Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698750248158.pdf (New Zealand)
Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 (SL 2021/369) Cindy Kiro, Governor-General Order in Council At Wellington this 15th day of November 2021 Present: Her Excellency the Governor-General in Council These rules are made under section 539 of the Education and Training Act 2020— on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council; and on the recommendation of the Minister of Education made after complying with section 539(2) of that Act.
Contents Title Commencement Application Interpretation Page 3 3 3 3 (a) (b) 1 2 3 4 Note The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

These rules are administered by the Ministry of Education.
1 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 Part 1 Dispute resolution process Lodging disputes How to lodge dispute with DRS operator Support to enable student claimant to make claim DRS operator determines eligibility and provides initial response When DRS operator may decline to accept dispute DRS operator to inform parties of information sharing Initial response of DRS operator to claim General approach to resolving disputes General approach to resolving disputes Support for parties in resolution of dispute Disputes may be combined Consensual methods or adjudication to resolve dispute DRS operator must appoint practitioner for resolution of dispute DRS operator must ensure parties are aware of conditions of scheme Resolution of disputes by consensual methods Confidentiality of consensual methods Adjudication of disputes Basis for adjudication [Revoked] Adjudicator may request information necessary for resolution of dispute in adjudication Disclosure of information to other parties to adjudication Student claimant may request certain information not be disclosed to provider Adjudicator must ensure parties to adjudication are kept informed Use of information in adjudication Decision by adjudication When final decision binding Remedies under final decision in dispute resolved by adjudication Termination of dispute resolution process Termination of dispute resolution process Part 2 Administration of scheme Functions and powers of DRS operator Functions of DRS operator Powers of DRS operator DRS operator may extend time frames Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 DRS operator must appoint sufficient number of practitioners for scheme DRS operator must ensure accessibility of scheme DRS operator must maintain
 record of disputes Reporting and accountability of scheme DRS operator must publish case studies and thematic reviews DRS operator must report systemic issues, etc Annual report Monitoring operation of scheme r 4 15 16 16 16 17 17 19 Title Rules These rules are the Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021.
Commencement These rules come into force on 1 January 2022.

Application These rules apply to the resolution of disputes between domestic tertiary stu‐ dents (and former and prospective domestic tertiary students) and providers under the scheme.
4 Interpretation In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,— Act means the Education and Training Act 2020 adjudicator means a person appointed by the DRS operator to resolve disputes by adjudication appoint includes engage or employ caregiver has the same meaning as in section 386AAA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 code means a code of practice issued under section 534(1)(a) or (c) of the Act, but only to the extent that it relates to domestic tertiary students code administrator means a person or an agency appointed under regulations made under section 648 of the Act consensual methods means dispute resolution processes in which the parties reach mutual agreement on the outcome of the dispute (for example, facilita‐ tion or mediation) 3 r 4 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 dispute— (a) means a dispute between a domestic tertiary student (or a former or pro‐ spective domestic tertiary student) and a provider that relates to either of the matters set out in section 536(2) of the Act; and (b) includes a contractual dispute in relation to the quality of education received by a domestic tertiary student (or a former domestic tertiary student) if an education quality assurance agency has taken action against the provider under section 348(4), 350(1)(a) to (ca) or (2), or 459(6) of the Act DRS operator means a person or an agency appointed under section 536(4) of the Act to administer the scheme education quality assurance agency, for the purposes of these rules, means— (a) (b) NZQA (see section 253(b) of the Act): the Vice-Chancellors Committee (see section 253(c) of the Act) family group, in relation to a domestic tertiary student, means a family group, including an extended family,— (a) in which there is at least 1 adult— (i) (ii) with whom the domestic tertiary student has a biological or legal relationship; or to whom the domestic tertiary student has a significant psycho‐ logical attachment; or (b) that is the domestic
 tertiary student’s whānau or other culturally recog‐ nised family group legal guardian, in relation to a domestic tertiary student, means a person who, by court or testamentary appointment, is responsible for the student’s well- being and financial support mana includes a person’s intrinsic value and inherent dignity derived from the person’s whakapapa (genealogy) and their belonging to a whānau, hapū, iwi, or family group in accordance with tikanga Māori or its equivalent in the person’s culture practitioner means a person appointed by the DRS operator to resolve dis‐ putes by consensual methods or by adjudication scheme means the student contract dispute resolution scheme established by section 536 of the Act, but only to the extent that it relates to domestic tertiary students (and former and prospective domestic tertiary students) serious misconduct, in relation to a provider, means misconduct that the DRS operator considers, on reasonable grounds, to be fraudulent or grossly negligent or a breach of any applicable legislation or the code specified body has the meaning given to it by section 536B(3) of the Act 4 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 1 r 5 student claimant, in relation to a provider,— (a) means a person who— (i) (ii) (iii) is a domestic tertiary student enrolled by the provider; or is a former domestic tertiary student enrolled by the provider; or intends to be, or is in the process of being, enrolled by the pro‐ vider as a domestic tertiary student; and (b) includes a parent, caregiver, or family group member of a person referred to in paragraph (a), acting with the consent of that person; and (c) includes a legal guardian of a person referred to in paragraph (a) systemic issue means an issue that has material implications that not only affect the parties to a particular dispute but also relate to the systems, pro‐ cesses, conduct, or operation of the— (a) provider
 who is the subject of a claim; or (b) wider tertiary education system tikanga Māori includes Māori customary law and practices.
Rule 4 dispute: replaced, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amend‐ ment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).

