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• New student forum for NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme

  Education New Zealand’s NauMai NZ platform is designed to inform, support and empower international students.

  A WeChat mini programme – an app designed for the WeChat ecosystem popular with Chinese students – has extended NauMai NZ’s reach, attracting over 12,000 users in its first year.

  The NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme helps students make the most of their New Zealand experience, with advice on everything from finding a part-time job and knowing their rental rights to looking after their wellbeing and understanding Kiwi English. There are also stories from students about their lives – for instance, people sharing ideas on what to do during their summer in New Zealand.

  “We know that Chinese students prefer to connect with each other in their language, on the WeChat channel they trust,” says Faymie Li, Senior Advisor for Student Experience at ENZ.

  “We’re delighted to see how much they enjoy this digital platform and how quickly it’s growing. It’s great to be able to connect Chinese students to each other and to people who’re willing to help them out.”

  The WeChat mini programme has now run six livestreams hosted by experts, alumni and current international students on topics including employability, how to grow your network, and mental health and wellbeing. Students tuning in to watch can use the chat feature to ask questions.

  The livestreams have attracted a total of nearly 3,000 live views with over 18,000 engagements during the live events and, so far, more than 1,000 views afterwards.

  The WeChat mini programme has now added a new forum so that Chinese students and alumni can better share their life and study experiences and support one another. The text-based, moderated forum allows students to have their questions answered by their peers.

  A group of international students have signed on as ambassadors for the WeChat forum, including alumni from the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia programme. One of the forum ambassadors, Mengdi Zhang, says she’s looking forward to connecting with newer students.

  “I am excited to be a student ambassador so that any students with unresolved questions can reach out. I can see my own past in the students’ questions, and I hope to help them through to a better experience in New Zealand,” she said.

  If you would like to know more about the NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme, contact faymie.li@enz.govt.nz. You can share it with others using the WeChat QR code.

• Updated timeframe for the re-opening of New Zealand's borders

  Note: The information in this story was correct at the time of publication, however, some steps in New Zealand's border reopening plan have now been brought forward. Click here to check the current border reopening steps.

  “To slow the rapid spread we have seen overseas, we are pushing out the start of non-MIQ travel until the end of February 2022”, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. 

  You can read the full announcement from the Government here.

  The Government has not yet announced the date from which any specific group of foreign nationals, such as international students, will be able to travel to New Zealand or apply for visas to do so.

  Until then, New Zealand’s current border settings will remain in place. Most people outside New Zealand cannot apply for a visa unless they have a border exception. There are limited border exceptions for international students.

  New Zealand suspended most offshore visa applications from August 2020 and that suspension currently extends to August 2022. The Government may decide to lift the suspension, in whole or in part, before August 2022 – in line with its decisions on the stages of the border re-opening.

  It is Education New Zealand’s view that it is better for international students, education providers and agents to wait for certainty on border entry conditions before making new plans or commitments to students.

  At this stage, in most cases, if international students who are now in New Zealand leave, they will not be able to return to the country for the start of the 2022 academic year. They will need to wait to apply for visas and to travel to New Zealand until the dates the Government sets for them to do so.

  At Education New Zealand we understand how much international students and education providers have been through during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We will keep students and providers up to date with the Government’s decisions as they are announced.

  We are looking forward to welcoming international students back to New Zealand.

  More information

  Find out more about visas from Immigration New Zealand if: 

  • You want to enter New Zealand
  • You want to study in New Zealand
  • You are a student visa holder already in New Zealand.

  Find out more about New Zealand’s response to COVID-19:

  • Official government Covid-19 website
  • International travel and transit
  • Information for international students on NauMai NZ

   

• ENZ unleashes the potential of Prime Minister’s Scholarships alumni

  The first-ever event for alumni of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America was hosted by Education New Zealand in November 2021.

  The scholarships, administered by ENZ, enable New Zealanders to study, research or intern in Asia or Latin America. Since 2013, more than 2,400 group and individual scholarships have been awarded.

  The virtual event – Hono Mai: a call to connect – drew together alumni from all walks of life, based in New Zealand and around the world.

  They heard guest speakers from the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the Latin America New Zealand Business Council, held speed networking sessions in small groups on the EventsAir platform, and joined in challenges and trivia questions.

  ENZ’s Global Citizens Manager, Carla Rey Vasquez, says the event was designed and driven by alumni, for alumni.

