Scope set for independent NZICPA review

Published on 05 May 2026

Whanganui District Council has today adopted the Terms of Reference for an independent review into its investment in the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA).

The terms of reference outline what the review will cover and its focus.

Mayor Andrew Tripe says the priority is to give the community clear answers, learn from the past eleven years, and strengthen rigour in future investment decisions and governance.

“This review is about giving our community confidence that we’re taking this seriously, so we have an in-depth understanding of the situation and can apply those lessons to future decision-making,” Mayor Andrew says.

The independent review will examine the key decisions that shaped the council’s involvement in NZICPA, including the information and advice provided to decision-makers, and the governance and oversight in place at the time.

It will focus on key decision points where the council’s financial exposure increased, the governance pathways involved, and the quality of information available to elected members and council staff.  

Mayor Andrew says the scope has been carefully designed to ensure the review is both thorough and practical.

“We’ve been clear that this needs to deliver real value for the community – not just as a retrospective, but as something that gives us clear, practical lessons for the future.”

The review will cover NZICPA’s full lifecycle, from its establishment in 2015 through to recent decisions, and will consider the external factors that influenced its operation including the impact of COVID-19 on international student enrolments.

An independent reviewer will be appointed following a procurement process, which will come back to the council for approval. The review is expected to take around six to eight weeks once underway.

The findings will be made publicly available. More information can be found here: https://www.whanganui.govt.nz/nzicpa

ENDS