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  • NZ forges fruitful partnership with Paraná state, Brazil’s education powerhouse

    Following a visit to New Zealand universities in September by a delegation of authorities from Paraná state, Brazil, the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence organised a reciprocal trip for a group of New Zealand educational representatives to go to Curitiba, Paraná’s capital city. The purpose of the visit was for the New Zealand delegation to get a closer look at the research structure of this southern Brazilian state and discuss future pathways for collaboration between Brazilian and New Zealand students and researchers.  

    The public higher education system of Paraná is made up of seven state universities and three federal institutions spread across several cities, with in-person and distance learning. They are quality research and teaching institutions, with substantial scientific production capacity and academic prestige. Paraná state has a population of roughly 11 million people. 

     

    New Zealand delegation meets with representatives of the State Secretariat for Science, Technology and Higher Education of Paraná and deans of state universities.

     

    During the meetings in the capital of Paraná, held in mid-October, there were several discussions with deans and vice-deans of state universities, representatives of the State Secretariat for Science, Technology and Higher Education and the Araucária Foundation, a state-funded institution that focuses on promoting high-level scientific research. 

    New Zealand delegation at the Araucária Foundation, which funds scientific research

    The meetings were attended by Secretary Aldo Nelson Bona and his team; market development manager of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) in Brazil, Bruna de Natale; Nicole Freeman, from the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence; as well as representatives from 3 of the 8 New Zealand universities: Frank Bloomfield, from The University of Auckland, Leonel Alvarado, from Massey University and Jannik Haas, from the University of Canterbury. 

    Frank Bloomfield is deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation at the University of Auckland. During the visit he highlighted the importance of collaborating internationally with other universities to undertake research and how one cannot conduct research in your own country alone. 

    "I’ve had the pleasure of leading two delegations to Brazil this year. Firstly, in April for the Faubai conference, when we also had the opportunity to talk to some professors from leading Brazilian universities. And now this visit.  

    “Despite our differing geographic and population sizes, the research priorities of our countries are very similar. We have heard from our colleagues here in Brazil that we have similar priorities but also similar problems,” said Frank.  

    “An example of this is in agriculture and how we need to think about using new techniques and new technologies such as genomics to improve our productivity in agriculture. This also applies to a whole host of different areas in which our priorities are similar including freshwater and culture, engineering, and chemical sciences, for example,” added Frank.”  

  • Update from Immigration NZ

    Improving how Immigration New Zealand processes Student Visa applications

    You may be aware that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will move student visa applications onto its enhanced Immigration Online platform in the second half of 2025.  

    As part of this work, INZ is designing ways to improve the experience of applicants by:  

    • making it clearer which type of student visa to apply for  
    • improving information on the evidence requirements (especially financial evidence and demonstrating genuine, or bona fide intentions) and  
    • improving visibility of the progress of applications.   

    After initial designs are developed, INZ will test these with a group of students and nominees from education provider peak bodies that include:  

    • Universities New Zealand  
    • Te Pūkenga  
    • Schools International Education Business Association (SIEBA)  
    • Independent Schools NZ (ISNZ)  
    • Independent Tertiary Education New Zealand (ITENZ)  
    • Quality Tertiary Institutions (QTI)  
    • English New Zealand (Private and University English Language Colleges)  

    This work is centred around ways customers apply for student visas, and how INZ processes these. Substantive policy change is not part of this work.  

    INZ's focus is on implementing key improvements for students and the sector and ensuring a successful transition to its enhanced Immigration Online platform. 

  • Winners of KIWI Challenge announced

    This year was the first where university students were able to enter a new category alongside the schools' challenge.  

    The winning teams from Petra Christian University and USG Education headed off strong competition from eight other finalists, drawing praise from the judges for their solutions to support youth-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).  

    Finalists presented to a panel of judges from University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), who were cohosting the initiative.  

    Both winning teams received a voucher valued at 10,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 1,000NZD) as well as virtual internships from the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka commencing in semester one, 2025. 

