For Limited Authority to Teach
Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) enables people without a teaching qualification to teach in positions where there’s need for specialist skills or skills are in short supply.
Who can apply for a LAT?
Tūranga Whakaako Whai-herenga | Limited Authority to Teach is not a type of practising certificate and it is not for registered teachers nor for permanent employment. It enables people without teaching qualifications to teach in positions where there is a need for specialist skills or skills in short supply.
If you have a specialist skill or skills that are in short supply, but are not a registered teacher, you may apply for a LAT and teach lawfully.
Specialist skill
- A skill which requires a high level of expertise in a specific subject area that is not widely available among registered teachers, for example, musical instrument, language or guidance counselling
Skill that is in short supply
- Teaching positions which should be filled by a registered teacher but for which there are currently no such teachers available because of supply issues in a geographic location. The need for these positions must be demonstrated by an employer and will be considered within a regional context.
If your application is approved your name will appear publicly on an online list of all individuals who hold a Limited Authority to Teach.
A person who holds a LAT may not be appointed to a permanent teaching position. The cost for a LAT is $117.96 for one year.
Requirements for Tūranga Whakaako Whai-herenga | Limited Authority to Teach
In addition to the below requirements please also include in your application for the first issue of a Limited Authority to Teach:
- A full curriculum vitae that shows your experience in an industry or field relevant to the application. This must also detail any curricula or assessment knowledge, or skills
- A written reference from one of your employers, or a practitioner in your relevant industry or field attesting to your knowledge and skills
- Proof of Identity form
For the subsequent reissues of the LAT please provide a statement from the profession leader of the school/kura attesting that your skills/knowledge remain current for the learners you are working with.
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Requirement |
Evidence |
More info |
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You have a specialist skill |
A certified copy of a New Zealand qualification that is at least or equivalent to Level 6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), and which is relevant to your professional skill |
Specialist skills and experience are those that advance the learning of a learner or group of learners |
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You have a skill in short supply |
A certified copy of your New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) that shows your qualification is comparable to a New Zealand qualification; and A full curriculum vitae that shows your experience in an industry or field relevant to the application. This must also detail any curricula or assessment knowledge, or skills; and A written reference from one of your employers, or a practitioner in your relevant industry or field, attesting to your knowledge and skills. In addition to the above, for LAT applications for skills in short supply, you also need to provide a letter from a professional leader of one or more schools in the geographic area you wish to teach, attesting to the skill shortage in the local teaching supply. |
Your qualifications and experience should show your high level of expertise in your professional area. This should include at least five years’ experience or employment, an understanding of the official curricula in the area you want to teach and in which you have expertise, and appropriate assessment tools and strategies for the sector you want to be employed in.
If you do not hold formal credentials, you may be considered on your experience. |
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You commit to the expectations in the Code | Ngā Tikanga Matatika |
A declaration that you are committed to the values and expectations in the Code | Ngā Tikanga Matatika; and A declaration about any matters for which you are under investigation, that might impact your teaching or ability to meet the requirements of the Code | Ngā Tikanga Matatika |
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You have a satisfactory New Zealand Police vet |
Your consent for the Council to apply to New Zealand Police for your police vet; and Confirmation of the types of verified identity documents that you provided to your identity referee. |
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Where applicable, you have satisfactory overseas police vets |
Police vets that you have obtained from the national police service of the issuing country, for any country you have lived in for 12 months or more, in the 10 years before you made your application to the Council; or A statutory declaration for any police vet you are unable to obtain. |
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You are physically and mentally able to carry out a teaching role safely and satisfactorily |
A declaration that you do not have a condition that would affect your ability to teach safely and satisfactorily. If required: Any additional evidence, such as a medical certificate, to support your ability to teach. |
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You are competent in English and/or te reo Māori |
One of the evidence types listed in the Council’s language competency policy. |
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You are committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi |
A declaration that you are committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the learning environment and supporting the aspirations of Māori learners. |
How to apply
To apply for a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) please log into Hapori Matatū | Online Community and complete an online application form.
You will be asked to pay a Limited Authority to Teach fee and levy.
The fee and levy is non-refundable.
Your access to Hapori Matatū | Online Community will be different to that of a registered teacher's. You can submit an application for a LAT online but will not have access to the conversation forum which is for registered teachers only.
An application should be made well before it is needed and extra time allowed to arrange the endorsement.