Investigations
Ngā whakatewhanga
Investigations are a key part of monitoring the performance and compliance of the tertiary education sector.
Investigations are a key part of monitoring the performance and compliance of the tertiary education sector.
The Tertiary Education Commission (the TEC) has a range of powers, under the Education and Training Act 2020 and funding conditions, to conduct investigations ensuring the Government’s investment in tertiary education is used properly.
We begin an investigation of a if we are concerned about practices or behaviours which may put student interests or government funding at risk.
Read our Monitoring Update: February 2018.
TEO investigation guidelines
Our monitoring system is designed to ensure both the burden on TEOs and the level of TEC effort is proportionate to the level of risk. This means investigations vary in size and complexity depending on our concerns, the size of the TEO, and a range of other factors.
All monitoring activities (including investigations) are undertaken in accordance with our monitoring principles, which are included in the investigation guidelines below. These also include guidance on how we undertake investigations, the processes we follow, and how we deal with information supplied by TEOs under investigation.
The Tertiary Education Commission investigation guidelines - 2020 (PDF 788 KB)
Outcomes of investigations
We generally publish investigation outcomes as part of a transparent, consistent approach to monitoring. This helps provide assurance that public funds are being well managed. Publication of investigation findings is also a key way we share learnings from monitoring activities with the sector, and helps other TEOs improve their performance and compliance.
The TEC has the discretion to not publish an investigation report or outcomes. Any such decision is made with reference to the provisions of the Official Information Act. For example, where there are no material findings, or issues identified are only minor, publishing the fact of an investigation may reduce public confidence in a TEO at a level disproportionate to the issues investigated. In such cases, the TEC would seek to share any valuable learnings from the investigation with the sector in another way, including through regular monitoring updates.
When investigation reports or outcomes are finalised and able to be made public, they are published below.
Axiom Training Limited Read the TEC Investigation Report - Axiom Training Limited (PDF 702 KB) Face and Beauty Academy Limited Read the TEC Investigation Report - Face and Beauty Academy Limited (PDF 438 KB) Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Read the TEC investigation report – Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (PDF 762 KB) MSL Training Ltd Read the TEC investigation report - MSL Training Ltd (PDF 603 KB) - February 2021 Workforce Development Limited Read the TEC Investigation Report - Workforce Development Limited (PDF 320 KB) Ngāti Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust Incorporated Read the TEC Investigation Report — Ngāti Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust Incorporated (PDF 388 KB) Crown Institute of Studies Limited Read the TEC investigation report - Crown Institute of Studies Limited (PDF 354 KB) Manaaki Ora Trust (Tipu Ora) Read the TEC investigation report - Manaaki Ora Trust (Tipu Ora) (PDF 307 KB) Manukau Institute of Technology Read the TEC Investigation Report – Manukau Institute of Technology (PDF 581 KB) Sobieski Consultants Read the TEC investigation report - Sobieski Consultants (Training Division) Limited (PDF 1.2 MB) YMCA Read the TEC investigation report – National Council of YMCAs (YMCA) (PDF 529 KB) Service Skills Institute Incorporated Active Institute Competenz Tai Poutini Polytechnic BEST Pacific Institute of Education Reviews From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations. Quantum Education Group EnterpriseMIT College of Natural Health and Homeopathy Reviews From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations. Lincoln University’s Telford Division New Zealand School of Outdoor Studies Reviews From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations. Manaakitanga Aotearoa Charitable Trust Agribusiness Training Ltd Tectra Limited Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre Te Whare Wanānga o Awanuiārangi Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) From 2014-2017, the TEC also conducted ‘reviews’ of smaller or less complex issues at TEOs. The TEC has updated its approach, and only conducts audits and investigations of TEOs. Historic reviews are now considered investigations. The six reviews below focused on TEOs that offered programmes with similar features to those found in two previous investigations at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and WITT. We undertook the reviews to determine whether the issues found in the two investigations were prevalent across the sector. This was found not to be the case. *Note: The TEC accepted the findings from an independent report commissioned by Service IQ.2021
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Reviews