Information about the Discretionary Pathway (Track 2)

When an applicant provides an International Qualifications Assessment report from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) that states their qualification/s are not comparable to a recognised initial New Zealand teaching qualification, applicants can have a TC0 application considered under the discretionary pathway of Track 2. 

Under this discretionary pathway your qualifications, teaching experience, appraisal material and professional development are taken into consideration as a package.  Based on the information provided, Council will determine whether or not you meet the registration requirement of being ‘satisfactorily trained to teach' in order to grant registration via the discretionary pathway of Track 2. 

Information required to support a Track 2 application

The Council considers these applications at its monthly meetings. There are strict deadlines for material to be provided by, in order for your case to be considered at a meeting. If you are not able to provide the documentation in time for the next monthly meeting then your application will be deferred to a later meeting when we have received the required documentation.

The information you will be asked to provide so that your application can be prepared for Council to consider is as follows:

  • A NZQA assessment report of your qualifications

These should be appropriate tertiary qualifications relevant to teaching in the New Zealand early childhood or compulsory education system and teacher education qualifications acceptable for teaching in the public education system in the country of origin.

  • Certified copies of the transcripts for each of your qualifications

Please also provide details of the practicum component of your teacher education including the length of practicum component, the age of the learners and the type of institution where this practicum was completed.

  • Teaching Service

Evidence of all teaching service should be provided.  If you have any significant gaps in teaching service, please explain these.   You should include details of any senior teaching positions that you have held and of the types of institutions where you have taught (statements of service from the employing authority are preferred)

  • Language Proficiency

Evidence that you meet the Council's current language proficiency requirements.

  • Appraisal and Induction

Evidence of a supervised programme of induction or mentored teaching.  Evidence of appraisal documentation, lesson observations, performance management documentation/reviews relating to recent teaching experience (usually within the last five years)

  • Professional Development

Evidence of continuing education and/or professional development. This should be a documented list of workshops, seminars, in-house training and courses that you have undertaken since gaining your initial teacher education qualification.

  • Support from Professional Leaders

This should be in the form of testimonials or references (on official letterhead, signed and dated) which specifically relate to the Graduating Teacher Standards, and Fit to be a Teacher requirements. These testimonials should be written by the Principal, or Centre Manager in the case of early childhood education services, and in addition testimonials from other senior teachers can be considered.   These should be recent and up to date (usually within the last 10 years)

  • A copy of your current Curriculum Vitae.

Please note:

A Track 2 application is considered on the basis of the package of material you provide.  Factors such as your qualifications, including the content and level at which they have been placed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework by the NZQA, amount and recency of teaching service, appraisal documentation and comments by your professional leader/s attesting to your ability to meet the standards for registration in New Zealand are all taken into account.  It is important that you provide as much relevant information as possible.

The Council makes the decision to approve or decline an application.  When an application is considered in this way there can be no prior assurances given about the final outcome until the Council has made their decision.

Registration Officers are not in a position to predict the decision of the Council as each application is considered as an individual case and all material is reviewed thoroughly by a Subcommittee and then the full Council. 

Please provide certified copies of original documents. We will not return original documentation.

Please do not send information in sleeved folders or bound booklets. We photocopy all relevant documentation and submit all of the cases to Subcommittee members and then Council members well before the meeting date.