Rule 4 specified body: inserted, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).

Part 1 Dispute resolution process Lodging disputes 5 How to lodge dispute with DRS operator (1) A student claimant may lodge a dispute against a provider by making a claim under the scheme to the DRS operator.
(2) A claim must set out the following information: (a) (b) (c) (d) the student claimant’s name: confirmation that the student claimant is a domestic tertiary student (or a former or prospective domestic tertiary student): the name of the provider: sufficient information about the dispute to enable the DRS operator to assess whether to accept the dispute.

(3) A claim may be made in writing or orally.


(4) The DRS operator must record in writing a claim made orally and confirm the record of the claim with the student claimant.

5 Part 1 r 6 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 (5) A student claimant must not be charged a fee for making a claim under the scheme.
6 (1) Support to enable student claimant to make claim To enable a student claimant to make a claim, the DRS operator must, where appropriate and at a reasonable cost,— (a) (b) provide additional support (for example, interpretation, translation, or language services): refer the student claimant to support services outside the DRS operator (for example, student advocacy, disability support, or well-being support services).
(2) If requested by the student claimant, the support and services must be inde‐ pendent of the provider against whom they have lodged a dispute.
DRS operator determines eligibility and provides initial response 7 (1) When DRS operator may decline to accept dispute The DRS operator may decline to accept a dispute for resolution under the scheme if it considers that the scheme does not cover the dispute for 1 or more of the following reasons: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) the provider has not been given an adequate opportunity to resolve the dispute: the dispute has been dealt with in another forum, unless new evidence or other information has come to light that the DRS operator believes on reasonable grounds should be considered: the dispute is being dealt with in another forum, unless the student claimant withdraws the dispute from the other forum: the dispute would be more appropriately dealt with by a court, a tribunal, or another appropriate authority: the dispute has been previously dealt with under the scheme, unless new evidence or other information has come to light: the claim is trivial, frivolous, or vexatious: as a result of a delay in lodging the dispute, it is no longer possible to obtain sufficient evidence or other information for resolution of the dis‐ pute under the scheme.
(2) This clause does not apply if the District Court has, under section 538 of the Act, enforced a resolution that is binding under section 536(7) of the Act.
8 DRS operator to inform parties of information sharing Before it accepts or declines to accept a dispute, the DRS operator must inform the parties to the dispute of the following matters: 6 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 1 r 10 (a) how the DRS operator must perform or exercise its functions, powers, and duties under section 536A of the Act in resolving a dispute; and (b) that certain information about the dispute— (i) must be provided to a specified body on request made under sec‐ tion 536B of the Act; and (ii) may be provided to a code administrator or a quality assurance agency under section 536C of the Act.
Rule 8: replaced, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).
Initial response of DRS operator to claim The DRS operator must give written notice to the student claimant and to the provider within 10 working days after the claim is made that— (a) acknowledges the lodging of the dispute and the nature of the dispute; and (b) states— (i) (ii) that the dispute is accepted; or that the dispute is not covered by the scheme and explains why; and (c) (d) (e) if appropriate, refers the student claimant to the code administrator or another appropriate authority; and if the provider has not yet had the opportunity to resolve the dispute, refers the student claimant to the provider; and if the dispute is accepted, outlines the next steps in the process for deal‐ ing with the claim (for example, requests for further information or sug‐ gested dates for a meeting).
The DRS operator must inform the relevant education quality assurance agency of the nature of the dispute and whether it has been accepted by the DRS oper‐ ator or referred to the code administrator or another appropriate authority.