  “Our global citizenship work aims to equip New Zealanders with the competencies to engage with the wider world, build connections with people from other countries and cultures, and take action on the things that matter to them.

  “Alumni have so many rich, diverse relationships around the world which can be used to support and uplift each other. Hono Mai is about sharing those relationships to help alumni achieve their own goals within their own communities,” she says.

  One of the alumni involved in organising the event was Robyn Scrimshaw, who studied Chinese law and language in Shanghai with a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia in 2014.

  “Everyone had such a great experience on the trip; the event was about bringing that magic together and connecting everyone’s experiences in one place,” she says.

  Now working as an urban planner in Tauranga, Robyn still draws on her experience of “different perceptions of public and private spaces” in the Chinese cities she visited. 

  Plans are underway for more networking events for Prime Minister’s Scholarships alumni in 2022.

• Patrick Au: a champion for international students

  Patrick is a registered psychiatric nurse and counsellor who migrated from Hong Kong in 1991.

  He has been working with Asian migrants and international students in primary and tertiary healthcare for more than 20 years – most recently as the Asian Mental Health Coordinator for the Auckland District Health Board. He is now moving into full-time private practice.

  ENZ’s Director of Student Experience and Global Citizens, Sahinde Pala, says Mr Au’s mahi (work) has been of incredible value to international students.

  “Patrick has worked tirelessly to highlight issues and barriers for international students in the mental health system and has been a trusted advisor as initiatives and policies have developed over the years.

  “He has been a respected member of the Auckland Agencies Group chaired by ENZ, which works on student wellbeing, and a key figure during the development of the International Student Wellbeing Strategy.

  “At ENZ we have also been privileged to be able to call on Patrick’s services as we develop new content for our NauMai NZ platform for international students in New Zealand.

  “We are sad to see him move on from the ADHB but grateful that he’s remaining in mental health support.

  “We would like to thank Patrick for his enormous contribution to the international student community over the years and wish him all the best for his next chapter,” says Ms Pala.

  He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata
  Kindness to all people is a great treasure

   

• Mayoral events provide vibrant welcomes to students in their regions

  Last month we shared some of the wonderful images that New Zealand schools, universities, PTEs, Te Pūkenga and English Language Schools shared with ENZ as they welcomed their new students for 2024. This month we are sharing details and images from the Mayoral welcomes that some of our regions have held for their visiting international students. 

  Thank you for adding to our diversity and vibrancy! 

  More than 40 international students were greeted by Whanganui District Council Mayor, Andrew Tripe, at a special Mayoral welcome to the community on Monday 8 April. 

  Speaking to the students from countries including Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Germany, China, India Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam, the Mayor thanked them for choosing Whanganui and adding to the “diversity and vibrancy of our community”. 

  The students attending had enrolled in both secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the district such as Whanganui High School, UCOL Whanganui and the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy. 

  Formal greeting over, the Mayor was rushed by students seeking a special ‘selfie moment’ to share with families and social media. 

  

  A group of Brazilian international students attending Whanganui High School take up the opportunity of a photo with the Whanganui District Council Mayor, Andrew Tripe.

  Similar levels of excitement were seen in Hamilton where the Mayor of Hamilton, Paula Southgate and local performance groups welcomed approximately 250 new international students to the Waikato region. The welcome event was held at the Pā, University of Waikato and is the first welcome since the Covid-19 pandemic put these events on hold.  

  

  Mayor Paula Southgate providing the official welcome to the Waikato’s approximately 250 international students.

  Faymie Li, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao’s Senior Advisor Student Experience said, “I was deeply honoured to witness this significant event and see how we demonstrate manaakitanga to our international students.  

  “The diverse cultures we embrace in Aotearoa is truly something to cherish and celebrate. It was wonderful to see so many school students attending the ceremony, offering them a unique student experience they don't typically encounter.” 

  Jiabao Zhao (Boa), a former international student who completed a Bachelor of Management Studies with First Class Honours at the University of Waikato, shared a message of encouragement with the students. Boa’s advice for new students was: to study hard but also “talk to and meet students from outside your country. It’s easy to remain in your comfort zone but that is not the point of studying abroad. Network and build your presence”. 

  

  Former University of Waikato International Student sharing a message of encouragement to the new international students.

