Updated 5 September 2025
Level 5 and 6 Skill Standards submitted to NZQA for evaluation
Skill standards to support the qualifications of the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) with strand in Leadership, and the New Zealand Diploma in Strategic Leadership (Level 6), have been submitted to NZQA for evaluation.
The skill standards have been developed to align to the Graduate Profile Outcomes of the New Zealand Diploma in Leadership (Level 5) [Ref: 2459-3] and the New Zealand Diploma in Strategic Leadership (Level 6) [Ref: 5355-1].
The skill standards are also designed to be generic and can be used in programmes with leadership components.
Across all the skill standards, we will include:
The tables show how the standards were designed to meet the graduate profile outcomes of the New Zealand Diploma in Leadership (Level 5) [Ref: 2459-3] and the New Zealand Diploma in Strategic Leadership (Level 6) [Ref: 5355-1].
Please find copies of the draft skill standards submitted for evaluation.
| 2459 New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) – Leadership strand | ||
| GPO | Credits | Skill Standard – ALL Working Titles |
| Lead with kaitiakitanga to identify operational challenges and apply continuous improvement techniques to support an entity’s performance.
|
15 | · Assess operational issues and apply continuous improvement techniques to support an entity’s performance |
| Lead others to implement activities that contribute to an entity’s planned changes and improvements to support its performance.
|
15 | · Plan and lead activities requiring a change process to support an entity’s performance |
| Implement strategies to build a positive workplace culture and team culture that values diversity and supports an entity.
|
15 | · Implement strategies for a positive, diversity inclusive, workplace culture |
| Communicate to lead using interpersonal and influencing techniques to support an entity’s performance.* | 15 | · Use interpersonal and influencing techniques to support an entity’s performance |
*This GPO is about communicating as a leader to mentor, coach, influence team and people rather than stakeholders. There are other GPO in the Core that covers communication with stakeholders. These are:
| 5531-1 New Zealand Diploma in Strategic Leadership (Level 6) | ||
| GPO | Credits | Skill Standard – ALL Working Titles |
| Evaluate the impact of current influences on an organisation’s operations and make strategic recommendations to support an organisation’s performance. | 30 | · Evaluate the impact of current influences on operations to support an organisation’s performance |
| Lead people to enable achievement of strategic organisational goals to support an organisation’s performance in a professional and ethical manner. | 15 | · Lead people to enable achievement of individual and/or organisational goals in a professional and ethical manner |
| Implement continuous improvement strategies to support an organisation’s performance. | 15 | · Apply continuous improvement methodologies and/or strategies to support an organisation’s performance |
| Lead and implement change to support an organisation’s performance. | 30 | · Lead people and influence change to enhance growth in an organisation |
| Develop and evaluate strategies for a positive workplace culture that values diversity and supports an organisation’s performance | 30 | · Develop and evaluate strategies for a positive workplace culture to value team engagement and diversity. |
Update on Level 3 and Level 4 skill standards
Between July 2024- May 2025, Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council engaged with industry and education organisations to develop skill standards to align with the graduate profile outcomes of the New Zealand Certificate in Leadership (Level 3) [Ref: 5304] and the New Zealand Certificate in Leadership (Level 4) [Ref: 5306].
The standards were submitted to NZQA in June for evaluation. The standards are currently being evaluated and we are working on responding to the evaluation.
Below is a list of the standards under evaluation. The tables show how the standards were designed to meet the graduate profile outcomes of the New Zealand Certificates in Leadership, levels 3 and 4. The standards are also designed to be used in any programme with leadership components.
| New Zealand Certificate in Leadership (Level 3) | ||
| Graduate Profile Outcome | Credits | Skill Standards – ALL Working Titles |
| Identify and adopt strategies to enhance personal strengths and values to lead within own contexts and responsibilities. | 10 | · 40868 Use strategies to enhance personal strengths and values in a leadership context |
| Utilise self-reflection to evaluate professional and ethical behaviour, and the impact on others, in a leadership context | 10 | · 40869 Act professionally and ethically to support organisational values in a leadership context
· 40870 Apply self-reflection to evaluate a leadership activity |
| Communicate effectively in a socially and culturally responsible manner within a leadership context. | 10 | · 40871 Apply and adapt communication skills to lead a task or activity |
| Contribute to decision-making and/or solution-building within own contexts and responsibilities. | 10 | · 40872 Contribute to decision-making and/or solution building on a leadership task or activity |
| New Zealand Certificate in Leadership (Level 4) | ||
| GPO | Credits | Skill Standard – ALL Working Titles |
| Lead others and manage workflows to establish and achieve objectives.
|
20 | · 40873 Lead people and manage workflows to achieve an objective or outcome of an activity |
| Apply self-reflection and self-assessment to enhance leadership and management practice. | 10 | · 40874 Enhance leadership through self-reflection and self-assessment |
| Assess situations and apply leadership skills to respond effectively.
|
10 | · 40875 Assess and respond to situations requiring leadership action |
| Promote an inclusive environment to value diversity for positive performance for the organisation. | 5 | · 40876 Foster an inclusive environment in a leadership activity
|
| Communicate to develop effective relationships with team members and other parties. | 10 | · 40877 Use communication tools and techniques to enhance relationships with team and other parties as a leader
|
| Role-model and promote professional and ethical practices within a leadership role. | 5 | · 40878 Promote professional and ethical practices in a leadership activity for a team and/or organisation |
