The first Asia Pacific Regional Convention was adopted at the International Conference of States, Bangkok 1983. It was the Asia Pacific region’s counterpart to the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region (The Lisbon Recognition Convention 1997). However, it is a more detailed and technical document. For a number of reasons New Zealand chose not to accede to the 1983 Asia Pacific Regional Convention.

A new Asia Pacific Regional Convention was signed in Tokyo in November 2011.  The obligations under the new Convention are similar to those of the Lisbon Recognition Convention 1997, to which New Zealand has already acceded:

• Under the Asia Pacific Regional Convention, New Zealand would be obligated to recognise the qualifications and periods of study issued by other Parties unless substantial differences could be proved by the institution that is charged with recognition. Alternately, the institution can request the person seeking the recognition to obtain an assessment (a written appraisal) of their qualification or period of study. New Zealand practice already complies with this requirement.
• Upon accession, New Zealand would identify a National Information Centre to facilitate access to authoritative and accurate information on the higher education system and qualifications of New Zealand and other parties to the convention. There would also be provision of advice or information on recognition matters and assessment of qualifications of the other parties. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has been designated as New Zealand’s National Information Centre. It is known as the National Education Information Centre and was established on 30 June 2009. The website can be accessed at: http:/www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/national-education-information-centre/.
• Under the Asia Pacific Regional Convention, Parties would need to promote the use of a Diploma Supplement or equivalent across degree-granting tertiary institutions. A Diploma Supplement is a brief annex to a qualification designed to enhance the transparency and portability of the qualification. Individual institutions would decide whether to adopt the Diploma supplement. New Zealand has already promoted the Diploma Supplement under the auspices of the Lisbon Recognition Convention 1997. After sector consultation, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority published guidelines for implementation of a Tertiary Education Qualification Statement (TEQS – New Zealand’s Diploma Supplement equivalent). The New Zealand Qualifications Authority updates Section 8 (Description of the New Zealand Tertiary Education System) annually. There is a low uptake in the sector at present but New Zealand institutions have the tools to produce Diploma Supplement equivalents when they decide to do so.

Background

On 24 February 2014 [CAB Min (14) 6/7] Cabinet approved the text of the Convention and its accompanying National Interest Analysis (NIA) to be presented to the House of Representatives for consideration by Select Committee and Parliamentary treaty examination in accordance with Standing Orders 397-400. The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade reported the Convention to the House on 28 July 2014, recommending it for accession by Cabinet.  The Convention provides a multilateral legal framework for the improved international recognition of higher education qualifications and periods of study within the Asia-Pacific region. Acceding to the Convention is expected to facilitate the mobility of students and qualification holders between New Zealand and Asia-Pacific countries and improve understanding and recognition of New Zealand’s qualifications internationally. Engaging with this Convention will align New Zealand with its competitors in the export education market and enhance linkages within the Asia-Pacific region. It also supports our policy work on increasing international linkages through the tertiary education system, and facilitating more New Zealanders to study overseas.

New Zealand's instrument of accession was recieved by the UNESCO depository on 01/08/2017. The Convention entered into force in accordance with Article X.2 on 01/02/2018.