    Tech-led solutions 

    A team from Petra Christian University developed an app ‘Partify’ which connects emerging small businesses and keen part-time workers. Businesses post part-time jobs, and workers swipe to find flexible gigs nearby, with AI matching candidates based on skills, location, and availability. 

    Partify university winner – ENZ market manager Naluri Bella and University of Otago Regional Market Manager Sarah Ewing present the award for First Place in the University category to team members from Petra Christian University for their app ‘Partify’.

    In the high school category, a team from USG Education took the top prize with ‘LAW4MSME’, a platform allowing small businesses to access legal information and advice.  

    LAW4MSME High school winner - ENZ market manager Naluri Bella and University of Otago Regional Market Manager Sarah Ewing present the award for First Place in the University category to team members from USG Education for their platform “LAW4MSME’.

    Explaining the group’s business idea, team leader for LAW4MSME, David Francis said the students found that Indonesian youth-led SMEs lack knowledge of the laws and regulations needed to run their businesses. 

    “To address this, we developed an AI bot that educates SME owners on these regulations, helping them navigate legal requirements more effectively,” David said. 

    The KIWI Challenge competition aims to inspire youth across Indonesia to engage in entrepreneurial activities and help resolve societal issues. Over the five years the competition has run, 1000 Indonesian youth have participated. This year, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) partnered with University of Otago to co-host the initiative.  

    This year’s competition included 49 teams with a total of 221 student participants.  

    Mentorship key 

    Mentorship is a key element of the competition. The finalists attended a workshop run by Associate Professor Dr Conor O’Kane, Head of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship programme at Otago Business School. This assisted entrants to develop their ideas and refine business plans.  

    ENZ Acting General Manager International Ben Burrowes said he’s delighted to see the continued development of the KIWI Challenge.  

    “Inviting university students for the first time has given us the opportunity to include a whole new cohort of talented young entrepreneurs, and we have been very impressed with the quality and creativity of their submissions,” Ben said. 

    “The competition has also benefitted from the enthusiasm and expertise of our colleagues at the University of Otago, and we are grateful for their willingness to partner with us for the KIWI challenge’s fifth year.” 

    Dr O’Kane said it was inspiring to witness the quality of entrepreneurial thinking among Indonesian students. 

    “These students have very bright futures. The concepts and programmes the finalists presented were remarkable and captured the impressive ability of the teams to identify tangible business problems and visualise and communicate a solution to these challenges,” Dr O’Kane said. 

  • From the CE: Accountability and balance

    ENZ has experienced a challenging operating environment in recent years, and it continues to work through changing expectations. In order to best prepare the organisation for the challenges ahead, I recently initiated an organisational restructure, the decisions of which were released to staff this week following a two-week consultation process. 

    I have been very clear as to what I am looking to achieve and have set out the following driving principles of:

    • Clear accountability for the delivery of core services and enabling support.
    • Achieving a balance between New Zealand based and offshore capability.
    • Improving decision making, communication and collaboration by ensuring appropriate spans of control.
    • Optimising spend, where appropriate, to meet government expectations.
    • Identifying and creating opportunities for investment into the future capability needed to deliver our strategy.
    • Positioning ENZ to deliver at speed, with agility and reinforce a culture of high performance.

    Key changes include a realignment and reduction of Senior Leadership roles by more than half, a focus on lifting the capability and resourcing of our international teams, changes for Sector Engagement and Services with a pivot toward a stronger focus on international services, and the creation of a Strategy, Capability and Performance Group. In total 28 roles have been disestablished with 17 new roles created. 

    ENZ now moves into a process to fill these new roles – with leadership roles to be advertised externally shortly. The new organisational structure will come into effect on 3 February 2025. 

    Change is never easy and I understand how difficult this has been for our ENZ team. I am very proud of the professional way everyone has engaged with this process. 

    I appreciate your understanding and patience for our people as we work through the implementation of this new structure. In the meantime, your key contacts and teams will remain the same. I will be able to provide a further update in the New Year.

    He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata

    Kindness to all people is a great treasure.

