Search
Showing 10 of 536 results for group registration
-
New Zealand experience grows global indigenous network
A special bond forged through a Study Abroad programme, involving Vermont’s Champlain College and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), was marked by the gifting of a unique pare whakairo (carved doorway mantel) to the US College in September.
Called Te Hononga (The Convergence), the pare whakairo was created by kaiwhakairo (Māori carver) Pahi O’Carroll over four weeks in residence on the Champlain campus.
The pare is unlike any other. It is carved from a wood native to the area – black walnut – and evokes values, beliefs and traditions common to both Māori and the indigenous people of Vermont, the Abenaki.
The relationship between Champlain and AUT dates back five years, when New Zealand Honorary Consul and trustee of Champlain College, Dr George Burrill, first established a study abroad exchange programme between the two institutions. To date, over 100 students have participated.
One of the highlights of American students’ time at AUT is the Noho Marae programme.
“Every year students tell us how the Noho Marae programme has profoundly impacted them,” ENZ General Manager – International, Lisa Futschek, says. “It turns them into lifelong advocates for New Zealand, its education system and Māori culture.”
Run by AUT Senior Lecturer in Māori and Indigenous Development, Jason King, the mini-course includes basic Te Reo Māori, Māori mythology, waiata (songs) and cultural customs. It includes with a noho marae (weekend-long marae experience).
King describes the course as “the base of a tree, from which branches and leaves grow”.
“The course puts indigenous goggles on students,” he says. “It opens them up to areas of discussion with their own indigenous people.
“My ultimate aim is to connect us not only globally, but indigenously.”
Thanks to their connection to Māori via AUT and the Noho Marae programme, Champlain College made a formal connection to their own indigenous people, the Abenaki tribe. A representative from the Abenaki was present at the unveiling of Te Hononga.
Many US students choose to keep in touch after they return home through the student-led Whānau Councils. These were first established in 2010 after students from Europe were so moved by their AUT marae experience that they set up their own group to maintain their connection to New Zealand and each other. There are now three Whānau Councils across Europe and the US actively supported by AUT.
For the European council’s 10-year anniversary, members of group are planning to return to New Zealand – this time with their partners and children.
“We tell them during the Noho Marae, after studying in New Zealand you are whānau for life,” King says.
-
ATEED launches new Auckland strategy to guide visitor economy
ATEED General Manager Destination, Steve Armitage, says while more visitors are good news economically, the growth comes with challenges.
“People travel to Auckland to experience the many things our region has to offer. For some, it’s the world-class food and wine; for others, it’s the sporting, cultural and business events; or international students, who come from around the world to study at our learning institutions,” said Steve.
“It’s important that we continue to attract visitors to support and create jobs and amenities that benefit locals and visitors…so that Auckland is better off not just economically, but also socially and environmentally.”
The strategy outlines six strategic imperatives and key focus areas, and a comprehensive list of actions to deliver these, with two directly relating to international education:
- A Captivating Place: A region that entices visitors to stay longer and that locals love more than ever. Actions include developing an international student visitor plan.
- A Skilled Place: A region where more young men and women are choosing globally relevant careers in the visitor economy. Actions include developing a visitor sector training and employment strategy for youth and enhancing standards across the service sector.
Destination AKL 2025 was guided by an industry leadership group, and involved extensive consultation including interviews, workshops and discussions, as well as international benchmarking and surveys.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson, who was part of the industry leadership group, says that ATEED is showing real leadership in the way it is looking at its visitor plan.
He said this is evident in the way the strategy is based around destination management and not just attraction. This should ensure visitors are acknowledged as an asset to the Auckland region – a perspective that will reflect positively on the experience visitors go on to have in Auckland.
“International students are an important part of the visitor community and we are delighted that the strategy reflects this through the inclusion of an international student visitor plan.”
"The strategy has involved significant cross-industry collaboration to get to this point, and the plan is to keep this going. We are very optimistic about the direction Auckland is heading in and are looking forward to working with Auckland to bring it to life.”
Click here to read or download Destination AKL 2025.
-
Japanese teachers visit New Zealand schools
Participating schools had previously indicated their interest in New Zealand through a survey put together by Air New Zealand and ENZ and also attended a seminar prior to embarking on the tour.
