THISISGRAEME

Independent NZQA
Micro-credential Development

Supporting Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs), iwi, and industry bodies develop NZQA micro-credentials — minimising resubmissions, delays, or cultural missteps.

Book Your Free Consultation

NZQA Micro-Credential Stress Test

Not ready for a full build?Or want to avoid costly rework before you submit?

We’ll assess your micro-credential concept or draft against NZQA expectations and identify:

  • Gaps that could lead to delays or rejection
  • Risks in assessment design and evidence requirements
  • Alignment with workforce and stakeholder expectations
  • Opportunities to strengthen your application before submission


You’ll get:

  • Clear written feedback
  • Practical next steps
  • Confidence in your direction


Turnaround: 3–5 working daysInvestment: $1,500–$3,000 (depending on scope)
Book a Stress Test

Pre-Submission Audit

If you’re preparing to submit, this is your safeguard.

Request Audit Scope + Pricing

A deeper review of your full application to reduce the risk of:

  • Resubmission cycles
  • Missed criteria
  • Misalignment with NZQA expectations

Includes:

  • Full application audit
  • Detailed feedback across all criteria
  • Recommendations for refinement before submission

Done-With-You Build Sprint

For organisations that want to get it right—quickly.

A structured, collaborative sprint to design and develop your micro-credential with expert guidance throughout.

Includes:

  • Guided design process
  • Iterative feedback
  • Alignment with NZQA and workforce expectations
  • Support through to submission-ready state
Enquire About Sprint Availability
Navigating NZQA’s micro-credential framework felt uncertain—unclear documentation requirements and approval pathways created bottlenecks that slowed our programme development considerably.
Craig Hansen
PhD., MEd.Mgt (hons).,PGCert.CounsStudies., BA., DipTchg., DipEdPsych., DipBusMgt.Entre., DipWebDes. CEO Summit Institute
Our team was struggling to make sense of the micro-credential landscape, too many options, not enough clarity, and no real pathway that reflected the kaupapa of our organisation. Bringing you in changed that overnight. You helped us cut through the noise, map the steps clearly, and align everything with our actual values and our people.
Nathan Waitai
Waiwaka industries limited
“Kere’s expertise and experience in the learning and knowledge centre of NZQA, CUAP, Curriculum development and programme support in the Vocational Education domain were critical for us to create recognised qualifications for our workforces. A new diploma and a suite of micro credentials were made possible – thanks to Kere’s dedicated work beside us, his guidance, and collaborative style. The outcomes of this mahi has redefined workforce developmental success in Maori communities and in the Hauora Maori sector.”
Dr Maria Baker (CEO)

Micro-credential applications are complex, slow, and often rejected.

We translate NZQA complexity and compliance into clear, actionable steps. Our 3-step framework ensures every micro-credential is compliant, culturally grounded, and strategically positioned for success.

See how we do this…

We believe providers deserve better than endless WDC, ISB and NZQA review loops.

With nearly three decades in tertiary education and a proven approval record, we’ve built a system that empowers providers instead of competing with them.

Let’s Connect!

Why providers choose to work with our team over others.

Faster Approvals

Proven track record with fewer resubmissions.

Cultural Integrity

Te Tiriti-aligned design, kaupapa Māori grounding.

Independent Expertise

Not a competitor—your trusted sector ally.

Before

Endless NZQA delays

Unclear compliance pathways

Risk of cultural misalignment

Lost funding opportunities

After

Faster approvals, fewer rejections

A clear 3-step framework

Culturally responsive design

Approved, stackable programmes

The biggest shift was confidence, suddenly we had a structure that made sense, a process we could trust, and a pathway we were proud to move forward with. Your mahi didn’t just make things easier; it made them meaningful.
Nathan Waitai
Waiwaka industries limited
Thanks man! You’re a legend!
Alex Barnes (PhD)
Te Rau Rangahau Manager
Graeme’s targeted guidance crystallised our approach immediately. His responsiveness meant questions were resolved within hours, not days, keeping momentum strong throughout.
Dr Craig Hansen
PhD., MEd.Mgt (hons).,PGCert.CounsStudies., BA., DipTchg., DipEdPsych., DipBusMgt.Entre., DipWebDes. CEO Summit Institute

A Proven Framework That Works for Every Provider

Readiness Assessment

We confirm the scope and map the journey.