     

    Ngā mihi nui,  

    Amanda Malu 

    Chief Executive  
    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

  • Hundreds of Brazilian high school students arrive at New Zealand schools

    Over January and February, 200 students from Paraná and 100 from São Paulo arrived in New Zealand on a Brazilian state-funded scholarship that will have them spending a semester and term in New Zealand schools while staying with host families.  

    Chosen for their academic performance, attendance, and completion of an English course, these top students get a chance to immerse themselves in New Zealand's education system and culture. 

    New Zealand is considered a strategic partner by Paraná state and São Paulo. This programme highlights the success of increased educational cooperation between Brazil and New Zealand. In addition to improving English proficiency, the initiative also aims to develop intercultural skills.  

    Paraná's programme, launched in 2019, has sent 1,240 students to various countries, with more than 600 going to New Zealand.  

    Coordinator of the São Paulo programme, Simone Telles, said New Zealand was chosen for this programme due to our innovative education system, use of technology, the freedom given to students and the welcoming nature of New Zealanders. 

    Simone Telles and ENZ’s Market Development Manager, Bruna de Natale: Education partnership between São Paulo and New Zealand.

    In São Paulo, ENZ Market Development Manager, Bruna de Natale, attended one of the departure days for the group traveling to New Zealand. Bruna spoke to Luciangela Fonseca, mother of one of the selected students, Juan Fonseca. Luciangela said she felt “pride mixed with fear and emotion” and that the family felt privileged to get this opportunity.  

    Juan Fonseca, his parents, and sister. Emotions at the departure for Auckland. 

    All programme costs are funded by Brazilian states, including transportation, education, food, accommodation, and leisure activities.  

    Paraná students departing in São Paulo.

  • Immigration New Zealand update

    India delegation 

    Alison McDonald, Head of Immigration, joined ENZ Chief Executive Amanda Malu as part of the Prime Minister’s official delegation to India. Celia Coombes, Director Visa at Immigration New Zealand, responsible for the student visa product, joined Amanda and Ben Burrowes in India afterwards where they supported the New Zealand delegation at the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) and met with the New Zealand Education Representatives in India (NZERI), a group of Indian education agents. 

    “Immigration New Zealand found the trip very valuable and insightful,” says Celia. 

    “Now we are working on how we can continue to support the growth of the education sector, particularly in India which is such an important market for New Zealand, and what needs to be done to support more applications being approved.” 

    New local points of contact in India and China 

    Immigration New Zealand has new Engagement Advisors appointed in New Delhi and Beijing. They will be a local point of contact and working to improve communication within both the education and tourism industry. 

    Visa processing 

    INZ is in a strong position for processing student visas, following initiatives put in place to make our processing more efficient. At the end of March 2025, international student visas were being decided in 10 days (two weeks) on average.  

    On average Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) applications are being processed within 2.5 weeks, 2 weeks for University applications, 3 weeks for Private Training Establishment applications and 1.5 weeks for school applications.  

    INZ have already decided more than 20,500 student visa applications so far this year, and approved around 18,000 student visa applications (from 1 Jan – 31 March 2025).  

    To help with faster visa processing, it is key that all the information and documents needed to decide the application is provided. All the details can be found on our information sheet for students on the INZ website: Student visa information | Immigration New Zealand.  

     

  • Successful agent engagement and student recruitment drive in Malaysia

    The events aimed to gauge student interest in studying in New Zealand and deepen collaboration with education agents and schools.  

    To kick off the series, in early March, ENZ and representatives from New Zealand universities co-hosted a morning tea information session and focus group for Malaysian education agents in Kuala Lumpur.  

    The session promoted the ENZ resources available to support agents, and representatives from University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Massey University, University of Otago, and University of Waikato led a discussion exploring key messages that resonate with Malaysian students and parents, understanding the factors influencing destination choice and brainstorming strategies to strengthen New Zealand’s brand visibility.  

    The event brought together 11 agencies from across Kuala Lumpur.   

    Co-funded agent activity 

    ENZ supported three key education agencies from across Malaysia to undertake co-funded student recruitment activity.  

