Feedback on the future shape and direction of New Zealand's maritime qualifications and operational limits is now being sought by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) as part of a major qualifications and operational limits review (QOL Review). The QOL Review aims to develop a clearer and more logical framework for qualifications and operational limits to meet the needs of New Zealand's commercial maritime sector, now and in the future.
This review is expected to take two years, with a new framework due to be released in February 2011. There will be opportunities for the maritime community to get involved at several stages during the review process, as their input is vital to help shape the new framework.
The first stage of the review - a community engagement programme – has been completed. Between July and November 2009 MNZ visited 12 regions and interviewed 385 representatives of the maritime community to identify issues with existing qualifications and operational limits, and what changes are required to better meet business needs. These discussions also pinpointed what is working well.
The QOL Review project team thank everyone who welcomed us and freely shared their views during this valuable exercise. This information will be used to help direct the design of the new framework.
The key themes to emerge from the community engagement programme are being released to the industry for comment at the end of January 2010. There will be further opportunities for input as the review progresses.
You can make comments or ask questions about the qualifications and operational limits review at any time using our dedicated feedback line. Please email them to: qolreview@maritimenz.govt.nz.
This page will also be regularly updated so that interested parties are kept informed of developments.