If the DRS operator declines the dispute, the DRS operator must refer the stu‐ dent claimant to support services outside the DRS operator (for example, stu‐ dent advocacy, disability support, or well-being support services).
General approach to resolving disputes General approach to resolving disputes The DRS operator and practitioners must consider and deal with a dispute in a timely, accessible, culturally safe, and competent manner and, in particular, in a way that— (a) (b) [Revoked] [Revoked] 7 9 (1) (2) (3) 10 (1) Part 1 r 11 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 (c) upholds the mana of the parties to a dispute; and (d) where appropriate, has regard to the specific cultural needs or circum‐ stances of the parties in the dispute resolution process; and (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) takes into account the age of the student claimant (for example, the need to communicate in ways that are appropriate for a person of a particular age); and ensures that all learners, including disabled learners, can fully access and participate in the dispute resolution process; and encourages the parties to work towards a shared understanding of the dispute and a mutually agreed solution; and prioritises and maximises the use of consensual methods to resolve the dispute, unless those methods are not appropriate for resolving the dis‐ pute; and promotes restorative justice between the parties and is consistent with the principles of natural justice; and for consensual methods, is on a without prejudice basis; and for adjudication, takes the views of the parties into account in deciding measures to resolve the dispute.
(2) [Revoked] Rule 10(1)(a): revoked, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).

Rule 10(1)(b): revoked, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).

Rule 10(2): revoked, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).
11 (1) Support for parties in resolution of dispute The DRS operator must allow parties to the dispute to have the following people in attendance during the dispute resolution process: (a) (b) an advocate: a support person or persons.

(2) The DRS operator must provide the opportunity for te reo Māori or New Zea‐ land sign language to be used in the dispute resolution process.
(3) Where appropriate and at reasonable cost, the DRS operator must— (a) (b) provide additional support to student claimants and providers (for example, interpretation, translation, or language services): refer the student claimant to support services outside the DRS operator (for example, student advocacy, disability support, or well-being support services).
8 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 1 r 15 12 Disputes may be combined The DRS operator may, after taking into account the views of the parties, com‐ bine disputes for single resolution when the DRS operator considers that it is sensible to do so.
13 (1) (2) (3) (4) 14 (1) Consensual methods or adjudication to resolve dispute The DRS operator must, after taking into account the views of the parties, decide whether to use consensual methods or adjudication to resolve a dispute.

The DRS operator must offer to use consensual methods unless, in the circum‐ stances of the case, there are good reasons not to offer to use them.
The DRS operator may, after taking into account the views of the parties, decide at any time to refer the parties to adjudication if the DRS operator is satisfied that consensual methods are not working.

The practitioner may, after taking into account the views of the parties, decide the procedures to be followed under the dispute resolution process, consistent with these rules.
DRS operator must appoint practitioner for resolution of dispute The DRS operator must appoint as a practitioner in a dispute under the scheme only a person who is independent of the parties to the dispute.

(2) When appointing a practitioner, the DRS operator must take into account the student claimant’s preference and needs regarding a person to be appointed (including, without limitation, the gender, cultural background, knowledge of tikanga Māori, and te reo Māori fluency of the person to be appointed).
(3) If a dispute proceeds from consensual methods to adjudication, the practitioner for the consensual methods must not act as the adjudicator, unless the parties agree.

