or 2A of the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956.

(2)

For the purposes of the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956, the person is to be treated as being employed in the Government service as long as the person continues to be an employee of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(3)

The Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956 applies to the person in all respects as if the person’s service as an employee of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity were Government service.

(4)

Subclause (1) does not entitle a person to become a contributor to the Government Superannuation Fund if the person has ceased to be a contributor.

(5)

For the purpose of applying the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956, the chief executive of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity is the controlling authority.

(6)

On and after the date of conversion, every reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity as the employer in relation to any superannuation scheme must, unless the context otherwise requires, be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

100 Students of converted wānanga

(1)

This clause applies to every student enrolled at a wānanga that was a Crown entity immediately before its date of conversion to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(2)

On and after the date of conversion, the student must be treated as having been enrolled at the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(3)

A student who would, but for the conversion, have been entitled to be granted an award of the wānanga that was a Crown entity is entitled to be granted a like award of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

101 Visas granted under Immigration Act 2009

(1)

This clause applies to a visa granted under the Immigration Act 2009 in respect of—

(a)

a student, for the purposes of enrolment at a wānanga that was a Crown entity; or

(b)

a staff member of a wānanga that was a Crown entity.

(2)

On and after the date of conversion, any reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in a condition imposed on the visa must be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

102 Existing NZQA approvals, accreditations, and consents

(1)

This clause applies to the following that were granted to a wānanga that was a Crown entity by NZQA under this Act and in effect immediately before its date of conversion to a wānanga that is not a Crown entity:

(a)

an approval of a programme under section 439:

(b)

an accreditation to provide all or part of a programme under section 441:

(c)

an approval to provide a micro-credential under section 445:

(d)

a consent to assess against the standards listed in the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards under section 449:

(e)

a consent to award a degree or a postgraduate qualification under section 454.

(2)

On and after the date of conversion,—

(a)

the approval, accreditation, or consent (including any conditions imposed on an approval, an accreditation, or a consent) must be treated as if it were granted to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity; and

(b)

unless the context otherwise requires, every reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in the approval, accreditation, or consent must be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

103 Existing funding paid by TEC under funding mechanism

(1)

This clause applies to funding (including any conditions imposed on the funding) payable by TEC to a wānanga—

(a)

in accordance with an approval granted under section 425(2); or

(b)

other than via a plan under section 428.

(2)

On and after the date of conversion, —

(a)

TEC must treat the funding for a wānanga that was a Crown entity as if it were payable to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity unless that funding is earlier suspended, revoked, or withdrawn under clause 16 or 26 of Schedule 18; and

(b)

for the purposes of paragraph (a), every reference to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in an approval granted under section 425(2) must, unless the context otherwise requires, be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

104 Other references to converted wānanga that were Crown entities

On and after the date of conversion, every reference to a wānanga that was a Crown entity in any enactment (other than this Act) or document must, unless the context otherwise requires, be read as a reference to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

105 Existing proceedings and other matters

(1)

On and after the date of conversion,—

(a)

any proceedings by or against the wānanga that was a Crown entity may be continued or enforced by or against the wānanga that is not a Crown entity without amendment to the proceedings; and

(b)

a matter or thing that would, but for this clause, have been completed by the wānanga that was a Crown entity may be completed by the wānanga that is not a Crown entity; and

(c)

anything done, omitted to be done, or to be done, by or in relation to the wānanga that was a Crown entity is to be treated as having been done, omitted to be done, or to be done by or in relation to the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(2)

In this clause, proceedings

(a)

means civil and criminal proceedings; and

(b)

includes any enforcement or compliance action by TEC or NZQA.

106 Converted wānanga must provide final report to Minister

(1)

Despite section 45J of the Public Finance Act 1989—

(a)

a wānanga that is not a Crown entity and that is converted from a wānanga that was a Crown entity must provide a final report to the Minister in relation to the wānanga that was a Crown entity in accordance with section 45J(1) of that Act; and

(b)

the Minister may specify the contents of the final report and the date or dates by which the contents of the report must be provided.

(2)

Section 45L of the Public Finance Act 1989 does not apply to a wānanga that was a Crown entity and that is converted into a wānanga that is not a Crown entity under clause 94.

(3)

The Minister must present a copy of the final report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after receiving it.

(4)

In this clause, Minister means the Minister responsible for the time being for administering this Part of this schedule.

107 Validation of pre-commencement actions and processes for appointments to councils of converted wānanga

(1)

This clause applies to any action or process undertaken by a wānanga that was a Crown entity before the date of conversion when appointing members to the council of the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

(2)

An appointment is valid if the action or process substantially complies with this Act and the provisions of the relevant Order in Council establishing the wānanga that is not a Crown entity.

108 Membership of councils of wānanga that are not Crown entities reduced

(1)

The number of members of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is reduced until the date on which each member referred to in the membership provisions of the relevant Order in Council is appointed to the council.

(2)

No action of the council of a wānanga that is not a Crown entity is invalid just because any member referred to in subclause (1) has not been appointed to that council on the date of conversion.

Subpart 2—Provision relating to election of board members who are parent representatives

109 Timing of mid-term elections of board members who are parent representatives

(1)

This clause applies to a board that has decided under clause 4 of Schedule 23 to adopt a staggered election cycle in relation to the election of board members who are parent representatives.

(2)

Despite clause 4(3) of Schedule 23, the board must hold the next mid-term election of those board members that falls due after the commencement of this clause in November 2023.