Credential Design

We build the credential to NZQA standards.

Application Build

We prepare everything for NZQA — you upload it.

Imagine being the provider known for agility, cultural integrity, and learner pathways that actually work.

That’s the shift micro-credentials make possible—and we help you get there.

Lets Talk!

FAQs

We help organisations design high-quality, NZQA-aligned learning.This includes micro-credentials, learning outcomes, assessment design, programme structure, moderation approaches, and provider capability development.We translate NZQA requirements into clear documentation that supports approval.

We specialise in:
  • Micro-credential design
  • Learning design
  • NZQA application support
  • Assessment and moderation planning
We focus on learning that is practical, culturally grounded, and compliant — not just learning that “ticks a box.”
We work with:
  • Tertiary and vocational organisations
  • Iwi and community groups
  • PTEs and training companies
  • Workplace training teams
  • Industry partners
  • NZQA-registered providers seeking micro-credential approval

Yes. We explain what NZQA expects and convert that into plain, practical steps.We help you map to NZQCF levels, understand credits, align learning outcomes, build assessment documentation, and navigate Form 1, Form 2, and Form 3.

  • Form 1: Listing and Approval of a new micro-credential
  • Form 2: Listing, Approval and Accreditation (when you need approval + delivery rights)
  • Form 3: Accreditation only (for providers adopting an existing micro-credential)
We help you determine which form applies and prepare all required documentation.
Common reasons include:
  • Misaligned learning outcomes
  • Incorrect level or credit structure
  • Weak pathways or purpose statements
  • Insufficient stakeholder evidence
  • Incomplete assessment or moderation planning
  • Missing WDC support (if standards are involved)
We help you avoid these issues through clear design and strong documentation.

es.We can review your draft, identify gaps or risks, strengthen the design, align the learning outcomes, and rebuild sections where needed.We can also prepare the full application if you’d prefer to start fresh.

NZQA approval requires a clear purpose, aligned learning outcomes, a suitable level and credit structure, assessment and moderation plans, stakeholder evidence, and a complete application (Form 1 or Form 2).We prepare all documentation for you.You upload it through your NZQA provider portal; we support you through the process.

Yes — we can support either or both.We can design your micro-credential, build learning materials, train educators and assessors, strengthen your existing programmes, and support delivery through workshops and facilitation.

That’s very common — we can help clarify your idea.We work with you to identify goals, confirm the scope, understand constraints, and recommend the simplest path forward. A short conversation is usually enough to point you in the right direction.

Most applications require:
  • Title, level, credits
  • Purpose and outcomes
  • Education and employment pathways
  • Learning outcomes (NZQCF-aligned)
  • Assessment and moderation approach
  • Review and maintenance cycle
  • Stakeholder and industry evidence
  • CVs of teaching and assessment staff
  • Component descriptors
  • WDC support (if using standards)
We assemble the complete application bundle.

Only if your micro-credential uses unit standards or skill standards.If so, you must obtain WDC support as part of the micro-credential application.We identify required standards, prepare the WDC request, and build the supporting documentation.

NZQA’s published timeframes vary, but most approvals take 6–10 weeks once submitted.If WDC support is required, allow time for that process as well.We help you prepare efficiently so the application is ready for submission without delays.

Yes.We design micro-credentials that stack toward qualifications, career pathways, or industry progression.

Ready to Unlock Your NZQA Approval?

Book Your Free Consultation Now

Takes 30 seconds. No cost. No obligation.