A guide to Working Groups and Consultation Groups

The Working Group will be expected to:

• provide technical expertise into the development or review of the qualification(s) or standards in question
• provide critique during the development/review of these products (if needed)
• communicate progress to their networks and obtain feedback and communicate this to Ringa Hora and the Working Group
• endorse the developed or reviewed qualification(s) (if applicable).

The Working Group members will share expertise and liaise with:

• Ringa Hora Qualification Development Facilitator (QDF) and the Project Team
• providers, including schools, wānanga
• iwi and hapū
• pacific peoples
• tāngata whaikaha | disabled people
• the sector
• national associations and other advisory networks and bodies as required.

We request that members:

• contribute constructively and openly to the work of the group
• be professional and bring to the table a sector perspective
• respond to communications
• maintain regular meeting attendance
• confirm accuracy of meeting records/summary.

A working group can be brought together across a three-month period. The frequency of meetings are determined by the group members themselves, but they could meet once a month at a minimum.

Frequently they involve:

• at least one face-to-face meeting, where members come together for a one-day session at a location determined by the group
• some additional online meetings
• reviewing documents outside of meetings and sending through any feedback.

Working group members cover their own costs for travel, transport, accommodation, and meals. Ringa Hora covers costs for catering during in-person meetings and the hiring of the meeting venue.

Qualifications and standards are developed in accordance with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Guidelines for listing New Zealand Certificates at Level 1-6 and New Zealand Diplomas at Levels 5-7 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

The guidelines for listing include information about review processes and registration of Skill Standards on the Directory of Skill Standards (DASS).

Ringa Hora will also be developing/reviewing the qualification(s)/unit standard(s) in line with our four pou | pillars that cement our Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework. Our four pou | pillars are:

• Pono (we are genuine and act in good faith)
• Tika (we are honest and open)
• Mārama (we seek clarity and follow due diligence)
• Aroha (we are compassionate and caring)