Bespoke Postgraduate Certificate in Public Management

Enhance your performance as a manager with advanced knowledge of the theory and strategies behind best-practice public management.

PGCertPM for regulatory practitioners

This programme is offered in association with the Government Regulatory Practice Initiative (G-REG). It builds on the regulatory practice qualifications currently being delivered by the vocational education provider Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.

Completing the courses in this programme will boost your personal and managerial competencies. You’ll develop the ambition, imagination, and courage to improve practice in your organisation.

Four courses

This version of the PGCertPM is made up of four courses:

All courses are delivered both in person at the University's Pipitea Campus and synchronously via Zoom.

Each course requires up to 150 hours of study.

Stepping stone

When you successfully complete the four courses, you’ll graduate with a PGCertPM—a valuable qualification in its own right. But this can also be a stepping stone towards a higher qualification, such as a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management (8 courses) or a Master of Public Management (12 courses).

When you can start

The PGCertPM programme can be completed between February and October 2024, with an induction and orientation in mid-February.

Courses at a glance

Regulatory Policy

This course (GOVT 536) examine contemporary issues in regulatory policy and practice, with emphasis on the roles of government and others in designing policies to secure enhanced economic, social, environmental, and cultural outcomes.

GOVT 536 meets in Trimester 2 2024.

Managing for Results

This course (GOVT 511) studies theory and practice in the strategic management of public resources to achieve desired government outcomes.

GOVT 511 meets in Trimester 1 2024.

Public Managers and the Policy Process

In this course (GOVT 502) you'll learn about policy-making systems and structures and how to pursue desired policy outcomes in the public sector by analysing policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

GOVT 502 meets in Trimester 1 2024.

Regulatory Practice in the 21st Century

This course (GOVT 553) explores key concepts and frameworks for successful regulatory practice in complex twenty-first century environments.

GOVT 553 meets in Trimester 2 2024.

Who can apply

The PGCertPM is designed for public officials who hold an advisory role or a service or regional management role and who are already in (or about to enter) a middle- or upper-management position.

Applicants are usually nominated by regulatory agencies in New Zealand’s public sector. They are typically identified as capable individuals with the potential to rise to upper regional and senior management levels.

To be accepted into this programme, you need to be nominated by your employer and you need to meet one of the following criteria:

  • Graduate entry—a Bachelor’s degree (NZQA Level 7) in any discipline from a New Zealand university (or an overseas equivalent qualification) (‘Graduate entry’)
  • Special entry—substantial experience in the New Zealand public sector (central or local government) or a sub-Bachelor’s or professional qualification.

Download the reference form and email it with your admission application to the Professional Programmes Office.

Academic staff for regulatory practitioners courses

 profile picture

Flavia Donadelli

Bill profile picture

AProf Bill Ryan

Adjunct Research Associate
School of Government

Senior Lecturer
School of Government


PGCertPM for Crown entity monitors

This programme is offered in association with Te Kawa Mataaho—Public Service Commission and MAGnet, the network of public officials that monitors and makes appointments to Crown entities in New Zealand.

Through this programme, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of public policy-making and Crown entity governance and monitoring practice. You’ll also expand your career options.

Four courses

This version of the PGCertPM is made up of four courses:

All courses are delivered both in person at the University's Pipitea Campus and synchronously via Zoom.

Each course requires up to 150 hours of study.

Stepping stone

When you successfully complete this programme, you’ll graduate with a PGCertPM. This qualification can also be a stepping stone to a more advanced qualification, such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management (8 courses) or the Master of Public Management (12 courses).

When you can start

The PGCertPM programme can be completed between February and October 2024, with an induction and orientation in mid-February.

Courses at a glance

Crown Entity Governance and Stewardship

This course (GOVT 551) examines good governance and stewardship for Crown entities in theory and practice. We look at the role of monitors in governance systems and their relationships with ministers and boards, considering the different forms and functions of Crown entities.

GOVT 551 meets in Trimester 2 2024.

Crown Entity Performance Monitoring

This course (GOVT 552) develops capabilities across a range of practices for monitoring Crown entity performance.

GOVT 552 meets in Trimester 2 2024.

Public Managers and the Policy Process

In this course (GOVT 502) you'll learn about policy-making systems and structures and how to pursue desired policy outcomes in the public sector by analysing policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

GOVT 502 meets in Trimester 1 2024.

Managing Public Resources

This course (GOVT 512) covers budget planning, expenditure and reporting, and financial management.

GOVT 512 meets in Trimester 1 2024.

Who can apply

This version of the PGCertPM is designed for public officials already in (or about to enter) a senior role in the public service, a Crown entity, or an organisation that monitors local government entities.

Students are nominated by their manager, who will be looking for promising applicants with the potential to rise to upper management.

To be accepted into this programme, you will need to be nominated by your employer. You’ll also need to meet the entry requirements.

There are two entry pathways: either graduate entry or special entry.

  • Graduate entry: You need a Bachelor’s degree (NZQA Level 7) in any discipline from a New Zealand university (or the overseas equivalent)
  • Special entry: If you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, you’ll need substantial experience in the New Zealand public sector (central or local government) or a sub-Bachelor’s or professional qualifications (‘Special Entry’).

Download the reference form and email it with your admission application to the Professional Programmes Office.

Academic staff for Crown entity monitors

Head of School
School of Government

Senior Lecturer
School of Government

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Ken Warren

Associate Professor (Teaching) · Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, Wellington School of Business and Government
School of Government


Get in touch

For more information or academic advice about the PGCertPM, contact the Academic Programme Leader, Associate Professor Amanda Wolf, or the Professional Programmes Recruitment Manager, Rosie Evans.

Rosie profile picture

Rosie Evans

Recruitment Manager, Professional Programmes
Wellington School of Business and Government

Associate Professor (Teaching) · Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, Wellington School of Business and Government
School of Government