Important information

At VHNZ, we are dedicated to fostering inclusivity and accessibility for all learners and staff. Our Disability Action Plan (DAP) outlines key objectives and actions to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed and thrive within our organisation.

Policy and Planning:

• Approval and implementation of the VHNZ Disability Action Plan by the Board.
• Stakeholder engagement to support the Disability Action Plan Working Group.
• Review of existing policies for alignment with DAP and educational best practices.
• Promotion of inclusivity through targeted marketing strategies and communication updates.

Learning and Teaching:

• Development of resources tailored to meet the needs of disabled learners.
• Application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in course material development.
• Development of Training Centres and physical resources to align with UDL and leveraging scientific research to create optimum learning environments.
• Improvement of physical and online resources to reduce barriers to access.
• Implementation of assistive technology.
• Upskilling of trainers and support staff.
• Engagement with delivery partners to enhance support for disabled learners.
• Improving standards for monitoring and evaluating the participation and progression of disabled learners.
• Bespoke training for staff to appreciate, value, and support the Disability Action Plan.
• Integration of DAP workshops into VHNZ Biennial Trainers Conference.
• Mandatory training for all staff and trainers in DAP responsibilities.

Sites and Facilities:

• Ensuring all training centres have accessible classrooms and amenities.
• Regular review of site emergency plans to ensure safety and accessibility.

At VHNZ, we strive to create an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can achieve their full potential. Through our Disability Action Plan, we are committed to making meaningful and lasting improvements to support the inclusion and success of individuals with disabilities.

Trainees are informed of their right to appeal any training or assessment decision they may have concerns about at the start of each course. The appeals process is found at the front of each VHNZ Learner Guide.

VHNZ Appeals Procedure

If any trainee has an issue with any assessment or is unhappy with either the assessment result or process, then they should take the following steps:

• Speak to the assessor at the course stating the reasons for being unhappy. If this does not resolve the matter, then;
• Within 10 working days from the end of your course write to the Chief Operations Officer of Vertical Horizonz New Zealand, PO Box 15030, Tauranga, 3144, stating the reason(s) that you are unhappy.

Your appeal to the Chief Operations Officer must include the following:

• All relevant documentation/information in your possession relating to the appealed situation
• A summary of the reasons for the appeal
• Details of what you believe should happen and what you expect as a result of your appeal
• Any other evidence you think is relevant to your appeal case.

You will then receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your appeal within 10 working days.

The Chief Operations Officer will investigate the situation. Once a decision has been made, you will then be advised of the result with 5 working days.

If you are still not satisfied with the outcome of your appeal you are entitled to make a further appeal to any of the following education authorities:

• The relevant Workforce Development Council
• The principal Training Provider, for example a Polytechnic that may be involved
• Your regional Tertiary Education Commission who is the Government representative.

1. For course and programmes of less than three months duration, notification of cancellation or postponement of training must be made in writing.
2. Confirmed training cancelled or postponed by the client within three to five business days of the course commencement date will be invoiced at 50% of the agreed course fee; training cancelled or postponed by the client within two business days of the course will be invoiced at the full quoted rate plus any associated costs, e.g. accommodation/flights booked, rental vehicles, etc. No cancellation fee is charged if 6 or more working days' notice has been given.

We strive to provide a quality learning experience for all of our learners, however if you feel we have not met our standards or your expectations you can make a compliant by filling out this form. 

One of our team will be in touch with you within five working days to discuss your complaint.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the VHNZ complaints process you can refer your complaint to NZQA. Further information on making a complaint through NZQA can be found on their website.

You can also contact Ngā amuamu tauira Study complaints who help domestic tertiary learners and international students resolve disputes with NZ education providers.

Who can receive the learner’s certificate?

New Zealand law and NZQA rules require the recording of learner identification details and course completions on the learners NZQA Record of Achievement and the release of personal information Privacy Act 2020. As such it is the learner who must receive notification of course completion from VHNZ irrespective of who paid for the training.

VHNZ is aware that the above can be difficult for employer needing proof of learner qualifications for contract. We can inform the employer at the time of course completion but must have the permission of the learner.

“Pursuant to Section 346 (1)(h) of the Education and training Act 2020 the Board of VHNZ wishes to advise that Carl McOnie, a VHNZ Board member, has declared a conflict of interest in that he is also CEO of Coastguard Boating Education.