(4) An adjudicator may refer a dispute that is in adjudication back to consensual methods at any time before the adjudicator gives notice of their proposed deci‐ sion under rule 23(1) if— (a) (b) the parties agree; and the adjudicator considers that is in the interests of the parties to do so.
(5) If the parties return to consensual methods under subclause (4), the DRS oper‐ ator must appoint a new practitioner to resolve the dispute.
15 DRS operator must ensure parties are aware of conditions of scheme The DRS operator must ensure that the parties to the dispute are aware of— (a) the conditions of entering the scheme, including the conditions set out in the following rules: (i) rule 16 (confidentiality of consensual methods): 9 Part 1 r 16 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) rule 17(a) (adjudicator not bound by rules of evidence or previous decisions): rule 17(b) (adjudicator must determine dispute according to sub‐ stantial merits and justice of case): rule 19 (DRS operator must confirm that party to dispute consents to full disclosure of information to other parties): rule 34 (DRS operator must report systemic issues, serious mis‐ conduct, and breach of rules); and (b) the nature of the dispute resolution process, including the prioritisation of consensual methods over adjudication.
Resolution of disputes by consensual methods 16 (1) Confidentiality of consensual methods The persons specified in subclause (2) must, unless authorised to do otherwise by the parties or the relevant party, keep confidential— (a) (b) (c) any agreement for the resolution of a dispute by consensual methods; and any statement, admission, or document made or created for the purposes of consensual methods; and any information that, for the purposes of consensual methods, is dis‐ closed in the course of the consensual methods.
(2) The persons are— (a) (b) (c) (d) the practitioner: a party to the consensual methods: a person who assists a party or who assists a practitioner: the DRS operator or a person employed or engaged by the DRS operator.

(3) No evidence is admissible in any court or tribunal, or before any person acting judicially, of any agreement, statement, admission, document, or information that is required by subclause (1) to be kept confidential.
(4) However, this rule does not— (a) (b) (c) prevent the discovery or affect the admissibility of any evidence that would otherwise be discoverable or admissible and that existed inde‐ pendently of the consensual methods merely because the evidence was presented in the course of the consensual methods; or prevent disclosure where disclosure is otherwise authorised or required by law; or prevent the use of anonymised data for reporting, monitoring, evalu‐ ation, or research purposes.
10 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 1 r 20 Adjudication of disputes 17 Basis for adjudication [Revoked] Rule 17: revoked, on 1 August 2022, by section 74 of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38).
18 (1) Adjudicator may request information necessary for resolution of dispute in adjudication The adjudicator may request information from the parties if necessary for and relevant to the resolution of a dispute by adjudication.

(2) When requesting information, the adjudicator may specify a reasonable period within which a party must supply the information.
(3) The adjudicator must advise the parties that— (a) they are not required to supply the information requested if— (i) (ii) (iii) the supply of the information would breach an obligation of confi‐ dence owed to a third person who has refused consent to the sup‐ ply of the information; or the information is subject to legal professional privilege or was provided to the party on a without prejudice basis; or the party does not have the information or it is not within their control; and (b) a failure or refusal to supply information requested (if none of the excep‐ tions in paragraph (a) apply) may weaken their claim or result in termin‐ ation of the dispute resolution process.
19 Disclosure of information to other parties to adjudication The adjudicator must confirm that a party to an adjudication (A) consents to the full disclosure to the other parties of information supplied by A that is rele‐ vant to the claim.

20 Student claimant may request certain information not be disclosed to provider (1) A student claimant may request that their sensitive personal information not be disclosed to the provider without the student claimant’s consent.
(2) (3) If a student claimant has made a request under subclause (1), the adjudicator must not disclose the information to the provider, unless the adjudicator believes that the provider would be unreasonably disadvantaged in their ability to respond fully and fairly to the claim.

If the adjudicator decides that the information should be disclosed to the pro‐ vider, the adjudicator must first notify the student claimant before disclosing the information to the provider.
11 Part 1 r 21 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 21 (1) (2) (3) 22 (1) (2) 23 (1) (2) (3) Adjudicator must ensure parties to adjudication are kept informed The adjudicator must keep the parties to an adjudication informed about pro‐ gress in resolving the dispute and the procedure, or any changes in the proced‐ ure, including— (a) (b) (c) how information and evidence is to be presented in the adjudication; and the rights and obligations of the parties in the adjudication (if any); and the period of time required to hear evidence; and (d) when a decision is likely to be made.
The adjudicator must ensure that each party has a reasonable opportunity to be informed of, and to respond to, the arguments or submissions of the other par‐ ties.