Japanese teachers were the focus for this familiarisation visit in recognition of the fact that they are among the key influencers, along with alumni and agents, for Japanese students and their families when considering international study locations. The word-of-mouth promotion of New Zealand as an education destination that comes from these visits is highly effective.
The four-day tour started off with a visit to Rotorua where we visited the agrodome at the Rotorua English Language Academy to see the famous farm show, followed by a wonderful Māori experience at Te Puia. On the second day, despite the heavy rain, we received a warm welcome at Tauranga Boys’ College and Girls’ College, visited Hobbiton and enjoyed the experience of a Kiwi farm stay in Cambridge. The third day saw us visit the Waitomo glow warm cave and Waikato University, where the boys’ rugby team were hosted in July this year as part of the Game on English programme. The final day was dedicated to Auckland, where we visited Northcote College and Language International.
Participants were impressed by the quality of programmes and facilities offered by New Zealand schools and universities. The Cambridge farm stay in was also very well received by the teachers who considered it a uniquely New Zealand experience. Through conversations with teachers and counsellors, the Japanese teachers were also reassured by the level of support offered to international students in New Zealand. The group also had the chance to speak to some Japanese students and saw how well they integrate with New Zealand students in the classroom. A reflection of New Zealand’s emphasis on diversity, I believe.
With the growing demand from the high school sector in Japan, we were pleased to showcase New Zealand’s high-quality of education, along with the Kiwi lifestyle and cultural experiences. Following the trip Yamate Gakuin Junior and Senior High School in Yokohama has made a decision to send a group of students to New Zealand starting August 2016. Takigawa Boys' Junior and Senior High School in Kobe will also start offering a 3 months programme in New Zealand from 2018.
I look forward to facilitating more relationships between New Zealand education providers and institutions and agents in Japan in the coming year.
I would like to sincerely thank all the institutions, local tourism offices and venues, and Air New Zealand for their support in making this programme a success.
Misa Pitt
-
New Zealand on the road in Viet Nam
The students were all treated to special presentations during the tour, with most walking away with an ENZ bag containing materials promoting New Zealand as an education destination.
The purpose of the Roadshow’s education aspect of the was to raise awareness of New Zealand and drive registrations for the upcoming New Zealand education fairs on 3 – 4 October.
This was very much an NZ Inc. initiative with ENZ, the New Zealand Embassy and Tourism New Zealand all working together to make the roadshow a reality.
A Māori cultural performing group from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute stole the show.
“Māori culture is a fascinating and unique part of New Zealand culture; it’s something that sets us apart from others,” said New Zealand Ambassador HE Haike Manning. “The visit by this performance group was a great opportunity to showcase Māori culture to Vietnamese students to raise their awareness and interest in our country,”
“We took the opportunity to showcase a number of other things we think make New Zealand special – our excellent education system, our beautiful landscapes, our cities, our food – all the things that make New Zealand such a wonderful tourism and study destination! We also showcased our positive and growing relationship with Viet Nam, so that Vietnamese students could gain an appreciation of the cooperation that has being going on between New Zealand and Viet Nam over the past 40 years.”
The Roadshow is the latest in a year-long series of events organised by the New Zealand Embassy as part of the ‘New Zealand – Open to the New’ season, celebrating 40 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam.
-
Wellington awards recognise inspiring students
This year’s awardees came from intermediate, secondary and tertiary levels, and included the founder of a bilingual tutoring programme for international students, the founder of the Asian English-Speaking Club at Victoria University of Wellington and the official pianist at the 44th International Viola Congress.
They were selected for a range of achievements from academic excellence, community engagement, to leadership and sport, with each winner receiving a trophy, certificate and tickets to a Wellington experience.
MP Paul Eagle, WREDA CEO Lance Walker and WREDA’s Talent, Skills and Education Manager, Brook Pannell, were on hand at the ceremony, alongside a group from Wainuiomata High School and Kuranui College who performed Kapa Haka for the guests.
Brook said he was thrilled to be on hand at the ceremony to acknowledge the achievements made by some of Wellington’s young talent.
