Who we are
The New Zealand Association for Training and Development (NZATD) is the professional association for workplace learning and performance / training / learning and development specialists in New Zealand.
How we deliver
From formal courses to webinars, structured conferences to discussion forums – as well as publications, mentoring and a plethora of online resources – our members draw upon the very best in training and development information. Making them the very best they can be, now and into the future.
Our aim
- Foster the development of professional competence and high standards of performance in training and development.
- Promote understanding of training and development and its contribution to the performance of individuals and organisations.

Our values
Our strength lies in the collective knowledge, skills and experience residing in L&D specialists across NZ.
We work to continually build our own skills, and support, the development of others.
We share knowledge to grow ourselves, our organisations and communities.
We foster best practice through the provision of competency standards and information on learning and development practices.
Our history
Early 1980’s |
NZATD was formed with members from commercial, public and education sectors. Six groups established themselves under the NZATD umbrella – Auckland, Central North Island, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington and Canterbury. Each group maintained a separate constitution and affiliated to the national body. These groups acted independently sharing only the Code of Professional Practice and a biennial conference. The organisation provides a newsletter called Flipchart. |
1985 |
The NZATD Education Trust was formed. |
1988 |
It became clear that in order to achieve its goals, a national organisation under one constitution was needed. Work commenced on creating a national organisation. |
1989 |
A new national (incorporated) organisation was launched and celebrated at the NZATD conference in Rotorua. The organisation branches included Christchurch, Wellington, Waikato/Bay of Plenty and Auckland. |
1993 |
The national newsletter Flipchart was replaced with the journal People and Performance in 1993. |
1998 |
The first Professional Membership was granted. The aim of professional membership is to recognise the skills, knowledge, abilities and professionalism of members The mentoring program was introduced. |
2011 |
People and Performance remained the official NZATD Journal until the end of 2011. |
2012 |
NZATD joined forces with the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) to make AITD’s Training & Development a joint trans-Tasman publication. Training & Development has now replaced People and Performance as the official NZATD journal. |
2017 |
The NZATD Competency Framework was released. |
2020 |
The current branches were renamed to include regional areas. The branches became Upper North Island, Lower North Island and South Island. Waikato/Bay of Plenty branch merged into the Upper North Island branch. |
2022 |
An updated mentoring program was released in conjunction with AITD. An updated Professional Membership program was released including incorporating the Competency Framework. |
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