The adjudicator must supply the parties with all relevant information, including any information supplied by a party, unless,— (a) (b) in relation to sensitive personal information of a student claimant, dis‐ closure is prohibited under rule 20(2): in relation to other information, the party does not consent to the disclos‐ ure of information.
Use of information in adjudication For the purpose of resolving a dispute, the adjudicator may consider any infor‐ mation obtained by them or supplied to them.
The adjudicator may draw an adverse inference from a failure of or a refusal by a party to— (a) (b) comply with a request for information under rule 18 if none of the exceptions in rule 18(3)(a) apply: consent to the release of relevant information under rule 19, unless it is sensitive personal information that a student claimant has requested not be disclosed under rule 20.
Decision by adjudication Before making a final decision, the adjudicator must give the parties notice of the adjudicator’s proposed decision and the reasons for the decision.

The adjudicator’s notice of the proposed decision must be in writing and must allow a period of 10 working days after sending the notice for the parties to make further submissions and for further consideration of the dispute.
If the dispute is not resolved within the 10-working-day period, and after con‐ sidering any further submissions received from the parties, the adjudicator may make a final decision in the dispute.

(4) The final decision may differ from the proposed decision notified to the parties.
12 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 1 r 26 (5) The adjudicator must give notice in writing to the parties of the final decision and the reasons for the decision.

24 When final decision binding A final decision becomes binding on the parties to a dispute on the date on which notice is given under rule 23(5).
25 (1) Remedies under final decision in dispute resolved by adjudication The adjudicator may direct the following remedies: (a) (b) (c) (d) that the provider make a public acknowledgment and apology that it has committed a breach of the student claimant’s rights or that some other harm has been suffered: that the provider pay the student claimant an amount not exceeding $200,000 for the damage, loss, or inconvenience suffered (for example, the impact on the student claimant’s health, the duration of the dispute, or attempts to resolve the dispute using the provider’s internal processes) resulting from the dispute as judged by the adjudicator: that the provider take any other action directed by the adjudicator to remedy the dispute: that the provider provide any reasonable non-monetary redress for any damage, loss, or inconvenience resulting from the dispute: (e) that the provider— (i) (ii) (iii) review any of its rules, bylaws, or policies relating to the conduct that gave rise to the dispute; or refrain from continuing or repeating the conduct that has given rise to the dispute; or take any other appropriate action (other than an action described in subclause (2)) to resolve the dispute.
(2) The adjudicator may recommend that the provider establish rules, bylaws, or policies that are aimed at preventing the conduct that gave rise to the dispute.
Termination of dispute resolution process 26 Termination of dispute resolution process (1) A dispute resolution process under the scheme is terminated if— (a) (b) the parties notify the DRS operator in writing that they have entered into an agreed settlement; or the student claimant notifies the DRS operator in writing that they have withdrawn the claim, stating the reason for withdrawing the claim, and the DRS operator is satisfied that the student claimant has not been coerced into withdrawing the claim; or 13 Part 2 r 27 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 (c) (d) (e) the student claimant notifies the DRS operator in writing that they intend to apply to a court, a tribunal, or another appropriate authority for reso‐ lution of the dispute; or the DRS operator determines that the dispute is not covered by the scheme; or the student claimant has failed or refused to supply any information requested under rule 18 and— (i) (ii) none of the exceptions in rule 18(3)(a) apply; and the DRS operator notifies the student claimant in writing that it declines to continue consideration of the dispute.
(2) If a dispute resolution process is terminated under subclause (1)(d), the DRS operator must refer the student claimant to the code administrator or an appro‐ priate authority to have their dispute addressed.
Part 2 Administration of scheme Functions and powers of DRS operator 27 (1) Functions of DRS operator The DRS operator has the following core functions: (a) (b) (c) providing an independent scheme for resolving disputes between stu‐ dents and providers that fall within the scheme’s jurisdiction: operating the scheme in accordance with the scheme’s purpose and these rules: resolving, or assisting in resolving, disputes under the scheme by agree‐ ment between the parties or, if applicable, by adjudication.
(2) Other functions of the DRS operator include the following: (a) assisting with the promotion and publication of the scheme, including by working with providers and student representative groups: (b) monitoring compliance with these rules: (c) monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of the scheme: (d) (e) (f) carrying out any other function of the scheme under these rules: assisting with the promotion of effective dispute resolution in the tertiary education system more broadly, providing a more systematic and pre‐ ventative approach to dispute resolution: identifying systemic issues that are emerging through the scheme and reporting them to the education quality assurance agencies, the code administrator, and relevant government agencies.
14 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 2 r 30 (3) The DRS operator has the following specific functions in relation to Māori: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) proactively developing and evaluating the operation of the scheme with Māori to ensure that the scheme has regard to tikanga Māori and is con‐ sistent with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi: taking any action that is necessary or desirable to address any concerns regarding— (i) (ii) the application of tikanga Māori in resolving disputes; or any inconsistency with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in resolving disputes or in the operation of the scheme as a whole: ensuring that its annual reports are accessible to, and appropriate for use by, Māori: generating a range of Māori-specific data and insights that are meaning‐ ful and appropriate for use by Māori, the DRS operator, and education quality assurance agencies: tracking the input, output, and outcome indicators of the scheme’s impact on outcomes for Māori, and making any changes necessary to expedite the achievement of desired outcomes: ensuring that there is no significant or long-term disparity of access or outcomes for Māori in relation to the operation of the scheme.
28 (1) (2) Powers of DRS operator The DRS operator has the powers specifically conferred by these rules and other powers necessary for performing its functions under these rules.