  She also reminded students to take care of both their physical and mental health. There will be challenges but also great opportunities, and her own study and career journey is testament to that. She now works as an International Sales Operation Executive at Prolife Foods Ltd in Hamilton. 

  

  A handful of the 250 students who travelled to the Pā at the University of Waikato, for the international student welcome.

  Also in March, nearly 100 international students received a fine welcome centered on the theme of connection, by Timaru District Mayor, Nigel Bowen. The Timaru District will be home to students from Japan, China, Germany, Thailand, South Korean, Hong Kong, Macau, Fiji, Philippines, Brazil and Poland, and more over the course of this year. You can read about this welcome in the Stuff article here - Nearly 100 international students welcomed to Timaru | Stuff.  

• Viet Nam webinar series boosts interest in New Zealand ITPs and PTEs

  The webinar series is part of a work programme to raise the profile of New Zealand’s subsectors in Viet Nam, while strengthening connections between New Zealand providers and Vietnamese education agents. 

  This initiative is key to ENZ’s ongoing efforts to diversify New Zealand’s international education offerings in Viet Nam, and ensuring prospective students are aware of the practical skills, industry connections, and post-study opportunities they can gain through New Zealand ITPs and PTEs. 

  The series featured three education agent-focused webinars, and one session for prospective students and their parents co-organised by ENZ and seven local education agencies. 

  The agent-focused webinars attracted an average of over 120 attendees per session, peaking at 131, demonstrating strong interest from Viet Nam’s agent network.  

  The student-facing webinar drew around 200 registrations and had 70 prospective students attend. 

  Participating New Zealand providers included Wintec, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Eastern Institute of Technology, Toi Ohomai, Southern Institute of Technology, WelTec & Whitireia, New Zealand Skills and Education Group, Pacific International Hotel Management School, Le Cordon Bleu, and Up Education (NZTC, NZMA, Yoobee).  

  This wide sector presence ensured agents and prospective students received timely sector updates and insights first hand.  

  Immigration New Zealand contributed to the first agent-only session with updated details on in-study and post-study work rights for international students in vocational and degree programmes at ITPs and PTEs. They also shared policy updates, guidance, best practice on pathway visas, and practical tips to help agents prepare and submit strong visa applications for ITP/PTE students. 

  ENZ Market Manager Van Banh said the feedback was positive.  

  “New Zealand providers said they really valued the opportunity to connect with the Vietnamese market through these webinars, noting that the format allowed them to share tailored information and highlight the strengths of their programmes,” she said.  

  “Vietnamese agents also gave positive feedback, and said the sessions equipped them with practical knowledge about New Zealand’s study options with ITPs and PTEs, so they can be even more confident and effective in their conversations with prospective students,” Van added. 

   

   

• Upcoming offshore events related to international education – April 2022

   

  Dates	Event	Location
  8 - 11 May	International Conference & Exhibition for Education (ICEE)  Organised by the Saudi Ministry of Education, the conference has this year opened to wider participation. ENZ will host a pavilion with New Zealand universities, English language schools, and EdTech companies.    Contact: Bronwyn Shanks	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  16 – 18 May	IECA Spring Conference  The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is a not-for-profit, international professional association representing experienced independent educational consultants. ENZ plans to attend to develop networks of IECs.  Contact: Lewis Gibson	North America
  22 May	Study with New Zealand Virtual Fair  A co-funded virtual exhibition between ENZ and one of our ENZRAs in Viet Nam, IDP. The online session will promote New Zealand as a high-quality study destination and offers an opportunity for New Zealand institutions to communicate directly with potential students and parents.  Contact: Van Banh	Viet Nam
  29 May, 4, 5 June	Code Camps – Future Proof Interactive series  A series of five code camps for Vietnamese school students, in a collaboration between ENZ and Code Avengers.  The aim is to promote New Zealand’s future-proof education.  Contact: Van Banh	Viet Nam
  31 May – 3 June	NAFSA: Association of International Educators annual conference 2022 This is the largest international education conference in the world, and this year’s theme is 'Building Our Sustainable Future'.  Contact: Lewis Gibson	Denver, Colorado, USA
  13-16 September	European Association for International Education (EAIE) EAIE is the largest business-to-business conference and international education event in Europe. This year’s theme is ‘The Future in Full Colour’. ENZ will host a pavilion with New Zealand universities and ITPs and run a networking event to engage with existing and new contacts face-to-face.  Contact: Olga Elli	Barcelona, Spain
  14 – 15 September	Asia Pacific Technical Vocational Education and Training (APAC TVET) Forum  A partnership between ENZ, Te Pūkenga and Skills Consulting Group showcasing NZ vocational sector and its expertise. The forum will include academic and business-to-business/government-to-government elements, bringing together stakeholders across Asia and the Pacific to share expertise and capability.  Contact: Richard Kyle	Online –Asia and Pacific wide
  21 – 29 October	China Education Expo (CEE)  Annual exhibition tour hosted by China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) since 2000.  This major conference and expo is the leading international education event in China.  Contact: Jane Liu	Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai

• Upcoming events related to international education – E-News May 2022 

   

  Dates	Event	Location
  25 May - 1 July	Digital Student Cultural Exchange  NZ-Korea Digital Student Exchange Programme brings schools, communities and cultures together online. This is a co-funded programme along with government agencies in Seoul and Gangwon.  You can read more in this article from the Education Gazette: Digital exchanges a gift of culture sharing, global awareness – Education Gazette  Contact: Kyungah Lee	Korea
  29 May, 4, 5 June	Code Camps – Future Proof Interactive series  A series of five code camps for Vietnamese school students, in a collaboration between ENZ and Code Avengers.  The aim is to promote New Zealand’s future-proof education.  Contact: Van Banh	Viet Nam
  31 May – 3 June	NAFSA: Association of International Educators annual conference 2022.   This is the largest international education conference in the world, and this year’s theme is 'Building Our Sustainable Future'.  Contact: Lewis Gibson	Denver, Colorado, USA
  14-15 June	Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) Conference  Conference for college admissions consultants.  Contact: DuBois Jennings	Denver, Colorado, USA
  15-17 June	ICEF Conference  Annual conference for education providers from Australia and New Zealand to meet with student recruitment agents from around the world.  Contact: Agent.help@enz.govt.nz	Adelaide, Australia/ online
  2,3 July	Duc Anh A&T: Global Education Fair  Information for prospective students  Contact: Van Banh	Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, Viet Nam/online
  7,9,10 July	IDP Overseas Study Exhibition  Information for prospective students  Contact: Van Banh	Da Nang, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  10-11 August	EduTECH expo and Conference  Contact: Alana Pellow	Melbourne, Australia
  15-19 August	New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC) 2022  The first conference for New Zealand’s international education sector since 2019  Contact: NZIEC@enz.govt.nz	Online
  13-16 September	European Association for International Education (EAIE)  EAIE is the largest business-to-business conference and international education event in Europe. This year’s theme is ‘The Future in Full Colour’. ENZ will host a pavilion with New Zealand universities and ITPs and run a networking event to engage with existing and new contacts face-to-face.  Contact: Olga Elli	Barcelona, Spain
  14 – 15 September	Asia Pacific Technical Vocational Education and Training (APAC TVET) Forum  A partnership between ENZ, Te Pūkenga and Skills Consulting Group showcasing NZ vocational sector and its expertise. The forum will include academic and business-to-business/government-to-government elements, bringing together stakeholders across Asia and the Pacific to share expertise and capability.  Contact: Richard Kyle	Online –Asia and Pacific wide
  23 September	2022 New Zealand – China Early Childhood Education Symposium   Contact: Rosemary An
  21 – 29 October	China Education Expo (CEE)  Annual exhibition tour hosted by China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) since 2000. This major conference and expo is the leading international education event in China. Contact: Jane Liu	Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai

• New brand identity of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme launching next week

  Education providers and suppliers who are part of the programme will be able to start using the new brand’s design assets from The ENZ BrandLab from 23 October.  

  The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship website will also prominently showcase the refreshed brand from next week. 

  

  The new Manaaki logo consists of three parts. The tohu is on the left, the Manaaki wordmark is placed in the middle, with the Aotearoa New Zealand fernmark on the right-hand side.

  New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Manatū Aorere (MFAT) Scholarships Unit Manager, Alexandra Grace, said it was important for the new brand identity to reflect the transformational nature of Manaaki scholarships to build people’s skills and support them to contribute positively to their communities and countries.  

  “The new brand is an exciting step forward to unify the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme’s visual identity to appeal to prospective scholars who are most aligned with our Programme’s values,” Alexandra said. 

