About Code self-review
Code self-review is an ongoing process in which an education provider examines their performance against the Code. It identifies strengths and opportunities for improvement so the education providers can make actual, worthwhile improvements to their practice.
Self-review under the Code is a flexible, scalable, fit-for-purpose process. What self-review looks like in practice will depend on:
- the size of the education provider
- its learners
- its overarching education purposes.
Self-review is a key aspect of quality assurance practice across all types of education provider in the New Zealand context.
On this page
Who needs to complete a Code self-review?
Tertiary education providers and Code signatory schools must complete Code self-reviews and attest to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ confirming that this has been done annually.
Code self-review for tertiary education organisations (TEOs)
Clause 8(1) of the Code outlines a tertiary provider’s responsibilities for undertaking a review of the quality of their learner wellbeing and safety policies and processes to achieve the outcomes and required practices of the Code (see Outcome 1, clause 8(1-3).
There is no prescribed format for undertaking a Code self-review. We encourage TEOs to undertake and document their Code self-review in the format that best suits their organisation’s needs and contexts.
However, we expect that a TEO’s Code self-review demonstrates a comprehensive, authentic, transparent and robust process.
To support TEOs, we have developed guidance and resources that TEOs can choose to use as they navigate their Code self-review. The tools provided in our toolkit can be adjusted to suit a TEO’s needs.
Incorporating Code self-review into TEO self- review
The Code’s requirements to undertake a regular self-review of a TEO’s compliance with and giving effect to the Code, can be met as part of the TEO organisational self-review process.
Through the TEO self-review summary report submitted to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, TEOs will share information about their Code self-review related activity by:
- highlighting key initiatives undertaken to improve practice in the areas of learner wellbeing and safety (this can include sharing success and challenges
- sharing Code-related improvements in their quality improvement plan
- attesting that:
- they are compliant with the relevant requirements of the Code
- a self-review of the organisation’s performance against the Code has been undertaken, and
- the resulting self-review report, including complaints and critical incidents data, is available in an accessible format to learners, staff, and the public, on the organisation’s website.
Questions relating to a TEO’s Code self-review may be included in the annual discussion between a TEO and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ as part of this process.
TEOs are still responsible for making a version of their Code self-review report readily available and accessible to learners, staff and the public, including on their websites where available.
Published Code self-review reports may be a summary of a TEO’s full self-review, but these must include annual complaints and critical incidents data reporting for the previous year.
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ will check that TEOs are meeting these requirements through our performance and compliance monitoring activity separate from the TEO self-review process.
Code self-review and attestation for Code signatory schools
Code signatory schools must also undertake an annual review of their learner wellbeing and safety practices against the Code, whether or not they have enrolled international learners for that review period. You must complete an annual Code self-review to maintain Code signatory status.
Schools will submit a combined attestation for the Code Self Review and International Classes or Courses or Programmes to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ confirming that they have undertaken a self-review of international school learner wellbeing and safety practices against Code outcomes 13-22 by term one of the new school year.
You can submit the attestation form to us by using an online form signed or authorised by the principal, their nominee, or Chair of the Governing Board.
Timing of Code self-review
For TEOs
TEOs should conduct their Code self-review as part of their wider annual organisational self-review and cover the same review period.
For Code signatory schools
Code signatory schools must complete their annual Code self-review by the time they submit their attestation form to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ in term 1 each year.
The Code self-review should cover the previous academic year.
What you need to do
To undertake your Code self-review, your organisation will need to:
- gather relevant data that helps you analyse of the effectiveness of your learner wellbeing and safety policies and processes
- reflect on the data to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of these policies and processes
- use findings to identify strengths, challenges and opportunities for improvement
- where necessary, develop a quality improvement plan that supports continuous improvement of your learner wellbeing and safety system.
All education providers need to keep a record of their Code self-review, including the evidence.
Useful resources
Guidance for Code self-review
Guidance for tertiary education providers and school signatories on how to self-review
Go to the guidelines [PDF, 570KB]
Code self-review tools
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has developed Code self-review tools for tertiary education providers and school signatories
Find the tools
Sample attestation form for Code (2025) and course approval (2026) for school signatories
See a sample of what to expect from the new attestation form:
Code News and Quality Times
Code News
Code News is our dedicated newsletter about quality assurance of pastoral care under the Code. It is released regularly.
Quality Times
A regular sector newsletter for tertiary education organisations regulated by ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.