    In Selangor, AECC Global Malaysia and ENZ hosted a mini-booth fair at HELP International School – giving students the opportunity to interact directly with representatives from Auckland University of Technology, the University of Auckland, the University of Canterbury, University of Otago, and the University of Waikato.  

    The mini-booth fair at HELP International School.

    The mini-booth fair at HELP International School.

    Over to Shah Alam, SELSET Education partnered with INTEC College to host an information session showcasing eight of New Zealand’s tertiary institutions.  

    INTEC College students heard from the Auckland University of Technology, the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Southern Institute of Technology, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and pathway provider, University of Canterbury International College.  

    Around 100 students were in attendance, and the session was followed by an opportunity for students to chat further with the study providers on show.    

    Students at INTEC College exploring New Zealand tertiary education study options.

    To close out the co-funded activity, ENZ made its first official visit to East Malaysia since before the pandemic. 

    ENZ and JM Education partnered to lead a series of school visits in late April Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.  

    Around 400 students attended information sessions across three schools. The events were led by the University of Auckland and University of Otago at Kota Kinabalu High School, Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah, and Maktab Nasional. 

    Attendees of one of the information sessions.

    ENZ Market Manager for Indonesia and Malaysia, Naluri Bella, said that partnering with agents for co-funding targeted activities helps enhance both agents and students’ awareness and understanding of New Zealand’s unique education offering.  

    “These collaborations not only build trust and commitment among agents but also positions New Zealand as a competitive and credible choice for Malaysian students,” she said.   

     

  • Felix Loh: kūwaha a symbol of enduring ties to New Zealand

    Now chief executive of the stunning and expansive botanical attraction that is Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, Felix is delighted that it was selected as the site for a Māori kūwaha, or carved doorway, which feels personally symbolic to him.

    Recently unveiled by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the kūwaha celebrates the long-standing friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Singapore. “New Zealand has a special place in my heart, and I am honoured to host this precious Māori artefact. I hope the kūwaha will be a symbol of our friendship for many years to come.” 

    New Zealand now feels like a second home to Felix, but he shocked his parents and perplexed the scholarship selection committee back in 1988 when he told them he wanted to study horticulture at Massey University.  

    “I knew that Massey was well-known as an agricultural centre of excellence, and that horticulture was a very popular course,” he says. “But they were puzzled and asked me why I wanted to be a farmer in an urban city state like Singapore.

    “My Dad did not speak to me for a few years, because Asians all want their kids to be lawyers, engineers, and doctors, and I chose to be a plant doctor instead. But I never regretted that decision.”

    Felix says he felt welcome from the moment he arrived in New Zealand and enjoyed his four years as an international student so much he would have stayed on if he could. But the terms of his scholarship meant he needed to return to Singapore.

    The Māori kūwaha recently unveiled at Gardens by the Bay.

    No such thing as a stupid question 

    A less formal approach to education, with an emphasis on inquiry and collaborative learning, proved an initial challenge for Felix but ended up being one of the reasons he rates his New Zealand education experience so highly.  

    “At my first class we were told that we were expected to ask questions. This was the first time that I heard the phrase ‘there’s no such thing as a stupid question’,” he says. “That shook me, because in Singapore in those days nobody answered a question in class unless they were sure they had the right answer. For the first time, someone was willing to explore an alternative point of view.” 

    He turned up to English classes thinking it would simply be language tuition but discovered it was all about writing for your audience, with essays to be critiqued by classmates. “I initially questioned why fellow students would judge my work, but I quickly understood the value in taking on board a diversity of views to refine an idea or get a better product.” 

    And group project work certainly provided a life lesson for Felix, who had been conditioned to individual success based on exam results. “Not only did we have to work in groups, but we couldn’t choose our project partners,” he says.  

    “I’ll never forget the lecturer telling us that when we get to the workplace, we cannot choose our boss or even our colleagues, so we need to be able to work with different people. I learned that New Zealanders place people at the centre of what they do, and that we need to learn to appreciate the input of others.”

    “I learned that New Zealanders place people at the centre of what they do”

    Felix says his New Zealand education set him up for life-long learning which has helped to drive his career success. “You’ve got to learn and unlearn throughout your whole lifetime. It’s not so much about the content, but about being curious and knowing where to go for the answers.”