  

  He parirau is one of the key patterns of the new brand. It is inspired by the takarangi (spiral) and parirau (feathers).

  The brand identity development and working group involved kaimahi Māori from MFAT, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and Indigenous Design Innovation Aotearoa (IDIA) who gifted a specially crafted whakatauākī* for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme.  

  The whakatauākī ‘He Parirau Toro Ao’ translates to ‘stretch your wings to the world’.  

  ENZ’s Senior Advisor, Rautaki Māori, Craig Rofe, said the whakatauākī is a profound taonga and gift to the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme.  

  “It beautifully anchors the programme in āhua Māori (Māori ways of being).” 

  “We are also pleased with how the whole process of creating the new brand has been steeped in āhua Māori. The way everyone involved in the project used whakawhanaungatanga – the specific act of getting to know one another before we started our work – and wānanga, coming together to meet, discuss and deliberate, every step of the way, made all the difference,” Craig said.     

  

  

  Digital banners showing the application of the brand and whakatauākī.

  The new brand was developed following research and interviews with 29 scholars and alumni, and a survey covering 627 people. 

  The research surfaced three compelling principles for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme – manaakitanga, empowering people, communities and countries, and fostering enduring connections.  

  Watch this video to hear more about the design elements of the new Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme brand identity.

  ENZ’s Manaaki Scholarships Manager, Nancy Linton, said the concept of manaakitanga is integral to the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme – not only by name, but also in the way that scholars are supported during their entire journey, from application and study to their return home. 

  “The manaaki we show our visitors by embracing them like part of our ‘whānau’ or family is visible in the way our educational providers extend that support to Manaaki scholars and alumni, who really value it as part of their study experience. 

  “I am pleased with the way we have incorporated this core element of the Programme, among others, into the new brand identity,” Nancy said. 

  A brand transition period is in place through 28 February 2025, to allow providers enough time to switch to new brand assets.   

  Visit The ENZ BrandLab to access new design assets for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme after 24 October. 

  * Whakatauākī are proverbs where the person who said it first is known, as opposed to whakataukī, which are proverbs whose origin cannot be traced to a person. 

• From the CE: Telling the world New Zealand is open for business

  Our purpose was to promote New Zealand’s world-class education and share the message that New Zealand is open again for international students. Travelling with the Minister opened many doors for us and led to useful media coverage in all three partner countries.

  In Denver, USA, Minister Hipkins spoke at the plenary session to open NAFSA, the world’s largest international education conference. Te Pūkenga used the NAFSA event to launch its international education strategy, and ENZ launched the sector’s I AM NEW global marketing campaign. We met with senior officials to reaffirm New Zealand’s partnership commitment to the Gilman scholarships, which enable students of limited financial means to study abroad. We also met with NZ EdTech companies, including ImmerseMe, which uses virtual reality to teach languages. The company signed a 7-year partnership agreement with schools in the area during our visit.  

  The next stage of the trip was Brazil. In São Paulo we explored the possibility of English language study in New Zealand for school students with government Ministers; met with the São Paulo Research Foundation to support the growing NZ- São Paulo research engagement; and met with key education stakeholders from three São Paulo Universities: USP, UNESP and UNICAMP. 

  New Zealand is celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations with Chile this year, and our visit to Santiago included meeting with Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, and with Kiwi alumni. We signed two separate Education Cooperation Agreements – with Chile’s Minister of Education, and with the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities. We also visited Universidad Diego Portales, which has a long history of collaboration with NZ EdTech company, ADInstruments, whose technology has been implemented as part of the university’s educational model. 

  We were warmly received everywhere, and there was a high level of interest in New Zealand. It was great to reconnect with Kiwis offshore, and with alumni, agents and others who have a genuine interest in building relationships with New Zealand – and to be able to support their efforts in person at a wide range of events.  

  In other news, the recipients of the recent round of Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Asia and to Latin America are close to being finalised. That round of scholarships, which was solely open for group applications, will soon be followed by the opening of a second round of awards, this time focussed solely on individual applicants. Again, we will be seeking to encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds particularly Māori and Pasifika applicants. In anticipation of the next round, we encourage everyone to check out the alumni stories and other useful information on our scholarships website here.

  Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou – Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing. 

  Grant McPherson