“International students make a powerful impact in their communities, and these awards reflect the great contributions they make in Wellington.
“It’s a unique, modern and compact city where international students can feel at home, gain life skills in a safe city, and make friends.”
Chinese international student Benjamin Lin, 18, received a Leadership Award for his achievements. As the youngest ‘authorised’ writer in his home country, he’s published two books and opened a writing school to raise money to study at Wellington High School.
“Thanks to my father I loved reading and writing. My teacher at the time encouraged me to publish some of my poetry when I was around 10 in the form of a book. People really liked my work and it gave me the confidence to keep going,” says Benjamin.
In 2015, Benjamin decided to progress his education in Wellington, and settled on Wellington High School. He funded his international study by tutoring students in writing.
“I wanted to come to Wellington because it’s a smaller, modern city where I could improve my English.
“In Wellington, I’ve appreciated having more time with my teachers and working on my English,” says Benjamin.
Award winners:
Academic excellence
- Nam-Phuong Ho, Victoria University of Wellington (Viet Nam)
- Yukiko Kuboshima, Victoria University of Wellington (Japan)
- Khoi Nguyen, Te Aro School (Viet Nam)
- Zihan Wang, Wellington Girls’ College (China)
Alumni
- Zilong Li, WelTec (China)
Community engagement
- Hanna Aulia, Victoria University of Wellington (Indonesia)
- Ashley Cao, Victoria University of Wellington (Viet Nam)
Creativity
- Gabriela Glapska, New Zealand School of Music (Poland)
Leadership
- Benjamin Yin, Wellington High School (China)
- Simran Bechan, Samuel Marsden Collegiate (Fiji)
- Nur Natasha Faziera Mohd Fadzil, Victoria University of Wellington (Malaysia)
Sports
- Mohammad Zahirul Amin Mohd Azam, Victoria University of Wellington (Malaysia)
Internationalisation
- Samuel Mathew, Wellington College (New Zealand)
- Jordan Anderson, Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)
Internationalisation Employer Award
- InterContinental Hotel Group
Click here for full details of the winners.
The awards were developed as part of WREDA’s Wellington International Student Growth Programme (WISGP), which aims to double the number of international students arriving in Wellington by 2025, enhance the student experience and build pathways to employment in Wellington.
-
Two new sector-facing leadership roles at ENZ
GM Sector Engagement
We look forward to welcoming Wendy Kerr to Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) on 3 October 2022. Ms Kerr will take up the newly-created role of General Manager, Sector Engagement. Joining us from fintech Valocity where she was Global Chief Operations Officer, Ms Kerr has rich experience in both education and commercial businesses globally.
Prior to Valocity, she was Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland. She led the team there to transform the Centre and enabled the University to be recognised as Entrepreneurial University of the Year in the Asia-Pacific.
Ms Kerr is also Board Director for The Icehouse and sits on the Board of Epsom Girls Grammar. Previous roles include General Manager for Pearson PLC London, and Asia-Pacific Marketing Manager for Apple. She has been a TEDx speaker and has published a number one bestseller on Amazon - ‘Corporate Crossovers’. Ms Kerr has a Ngāti Mutunga and Moriori heritage and will be based in our Auckland office.
The Sector Engagement group delivers strategic initiatives in partnership with sector partners and stakeholders, undertakes business development, and designs and delivers new products and services.
GM Sector Services
Sahinde Pala was recently appointed to the newly-created role of General Manager, Sector Services.Ms Pala joined ENZ in 2016 after 18 years working for a multinational group of English language schools. With a career dedicated to international education, she brought extensive private sector experience in international marketing, stakeholder engagement and student experience delivery to the organisation.
Ms Pala has held a number of roles at ENZ working with education providers, government stakeholders, regional groups, peak bodies, students’ associations and community groups. She was heavily involved in developing the International Student Wellbeing Strategy.
With a passion for delivering an excellent customer experience, Ms Pala will be leading the newly formed Sector Services team to deliver a suite of products and services that support the sector to rebuild and thrive. This includes student experience, global citizenship, global events, and agent engagement, as well as scholarships to support domestic students to have an international education experience, and international students to study in New Zealand.
