Skills Active New Zealand

What Skills Active New Zealand does

Skills Active Aotearoa Ltd is a New Zealand not-for-profit vocational education organisation that delivers qualifications and apprenticeships for the active recreation, leisure, entertainment, and events sectors. Founded in 1994 (originally as SFRITO) and headquartered in Wellington, the organisation operates as a Private Training Establishment following the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE), having transitioned from its legacy Industry Training Organisation (ITO) structure. It is jointly owned (50% Māori, 50% non-Māori) and branded under "Hei Mauri Tū," serving employers and learners across ski operations, aquatic facilities, local council recreation services, outdoor education, and entertainment venues nationally.

Its core product is workplace-based vocational training delivered through a national network of registered assessors who conduct on-site assessment against NZQA-registered qualifications. The technical delivery model relies on in-person workplace assessment rather than a proprietary digital learning platform; the public technology footprint is limited to standard web infrastructure including Google Analytics. Standard-setting authority for the sector was transferred to the Toi Mai Workforce Development Council in October 2021, narrowing Skills Active's role to qualification delivery and learner support.

Revenue derives primarily from government funding channelled through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) under New Zealand's unified vocational education funding system, with apprenticeship and qualification completions as the primary funded output. Apprenticeship numbers grew materially (seven-fold to 662 new apprentices in 2020 alongside 1,576 completed qualifications). The organisation has reshaped its portfolio through the 2022 spin-off of work-based learning services into Te Mahi Ako and the 2023 divestiture of Qualworx, focusing the core entity on direct qualification and apprenticeship delivery.

Name

Skills Active New Zealand

Legal name

Skills Active Aotearoa Ltd

Website

https://skillsactive.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Skills Active Aotearoa is a New Zealand not-for-profit vocational education organisation delivering workplace-based qualifications and apprenticeships for the active recreation, leisure, entertainment, and events sectors, funded primarily through TEC government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB), Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM), Communication, Collaboration & Conflict Resolution Skills (EDAMAIAF)

Keywords

• Vocational education training
• Industry qualifications
• Work-based learning
• Apprenticeship programmes
• Recreation training

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Skills Active Aotearoa is a not-for-profit industry training organisation that develops and delivers NZQA-registered vocational qualifications and apprenticeship programmes in the active recreation, leisure, entertainment and events sectors. From October 2022 its work-based learning delivery is operated through wholly-owned subsidiary Te Mahi Ako, providing Level 2 to Level 6 certificates and diplomas that learners complete on the job with support from registered assessors and learning advisors.