The DRS operator may delegate the performance and exercise of its functions and powers under these rules to any person who is appointed to perform or exercise them.

(3) However, the DRS operator may not delegate a function or power that under these rules must be performed or exercised by an adjudicator.
29 DRS operator may extend time frames The DRS operator may, at the request of a party to a dispute, and where it is reasonable to do so, extend the time frame within which something must be done, including providing information, under these rules in relation to the con‐ sideration or resolution of a dispute.

30 (1) DRS operator must appoint sufficient number of practitioners for scheme The DRS operator must appoint a sufficient number of practitioners to ensure the effective functioning of the scheme.
(2) In appointing practitioners, the DRS operator must— (a) consider a person’s training, qualifications, experience, and personal qualities (including their ability to communicate and work effectively 15 Part 2 r 31 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 with Māori, young people, Pacific people, disabled people, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds); and (b) appoint only persons who are capable of performing the functions of a practitioner; and (c) ensure that a person appointed is able to act independently.
The DRS operator must proactively recruit culturally competent practitioners (including Māori and Pacific practitioners) and disability-inclusive practition‐ ers and support their ongoing professional development.

The DRS operator is responsible for the actions of a person it appoints to per‐ form its functions under these rules.
DRS operator must ensure accessibility of scheme The DRS operator must take all reasonable steps to ensure that students and providers are fully aware of the scheme and know how to access it.

In subclause (1), reasonable steps include providing information about the scheme in te reo Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, and in a range of formats that are accessible for disabled people and people for whom English is not their preferred language.
If 1 or more persons or agencies are responsible for administering the scheme, those persons or agencies must ensure that there is a single contact point for domestic tertiary students (and former and prospective domestic tertiary stu‐ dents) to access the scheme (for example, a single Internet site, telephone num‐ ber, and email address).
DRS operator must maintain record of disputes The DRS operator must maintain a record of all disputes lodged with the oper‐ ator and the outcome of the disputes, including a copy of any agreement for the resolution of a dispute by consensual methods and a summary of any decision made by an adjudicator.

(3) (4) 31 (1) (2) (3) 32 (1) (2) A person or an agency who is no longer the DRS operator must make the record available to a person or an agency appointed to be responsible for administering the scheme.
Reporting and accountability of scheme DRS operator must publish case studies and thematic reviews Subject to appropriate safeguards and redactions for the purposes of protecting privacy of personal information, the DRS operator must, for the purposes set out in subclause (4),— (a) compile and publish— (i) case studies; and 33 (1) 16 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 2 r 35 (ii) when relevant, thematic reviews of disputes resolved under the scheme; and (b) promote discussion and awareness of those case studies and thematic reviews.
(2) The case studies and thematic reviews may include the following information: (a) (b) (c) the basic facts of a case: the approach taken to resolve the case: the outcome reached.

