The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Te Amorangi Matauranga Matua, was established on 1 January 2003 under Section 159C of the Education Act 1989. The Minister responsible is the Minister for Tertiary Education Hon Dr Michael Cullen. The Associate Minister for Tertiary Education is Hon Jim Anderton.
The TEC’s role is implementing the tertiary education reforms in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The TEC is the lead agency for managing relationships with the tertiary sector and for policy development.
The TEC is responsible for funding the government’s contribution to tertiary education and training offered by universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, wānanga, private training establishments, foundation education agencies, industry training organisations and adult and community education providers.
Through the Tertiary Advisory Monitoring Unit (TAMU), the TEC also monitors the financial, leadership and governance performance of all 33 tertiary education institutions.
The TEC works with the tertiary education sector to implement the government’s Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) and Statement of Tertiary Education Priorities (STEP). A priority for the TEC is to work closely with other government agencies that share responsibility for developing New Zealand’s knowledge society. The TEC takes an active role in facilitating collaboration and co-operation within the tertiary education system, as well as to facilitate greater system connectedness to New Zealand businesses, communities, iwi and enterprises.
The long-term outcome we want is a well-performing network of provision that produces quality outcomes for learners, stakeholders and supports government's goals for: economic transformation, families young and old, and national identity.
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Our Mission
The TEC works with the tertiary education sector and others to enhance the relevance of, foster excellence in, and enable access to tertiary education and training so that all can meet their full potential and contribute to New Zealand’s ongoing development and wellbeing.
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Our operating principles
Effective and efficient
(the nature of our services)
- Collaboration to achieve consistency
- Service delivery tailored to needs (eg. regional or national focus)
- Solutions focussed
- Focus on achievement of outcomes
- Focus on what's important
- Consistency of service delivery and messages
- Realistic expectations
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Open and transparent
(the nature of our operating)
- Inclusive, transparent and timely
- Open, accurate and timely communications
- High professional standards
- Principles based
- Cognisant of our role as an agent of the Crown
- Consultative
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Learning organisation
(the nature of our organisation)
- Empowering staff to take risks responsibly and thoughtfully
- Learning from successes and mistakes
- Providing for individual and team development
- Building integrity and trust
- Utilising internal and external expertise
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Legislation
- Education Act 1989
- Industry Training Act
- Modern Apprenticeship Training Act 2000
Copies of these Acts can be found at the Interim Website of New Zealand Legislation view (opens in new window)