    Friendships lead to enduring ties 

    It is through the people he met that he has forged an enduring relationship with New Zealand. Fellow churchgoers and schoolmates became life-long friends and “a moral and emotional support base” over the years. He has returned to New Zealand many times and stays in touch with former lecturers and teaching staff, some of whom are now plant suppliers for him in his role at Gardens by the Bay.

    Felix at Gardens by the Bay.

    “When I took on this job, one of my first trips was to go back to New Zealand to source new plants for our temperate Flower Dome. I visited a number of nurseries, just knocking on their doors, and I was made to feel so welcome. It just felt like I was at home.”

    The world is a very different place from what it was in the 1990s, but Felix says the value of international education remains as important as ever.

    “International education helps us to understand other perspectives better and demystify misconceptions we have about each other.

    “In today’s uncertain world it is always good to have friends in other places. You discover that we have more things in common than set us apart.”

  • From Russia to New Zealand: "I've lived two different lives"

    Home was Petropavlovks-Kamchatsy, on the far eastern seaboard of Russia, almost 7000km from Moscow, and the decision to leave was a relatively spontaneous one. “The whole experience was pretty surreal.” 

    He was introduced to the possibility of an education experience in New Zealand by ACG (Academic Colleges Group), which held a fair in his hometown back in 2008. “I had never heard of them visiting Russia before, let alone my hometown as it’s so remote.”

    Andrey admits that at the time he wasn’t keen to stay on in Russia and “jumped at the opportunity” to come to New Zealand for a six-month stint in Year 13 at ACG Parnell College.

    “Looking back on it, I really wanted to go somewhere far from home and different. I placed all my hope on it being a better place and it turned out that it was. That internal drive to explore took over and I followed my intuition.”

    Student life provides connections

    Having improved his English, Andrey went on to study for his Bachelor of Commerce in finance and economics at the University of Auckland, where he found his tribe. “Life in Russia did not resonate with me in the way that life in New Zealand did,” he says. “I think what was missing for me at home was the kind of openness and connectivity which is so apparent here.”

    Coming to New Zealand I was exposed to other people’s perspectives and backgrounds, and I really connected with that.

    "I felt a sense of belonging and that I could be who I am without judgement. Breaking away from being expected to fit a certain mould at home was a big thing for me.”

    With new-found confidence and his degree completed, Andrey travelled the world on modelling contracts before “returning to the original plan” and establishing a career in e-commerce and project management.  

    And he has the perfect credentials for his current role at The Mind Lab, helping to launch Mission New Zealand, an online education portal aimed at international students. “It provides short courses and micro-credentials as a taster of what education in New Zealand is like and what it can provide. It’s a full circle moment for me.” 

    Mission New Zealand highlights what makes an education experience in Aotearoa unique through the lens of creativity, sustainability, tech innovation, and culture. “I think it puts us on the map in terms of global education.” 

    Looking back, Andrey says he would have loved the opportunity to access a platform like this as a student travelling to a foreign country, “to really get an understanding of what it’s like on the ground”. He says he is excited to see what impact Mission New Zealand can have.

    Life-changing move 

    The decision to leave Russia for New Zealand has been life-changing for Andrey. He is now a citizen and knows his future lies here. “There is so much social and career mobility here and that’s exciting for me.”  

    He arrived determined to carve out a new path in life and he has certainly achieved that. “I have grown into a person who is more confident and assured, and not afraid to explore new opportunities.” 

    He now has plans to explore and better understand the significance of te ao Māori. “I want to immerse myself in that space. I love that in New Zealand there is more than one way of seeing the world. It is so important that there is an alternative perspective,” he says.

    “I would like to get a deeper understanding of the tenets of te ao Māori, to see the challenges we are facing and the potential solutions through a different lens.”

    His advice to students considering coming to New Zealand is to get fully immersed in the culture “and absorb it all”. “Don’t come to recreate what you had at home. If you do, you’ll miss huge opportunity for personal growth.”

    Andrey says his life now looks nothing like his old life. “It’s like I’ve lived two different lives.” And he’s not done yet.