(3) In compiling and publishing a case study, the DRS operator must obtain the consent of the parties involved in the dispute or disputes on which the case study is based.
(4) The purposes referred to in subclause (1) are— (a) (b) (c) (d) keeping providers, students, and other educational interest groups informed; and raising awareness of best practice among providers to help build sector capability, for example, regarding internal complaints processes; and raising awareness of systemic issues affecting learners and providers; and demonstrating the process of decision making under the scheme and ensuring that the process is transparent.
34 DRS operator must report systemic issues, etc In the course of investigating or resolving disputes by adjudication, the DRS operator must report the following matters to the code administrator, education quality assurance agencies, and relevant government agencies (including, with‐ out limitation, the Ministry and TEC): (a) (b) (c) any serious misconduct by a provider that the DRS operator identifies: any breach of these rules by a provider: any systemic issue that the DRS operator identifies.
35 (1) (2) Annual report The DRS operator must submit to the Minister, by 30 September in each year, an annual report for the year ended on 30 June of that year.
The annual report must include, without limitation, the following information relating to the year in question: (a) the number and nature of each of the following (broken down in each category by types of provider, that is, private training establishments, wānanga, Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and its Crown entity subsidiaries, and universities): (i) disputes accepted: 17 Part 2 r 35 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) disputes not accepted: disputes not accepted that are referred to other agencies (for example, to an education quality assurance agency, TEC, or back to the student claimant’s provider): disputes under subparagraphs (i), (ii), and (iii) that relate to Māori student claimants, including the outcomes of the dispute reso‐ lution processes: disputes resolved by the scheme, noting which method was suc‐ cessful in resolving the dispute: for disputes resolved by adjudication, the number that were resolved in favour of the student claimant and the number that were resolved in favour of the provider: (b) the average length of time taken to resolve a dispute by consensual methods and adjudication: (c) examples of typical cases, subject to— (i) (ii) appropriate safeguards and redaction to protect privacy of per‐ sonal information: the consent of the parties involved in the dispute or disputes on which the examples are based: (d) financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice that demonstrate how the funding of the DRS oper‐ ator has been applied: (e) an outline of the steps taken by the DRS operator to ensure that it is— (i) (ii) operating in a way that is consistent with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, for example, partnering with or empowering Māori to design and deliver dispute resolution services; and having regard to tikanga Māori, including during the dispute reso‐ lution process: (f) (g) any systemic issues or serious
 misconduct by providers identified in the course of investigating or resolving a dispute by adjudication, and how the DRS operator dealt with the systemic issues or serious misconduct: the result of any independent review completed during the reporting year.
The DRS operator must make copies of its annual report available for inspec‐ tion by the public without charge, for example, on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the DRS operator.

The DRS operator must make a copy of its annual report available in te reo Māori and in a range of formats that are accessible for disabled people and people for whom English is not their preferred language.
(3) (4) 18 Version as at 1 August 2022 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Part 2 r 36 36 Monitoring operation of scheme (1) The DRS operator must have a process— (a) (b) for receiving and resolving complaints about the operation of the scheme and must publicise that process (for example, on an Internet site main‐ tained by or behalf of the DRS operator); and for collecting feedback on the operation of the scheme, which must include the following: (i) (ii) (iii) conducting regular client satisfaction surveys for measuring the quality of processes under the scheme, the durability of the out‐ comes under the scheme, and any other appropriate performance indicators: enabling feedback to be submitted anonymously: publishing the results of the survey and anonymous feedback.
(2) A provider or student claimant who is not satisfied with the operation of the scheme or the performance of the DRS operator may complain to the Ministry, but the complaint must not be used to challenge the outcome of a particular dis‐ pute.

(3) The DRS operator must co-operate with any person or body appointed by the Minister to carry out an independent review of the scheme and its operation.

Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2019.

Date of notification in Gazette: 18 November 2021.


Rachel Hayward, for Clerk of the Executive Council.

19 Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 Version as at 1 August 2022 Notes Notes 1 General This is a consolidation of the Education (Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2021 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments.

This presump‐ tion applies unless the contrary is shown.

Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, pub‐ lished as an electronic version, is an official version.

A printed version of legis‐ lation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to con‐ solidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.

4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation Education and Training Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 38): section 74 Wellington, New Zealand: Published under the authority of the New Zealand Government—2022 20