Sahinde is based in our Auckland office and spends her time outside of work standing on the sidelines of sports fields supporting her young boys.
View all senior leadership team members here.
-
Regional partners’ workshop goes to Hawke’s Bay
The workshop is an initiative of ENZ’s Regional Partnership Programme (RPP), and drew a group of more than 20 regional coordinators from across the country. The RPP is a part of a strategic focus by ENZ to grow the value of international education across the whole of New Zealand as part of the effort to grow the industry’s value to $5 billion by 2025.
“The aim of the workshop was for participants to share experiences and receive professional development to increase their effectiveness in working with education providers in their regions,” said Greg Scott, ENZ’s Regional Partnership Programme Manager.
Topics included:
-
Product development
-
Inbound familiarisation planning
-
The upcoming regional digital resource
-
Increasing awareness of the value of international education in regional communities.
Participants enjoyed a range of presentations including lively show-and-tell sessions from Education Wellington and Education Hawke’s Bay, as well as an update from Karen Chalmers, NZQA’s Director International and Policy.
The day before the workshop, a smaller group of new regional coordinators came together at an ENZ-facilitated orientation session. They learned more about the RPP, contributed to an interactive business plan workshop, and heard some first-hand insights from Education Taranaki’s Rachael Berndt.
Greg said feedback about both days was extremely positive.
“We've seen a good number of regions join the RPP over the last 12 months, and there is a significant increase in regional growth initiatives as a result of the formation and implementation of their strategies.”
-
-
Student Ambassadors build global citizenship skills
Since it was set up in 2021, the programme has involved around 85 secondary and 50 tertiary students in six participating regions – Northland, Auckland, Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui and Wellington. Northland acted as national coordinator.
“International students can sometimes find it difficult to connect with locals, make friends or venture outside their campus,” says Sahinde Pala, GM Sector Services at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ).
“Language and cultural barriers, hesitation to meet new people, lack of knowledge of opportunities off campus, or budget constraints – many factors can play a part. The emergence of Covid-19 and lockdowns made it even more important to address these challenges, and so we worked with a range of people, including regional partners and Welcoming Communities, to develop the student ambassador programme.”
The programme has developed differently in each region, but with the same shared goals. Another common factor has been the training provided for student ambassadors – the opportunity to complete a New Zealand Global Competence certificate, training in social media, and specially tailored training provided by ISANA NZ.
“Student ambassadors are bridgebuilders and leaders, who create opportunities for students from different cultures to form relationships and learn about each other,” Ms Pala says.
“The ambassadors themselves also gain from the programme, by developing their understanding of cultural differences and learning new skills and strategies that are valued by employers. And regional communities benefit when international students feel valued and connected – they are more likely to remain in the area or recommend it to others.”
The ISANA NZ Student Ambassador Training explores intercultural concepts in an interactive and engaging format that can be run online or in-person. Participants are then able to apply their learning to develop activities and events that help students to connect with the wider community. Debrief sessions towards the close of a programme cycle support students to reflect on what they have learned from being a student ambassador.
“I enjoyed learning about how communication works between different cultures, going over cultural values and how some are visible and invisible and learning top tips to help me improve as an ambassador” – student feedback.
“Our Northland student ambassadors joined the ISANA workshop as a group of excited students interested in global citizenship and finished as a tight knit group of inter-cultural leaders in the school community. They learnt to work together, giving everyone a chance to contribute and respecting each other’s perspectives. The communication and planning skills honed in the workshop, enabled them to run a large-scale ‘Matariki Kai Festival’ event, introducing a range of food from cultures across the school to the students.” – Jo Lees, National Ambassador Coordinator and Project Manager at Study Northland.
Other activities sparked by the programme in different parts of New Zealand have included a Kiwi Cooking Class, an Auckland Weekly video series, international languages week events and Matariki events organised and run by the ambassadors, diplomatic events attended by ambassadors from other countries and an International Students Issues Panel Discussion.
One of the student ambassadors was recently profiled by ENZ: Michael Ren – Award-winning app designer eyes a future in tech | Education New Zealand (enz.govt.nz)
Several regions have indicated they hope to continue their student ambassador programme beyond 2022: Northland, Tauranga and Hawke’s Bay.