The Board has advised NZQA and has processes and procedures in place to manage the conflict of interest if or when it arises.”

“Pursuant to Section 346 (1)(h) of the Education and training Act 2020 the Board of VHNZ wishes to advise that Karen Rolleston, a VHNZ Board member, has declared a conflict of interest in that she is also a Trustee of ATNZ a registered PTE.

The Board has advised NZQA and has processes and procedures in place to manage the conflict of interest if or when it arises.”

VHNZ General Liability Certificate 2025 - 2026

VHNZ Professional Indemnity Certificate 2025 -2026

Know-the-Code-v2.pdf

Tertiary-Education-Dispute-Resolution-v2.pdf

Education-Code-of-Practice-Strategic-Plan.pdf

Vertical-Horizonz-Pastoral-Code-Self-Review-2023

2024 Code Review Report Card

You can find our policies and procedures here.

If you do not achieve an element of a course, you will be given an opportunity for reassessment.

Trainees who do not meet an objective will be:

1. Informed of the reason(s).
2. Given additional instruction on the aspects where they have not achieved competency.
3. Reassessed in a similar but not identical manner.

No reassessments are programmed for the objectives of the training; however, sufficient time is available during training to conduct reassessments.

Those who pass a reassessment will be credited with a full "Achieved" grade.

Those who do not pass a reassessment will be graded as "Not Achieved" on that module. If time and resources permit, additional reassessment may be conducted at the discretion of the lead trainer, unless otherwise required by the conditions established by a relevant external standard setting body or credentialing agency.

Trainees are informed of their right to have their prior learning and/or their current competency recognised, thus saving them the time and money needed to repeat unnecessary training.

If the trainee wishes to continue with RPL or RCC process with VHNZ they must apply for RPL or RCC in writing (VHNZ RPL RCC Application Form June 2016). They should address their application to the Quality and Compliance Manager of Vertical Horizonz New Zealand, PO Box 15030, Tauranga 3144, or info@verticalhorizonz.co.nz

On approval for RPL/RCC trainees will be required to complete a VHNZ enrolment form and pay the required fee (half the fee for the full course).

VHNZ endeavours to complete a RPL or RCC process within 10 days of receiving the completed enrolment and payment of fee.

The VHNZ RPL and RCC process is limited to VHNZ's approved accreditations. The following general restrictions are noted:

• RPL may not be granted for unit standards that evidence competency for high hazard activities (i.e. working at height, entering a confined space, crane operation, tree felling etc).
• Only full unit standards and all the learning outcomes of a particular course or module will be considered for RPL.
• Only a practical demonstration of competent practice can appropriately assess competency for any skill for an RPL.

Refresher training is training that refreshes the knowledge of the trainee periodically after the initial training has taken place. These refresher periods are used to confirm and enhance an individual's knowledge and update them on any changes within that field.

At VHNZ, certain certificates/unit standards are issued with a ‘recommended refresher date’. Whereas First Aid training is required to be 'refreshed' by law, most training refreshers cannot be enforced but are strongly recommended by Industry.

Refresher Training Important Information:

VHNZ Course Refresher Table

REFRESHER TRAINING

What you need to know:
You must have been assessed against the NZQA unit standards for the course you need refreshed. If you have these unit standards on your NZQA Record of Achievement (ROA), book your refresher course now.

Except for First Aid, VHNZ does not assess against unit standards on refresher courses, therefore we do not report unit standards to NZQA from refresher courses. If you did your last course with VHNZ your unit standards will be on your ROA.

Previous course not with VHNZ?
If you did not do your last course with VHNZ you will need to confirm you hold the unit standard/s you need refreshed by checking your ROA.

Don’t have your ROA?
If you have not yet registered to receive your ROA you can register through the NZQA website as follows: NZQA Learner Registration.

Your unit standard hasn’t been awarded?
If you have not had a unit standard awarded, please contact your last provider to arrange registration of the unit standard/s. If you have any issues you can complain to NZQA by submitting a complaints form via the below link: NZQA Complaint Form.

If you need to do a refresher and do not hold a unit standard, you can still do the refresher. Once you have successfully demonstrated the competencies required by the refresher course, you will be issued a refresher certificate. You will not be awarded the unit standard.

You can set up a Trading Account by filling in the following form and emailing it to accounts@vhnz.co.nz
VHNZ Account Application Form