About Us - Our Story

Quality Tertiary Institutions (QTI) – Nga Wananga Kounga - is a recognised tertiary education peak sector body providing a strong collective voice for twelve high-quality Private Training Establishments (PTEs). Our members offer a wide range of courses around New Zealand to over 11,000 students from foundation to certificate to degree to post-graduate level. The number of degree programmes offered by QTI members has steadily increased but members are involved in all facets of tertiary study.

QTI is the new name, brand and approach for Independent Tertiary Institutions (ITI) – Nga Wananga Motuhake - which forged a strong reputation in the sector and with government. It was formed in September 2003 after the merger of Association of Independent Degree-granting Institutes (IDI) and the Career Colleges Association (CCA). Independent Tertiary Institutions easily blended the IDI and CCA approaches, as both were focused on collegiality, a constructive approach to policy issues and a quality membership. QTI continues that ethos.

The basic roles of QTI are to:

• Provide a strong, constructive and valued voice for members through constructive submissions, active participation in government meetings and conferences, and linking members directly with politicians and senior bureaucrats through our Board meetings and functions.
• Foster collaboration by bringing members together to honestly discuss best practices, help address any issues they are experiencing, and look for innovation and creativity in others. The aim is always to lift education and organisational performance, and to improve the student experience and outcomes for learners.
• Remain focussed on quality in all aspects of tertiary education at all times. Never be afraid to confront low quality wherever it occurs. It damages the reputation of the entire sector and is unfair on students.
• Work to advance the performance, reputation and equal treatment of the private tertiary sector. PTEs are often faced with funding and policy discriminations compared to public providers, or at least calls for more discrimination to be applied against private providers. The process never occurs the other way round.
• Promote international education by highlighting New Zealand as a world class education system, noting that it receives excellent student satisfaction ratings, and is a major contributor to the local economy. Too often international students are caught up in domestic debates about immigration.

All QTI members receive a seat at the Board.”