Arahanga Associates Ltd
Tertiary Education Project Specialists
Building the Pathways to Excellence
Arahanga Associates are specialists in tertiary education projects — helping organisations achieve excellence through practical, professional, and sustainable solutions.
We provide:
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A solution-focused approach to every project
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Flexibility without long-term resourcing commitments
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Fast, cost-effective, and affordable outcomes
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A confidential, impartial, and professional service
Services - What we do
Professional tertiary education consulting services that help institutions achieve compliance, improve quality systems, and drive student success.
Compliance & Quality
Take the headache out of compliance requirements and establish robust quality management systems. Simplify and meet compiance requirements.
Programme Development
Develop new programmes, complete accreditation applications, and align curriculum pathways.
Review & Evaluation
Independent review and evaluation of programmes, departments, and institutional systems.
Comprehensive solutions for tertiary education providers.
Research
Undertake feasibility studies, research, and special projects.
Strategic Partnerships
Facilitate and manage collaborative partnerships within the education sector.
Learner success
Improve akonga retention and success outcomes through evidence-based strategies.
Our
Approach
Why the name Arahanga Associates?
Our name comes from our kaupapa or mission:
Te Arahanga ki Paerangi - Building the Pathways to Excellence.
We bring:
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A wealth of tertiary education experience across the team
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Extensive networks throughout the sector
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A proven track record in both public and private education organisations
We believe that excellence is achieved by connecting the right people, systems, and organisations through positive, collaborative, and mutually beneficial partnerships.
OUR CLIENTS
Arahanga Associates has worked with a wide range of education, training and development organisations, including:
Meet the Team
At Arahanga Associates, our strength lies in the expertise and integrity of our people. Our team brings together decades of experience across tertiary education, quality assurance, programme development, and organisational capability building. We pride ourselves on delivering practical, evidence-based solutions with professionalism, insight, and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes across the education and training sector.
Director
Tracey Harkness
Tracey has worked within the tertiary education and workplace training sectors for over 20 years in a range of teaching, consulting, and leadership roles in New Zealand and the Middle East.
She holds a Commerce degree from Victoria University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Waikato, and an MBA from Deakin University. Tracey also holds several qualifications in adult learning and assessment.
Her areas of expertise include business education, workshop facilitation, programme development, moderation, education resource design, and project management. She brings deep knowledge of the NZ education sector and extensive experience as a Team Evaluator with NZQA, participating in EERs for PTEs and ISBs.
She is solutions-focused.
Lead Consultant
Alice Jones
Alice’s passion for education and the environment began with a Master of Science (Hons) from Auckland University, majoring in ecological restoration and zoological physiology.
Her career spans senior academic and management
roles in institutes of technology. She has coordinated student research, led ecological projects, and taught Business English in Japan and New Zealand.
At Arahanga, Alice specialises in research, instructional design, and educational resource development. She also brings expertise in NZQA and TEC registration processes, guiding organisations to develop capability and complete application projects efficiently.
Consultant
Debbie Martindale
Debbie brings over 20 years of experience in executive, senior, and start-up leadership roles across New Zealand’s tertiary and vocational education sector. She has worked with a wide range of organisations, including Polytechnics, Institutes of Technology, Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), Work-based Learning entities (WBLs), Workforce Development Councils (WDCs), and both government-funded and private training providers.
Debbie is passionate about helping education organisations grow in ways that highlight their unique strengths, ensuring both innovation and long-term sustainability. Alongside her work with Arahanga Associates, she operates her own consultancy, Fountain Consulting.