NZUSA Welcomes New Learner Wellbeing And Safety Code

Friday, 16 July 2021, 11:58 am
Press Release: NZUSA

The New Zealand Union of Students' Associations welcomes today’s release of the final code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary and international students.

"The new Pastoral Care Code is ground-breaking for students across the tertiary sector. For too long their wellbeing has not been truly valued by universities and polytechnics and has been ignored when it suits providers. A Code that empowers learners and creates consistency is a major step towards creating a barrier-free education sector”.

“It is heartening that the Ministry of Education listened to the submissions of students and has strengthened their voice throughout the Code. Students are the experts at being students and the new Code truly reflects this fact," says National President Andrew Lessells.

Lessells says that “the better support is well overdue, but the new Code released today has been worth the wait. The voices of the sector have been genuinely heard and embedded which is fantastic”.

However, Lessells cautions that the Government’s commitment to learners, whānau and communities in the Code needs to filter through to tertiary institutions across Aotearoa.

“The implementation of the Code will be crucial to its overall success. The learner-centric design of the Code must carry through and guide every interaction with it. This is the start of better wellbeing and safety of learners, not the end, but it’s a very good start”.

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NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations

We stand for opportunity, for all.

NZUSA is the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations, the national body that represents New Zealand's students' associations and the interests of New Zealand's 400,000 students at universities, polytechnics and in trades training.

We conduct original research, advocate to Government and through the media, and support New Zealand's students' associations to be more effective on behalf of their members. We advocate alongside Te Mana Akonga – The National Māori Students' Association, and Tertiary Women New Zealand – The NZUSA Women's Caucus.

Since 1929, we've believed in a society rich in opportunity, where anyone from anywhere can become any thing. We support accessible, affordable quality public tertiary education.

Contact NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations

• Website - www.students.org.nz
• Twitter - @studentsnz
• Email - president@students.org.nz
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• Physical Address - Level 8 Education House, Wellington, 6011
• Postal Address - PO Box 101091 Wellington
• Phone - +64 27 868 4989