“This student ambassador training is much needed, not only for the international education sector but also across wider communities in New Zealand. In fact, I think everyone could benefit from this training if they have not received similar training before in intercultural communications and leadership,” says Wenhua Yang, Regional Manager at Learning Hawkes Bay.
To learn more about the ISANA NZ Student Ambassador Training, please contact: caroline.stevenson@isana.nz
-
The International Education Strategy – one year on
Goal one: Delivering an excellent education and student experience
Progress on goal one includes:
- Launching NauMai NZ. ENZ has launched NauMai NZ, an online platform providing accurate, relevant information to help international students before they arrive and while they’re studying in New Zealand.
- Reviewing migrant exploitation. MBIE is leading a cross-agency review of the exploitation of temporary migrant workers and international students.
- Supporting wellbeing initiatives. MoE administers an annual funding round for international student wellbeing initiatives. Initiatives that have been funded have had very positive outcomes for students.
- Strengthening English language requirements. NZQA has strengthened English language proficiency requirements for international students.
- Relaunching ENZRA. The ENZ Recognised Agency programme was relaunched in November 2018.
- Introducing new protections. MoE has introduced amendments to the Code of Practice including new contract and disciplinary protections, clearer requirements for residential caregiver safety checks, and more detailed requirements for monitoring education agents.
Goal two: Achieving sustainable growth
Progress on goal two includes:
- Forming an innovation-focused group. A new pan-sector working group will inform the development of new education products that support the Strategy’s goals.
- Refresh of the Think New brand. ENZ has refreshed our Think New brand strategy, including creating the identity ‘I am New’.
Goal three: Developing global citizens
Progress on goal three includes:
- Developing an outbound mobility strategy. MoE has begun work on a new outbound mobility strategy. Objectives include increasing participation in exchange programmes by groups that have been historically underrepresented, including Māori and Pasifika students and students in lower decile schools.
- Focusing on international graduate employability. A new ENZ report, Employer Perceptions of Hiring International Graduates, found New Zealand SME employers value the keen attitude and positive contribution made by New Zealand-educated international graduates.
-
Japanese education agents experience New Zealand’s school education offering firsthand
Delivered in partnership between Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, Auckland Educated, Christchurch Educated and SIEBA, the visit highlights the value of a joined-up, sector-wide approach to offshore recruitment.
Building connections through collaboration
The programme builds on a 2025 initiative where 16 Auckland schools travelled to Japan to develop relationships with education agents and schools. Inviting those agents to New Zealand enabled them to experience local schools, teaching environments and student life firsthand.
The agents visited 12 secondary schools and one primary school in Auckland over five days, meeting international directors, exploring campus environments, and experiencing local attractions.
Several agents said the visit reshaped their perceptions of Auckland, with firsthand experience of its expansive school campuses and green spaces highlighting a learning environment that supports both academics and outdoor activity.
In addition to visiting Auckland Grammar, Botany Downs Secondary College, Gulf Harbour School, Massey High School, Mount Albert Grammar, Mount Roskill Grammar, One Tree Hill College, Rosehill College, Sacred Heart College, St Mary’s College, St Peter’s College, Waitākere College and Waiuku College, the group of agents also had the opportunity to enjoy New Zealand’s unique lifestyle and hospitality, with local beaches, tourist sites and hospitality sector across Auckland over five days.
Extending reach beyond major centres
The group then travelled to Christchurch to attend the SIEBA Hui Agent Forum, providing exposure to over 100 schools and a broader view of education opportunities across regions.
Christchurch Educated also facilitated connections with local schools (Burnside High School, Cashmere High School, Craighead Diocesan School, Middleton Grange School, and Rolleston College) and hosted a briefing session with international directors, further strengthening sector relationships.
They also valued the opportunity to engage with a wider range of regions, deepening their understanding of education options beyond major cities.
Supporting future growth
ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager, Japan, Takako Tominaga, said an additional positive development was Air New Zealand’s recent announcement of direct flights between Narita and Christchurch that will begin in November.
“This is a great development that will further strengthen future promotion opportunities for Christchurch and the South Island in the Japanese market,” Takako said.