Product overview

Skills Active Aotearoa is a not-for-profit industry training organisation (ITO) operating as a unified service offering vocational education and qualifications across the active recreation, leisure, entertainment and events sectors. On October 1, 2022, work-based learning services transitioned to its subsidiary Te Mahi Ako, an independent tertiary education organisation. The portfolio includes a comprehensive suite of NZQA-registered qualifications ranging from Level 2 to Level 6, including certificates and apprenticeships in Aquatics, Sport and Recreation, Exercise, Outdoor Leadership, Entertainment and Event Technology, Performing Arts Teaching, and Tikanga (Matauranga Maori). These programmes are delivered through workplace learning, with support from registered assessors and learning advisors, enabling learners to earn while they learn and gain industry-recognised credentials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Te Mahi Ako Work-Based Learning Programmes Independent tertiary education organisation (subsidiary of Skills Active Aotearoa Group) delivering work-based learning qualifications from Level 2 to Level 6 for the active recreation, leisure, entertainment and events sectors. Learners develop skills through real-life learning within businesses, iwi and communities with support from registered assessors and learning advisors.
• NZC in Aquatics (Level 3) Level 3 qualification for aquatic facility staff, with strands in Pool Lifeguard, Swim and Water Safety Teacher, and Aquafitness Instructor (Ref: 3503). For new entrants to aquatic operations.
• NZC in Aquatics (Senior Pool Lifeguard) (Level 4) Level 4 qualification (Ref: 3506) for senior pool lifeguards in advanced aquatic safety roles.
• NZC in Aquatics (Specialised Swim and Water Safety Teacher) (Level 4) Level 4 qualification (Ref: 3507) with strands in Early Childhood Swimmers, Adult Swimmers, Adaptive Aquatics, and Stroke Mechanics for specialised swim and water safety teachers.
• New Zealand Certificate in Sport and Recreation (Programme Delivery) (Level 4) Level 4 qualification enabling programme delivery skills development for community recreation professionals.
• New Zealand Certificate in Sport and Recreation (Programme Management) (Level 5) Level 5 qualification for managing sport and recreation programmes, completing the industry training pathway alongside Level 4 Programme Delivery.
• New Zealand Certificate in Sport and Recreation (Community Development) (Level 5) Level 5 qualification for community recreation professionals working to bring active recreation to life in Kiwi communities.
• New Zealand Certificate in Entertainment, Event and Screen Production Technology (Level 4) Level 4 qualification (Ref: 3417) with strands in Entertainment Rigging, Lighting, Audio, Vision, Stage Management, Stage Mechanics, Scenic Construction, Screen Assistant Direction, Gripping, Screen Production Assistant, and Screen Special Effects.
• NZ Diploma in Entertainment and Event Technology (Level 6) Level 6 diploma (Ref: 3430) with strands in Entertainment Rigging, Lighting, Audio, Vision, Stage Management, Stage Mechanics, and Scenic Construction.
• New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) Level 4 qualification for exercise consultants and fitness professionals.
• Exercise Foundations (Level 3) programme Entry-level Level 3 exercise qualification programme for fitness professionals and trainers, including those in community fitness settings.
• New Zealand Certificate in Sport, Exercise, and Leisure Operations (Level 3) (SELO) Level 3 certificate providing baseline knowledge for sport, exercise and leisure operations roles, helping staff understand purpose and context of their work.
• New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Education Outside the Classroom) (Level 4) Level 4 outdoor leadership qualification for education outside the classroom settings, complementing early childhood qualifications with outdoor education skills.
• Outdoor Recreation Unit Standards (Levels 1-3) Unit standards for outdoor recreation covering alpine, caving, high ropes, kayaking, mountain biking, orienteering, outdoor equipment, rock climbing, tramping and yachting contexts with core areas on Kaitiakitanga, Mātauranga ki a waho, Whakatakatu ki a waho, and Whakatipu tangata.
• NZ Certificate in Performing Arts Teaching (Level 5) Level 5 qualification (Ref: 3421) for educators in dance, theatre and related arts.
• NZ Diploma in Performing Arts Teaching (Level 6) Level 6 diploma (Ref: 3435) for senior arts educators.
• Te Tohu Whakawaiora Aotearoa's first health-specific, nationally recognised cultural competency qualification, jointly developed with Skills Active.
• New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) (Level 2) Level 2 cultural learning pathway qualification helping learners develop tikanga understanding and communicate across different cultural contexts.
• New Zealand Apprenticeship in Aquatics: Specialist Swim Teacher (Level 4) Apprenticeship programme for specialised swim and water safety teachers, requiring completion of external swim teaching courses and assessments via online learning platform.
• Facility Operations Apprenticeship (Level 4) Level 4 apprenticeship in facility operations covering sport, exercise and recreation facility management and operations.
• Level 4 Introductory Snowschool Instruction (Cross-country ski strand) Level 4 cross-country ski instructor qualification, the first in New Zealand for this discipline, developed with Snow Farm.
• Level 5 Intermediate Snowschool Instruction Level 5 intermediate snowschool instruction qualification following the Level 4 introductory programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of target credit achievement for Māori and disabled ākonga groups, outperforming general population
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Te Mahi AkocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Te Mahi Ako is the subsidiary company of Skills Active Aotearoa Group, established as an independent tertiary education organisation. On 1 October 2022, Skills Active transitioned work-based learning services to Te Mahi Ako. The new organisation focuses on helping learners unlock their potential through flexible, tailored work-based learning.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Toi Mai Workforce Development Council: New Zealand workforce development council that absorbed Skills Active's standard-setting function for sport, recreation and performing arts under RoVE reform. Operates in the same sectors with overlapping mandate to set standards and develop qualifications.
• Competenz: One of New Zealand's largest Industry Training Organisations, providing workplace-based training and qualifications across multiple sectors. Most structurally similar peer in terms of ITO business model and government-funded vocational training delivery.
• Primary ITO: New Zealand ITO serving the primary industries (agriculture, horticulture, forestry). Operates the same ITO model — government-funded, work-based qualifications, industry-led governance — making it a direct structural peer.
• Skills Group NZ: New Zealand workplace training provider offering work-based learning programmes across multiple sectors. Comparable as a private training establishment delivering vocational qualifications through employer partnerships.
• ServiceIQ: New Zealand ITO providing training and qualifications for the hospitality, retail, travel, aviation and tourism sectors. Directly comparable as a sector-based ITO delivering work-based learning qualifications.
• Te Mahi Ako: Wholly-owned subsidiary of Skills Active Aotearoa Group, established as an independent tertiary education organisation providing the same work-based learning qualifications that Skills Active previously delivered.

Emerging players

• Vertical Horizonz: New Zealand workplace health, safety and first-aid training provider. Comparable as a domestic workplace-training competitor operating in overlapping outdoor and recreation sectors.

Broad incumbents

• ExerciseNZ: New Zealand's national industry association for the fitness and exercise sector. Comparable as it represents the same fitness employers that Skills Active trains, including many shared customers.
• Recreation Aotearoa: National industry association for the recreation sector in New Zealand. Comparable as it represents and supports employers across the same active recreation segment where Skills Active delivers qualifications.

Regional players

• Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA): New Zealand's national tourism industry body with close adjacency to the active recreation and entertainment sectors where Skills Active works. Comparable as an industry umbrella body shaping workforce development in tourism-adjacent sectors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SkillsActiveAotearoa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skills-active-aotearoa
• Xx.com/SkillsActiveNZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SkillsActiveAotearoa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Skills Active New Zealand