59225 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education

Written Question

Published date: 21 Jan 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	59225 (2025)
Question asked:	16 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Shanan Halbert
Portfolio:	Minister for Vocational Education
Minister replying:	Hon Penny Simmonds
Answer received:	14 Jan 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_59225_2025
Document guid:	337b7578-5465-4ede-b5eb-5d6be735b13f

59225 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education: What concerns, if any, have been raised with the Minister about the ability of Industry Skills Boards to operate fully from 1st January 2026?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Concerns have been raised that Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) may not initially have the capacity to perform their full programme endorsement function for three to six months after establishment on 1 January 2026. To minimise disruption, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and the Tertiary Education Commission are working with the ISBs to develop endorsement criteria and processes.