    “Coming to New Zealand has drastically changed how I view myself in the world,” he says.“ Through international education you realise that your actions do matter, that you do have the potential to make a real impact. You start seeing yourself as an individual in a connected system.”

    “Keep exploring is my motto for the future.”

  • Hong Kong student wins Wellington award for unstinting community service

    The Year 12 student from Wellington Girls’ College has been named a winner at the annual Wellington International Student Excellence Awards for her contribution to the city’s international student community and her tireless community service.

    She was among a group of 24 high-achieving secondary and tertiary international students recognised at the event for excelling academically, in the arts, sport, community, or online.

    As the only child of a teacher and a primary school assistant, Jasmine came to New Zealand in November 2019 to complete her education. Leaving behind a competitive school environment, and a tense and complex political environment, she arrived in Wellington ready to embrace the open and culturally diverse environment she found herself in.

    Jasmine says that she had always wanted to get involved in community activities, but until arriving in New Zealand she lacked both the confidence and the opportunities.

    “As an international student here, I have been given so many opportunities. I want to treasure all of them and get involved.”

    Jasmine quickly understood the value of participation and leadership.

    “Arriving in a new country where you don’t know anyone can be a lonely experience, and it’s easy to just hang out with people from your own country, but I have made great friends, both from New Zealand and around the world, and gained support through the organisations I’m involved with.”

    From helping to reinvigorate the International Club at school, Jasmine went on to be a key player in the establishment of the Wellington International Students’ Association, which not only connects international students across city schools, but also seeks to build relationships between domestic and international students.

    Domestic and international students learn from each other

    She believes there is much that domestic students stand to learn from international students.

    “They get to see a perspective from another part of the world. Coming here to study has allowed me to immerse myself in New Zealand's culture and learn far more about the country than I would if I was a tourist.

    “I’m sure the same applies to New Zealand students who haven’t had the opportunity for exchanges or travel. Through encouraging domestic students to get involved in our events we have built stronger connections.”

    But Jasmine hasn’t stopped there. From Mary Potter Hospice to Conservation Volunteers New Zealand to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA), she has put in the mahi. She recently earned her SVA Silver Service Award pin for clocking up more than 250 volunteer hours working to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    Taking her community service to the next level, Jasmine has been selected to represent Wellington Girls’ College in the National Ambassador programme. She will join other like-minded students from around the country working to connect, support, and empower international students.

    All of this while juggling studies, sport, mentoring, and music. However, she insists that she has gained more from her community service than she has given.

    Volunteering builds skills and network

    “Volunteering gave me the opportunity to get out there and build a strong network with experienced people. I’ve gained important inter-personal skills like customer service and communications, and I’ve also learned a lot about New Zealand culture.”

    Jasmine says being an international student in New Zealand has also allowed her to appreciate some of the important issues which other communities, such as the LGBTQIA, face.

    “I appreciate the inclusiveness towards gender minorities here. In Asia, people are much more reserved about their beliefs and opinions but here we can have open discussions and everyone can be passionate about sharing their thoughts. It has had a powerful influence on me.”

    Global citizen skills important

    The global citizen skills acquired through international education are so important for the current generation of students heading off to Uni or into the workforce, Jasmine says.

    “It’s important to know people from other parts of the world, understand some of the issues they face, and appreciate their culture and beliefs. Building relationships in-person is so much more valuable than learning from the internet.”

    “The diversity of ethnicity and cultures, religious and political opinions here in New Zealand has really enhanced my worldview.”

    Jasmine is delighted to have been recognised for her contribution to the community, and says her parents were thrilled when her name was announced at the awards ceremony. “Not only are they proud of my own achievements, but they feel that I am representing Hong Kong well in New Zealand.”

    Jasmine’s parents were among 214 friends and family of recipients who joined the livestream of the awards ceremony from around the world.

    As for the future, Jasmine is looking forward to completing Year 13 and being a member of the student executive next year, striving for the SVA Gold Award for volunteering, being a National Student Ambassador, and ultimately heading to the US to study Computer Science.

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