ANTECH

Since 1996 ANTECH has been the Standards Implementation Body for the Animal Care and Handling Industry as recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

The National Qualifications Framework under NZQA provides for nationally recognised and transportable qualifications, that students can build on step by step through workplace and competency based assessment and provider accreditation.

By setting standards for the animal care and handling industry, NZVA (with the NZVNA and NZQA) saw opportunity to enhance animal health and welfare in New Zealand.

The Animal Nursing and Technology Board (ANTECH) was set up in the 1970s by NZVA in conjunction with the Animal Science Technology Association, to provide national standards for technical training for persons working with animals. Training was provided by various Polytechnics and Technical Institutes to equip students to become veterinary nurses, laboratory animal technicians and zookeepers. National examiners and appropriate certification for those persons successfully completing the requirements were provided by ANTECH.