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• International Student Hardship Fund now fully allocated

  The fund first opened for applications on 21 May. It was met with immediate interest by a wide variety of education institutions and community groups.

  A cross-ENZ team named Kāhui Oranga was charged with the fund’s administration. They met twice weekly to go through applications and ensure a balanced allocation of funds between regions, sectors and institutions.

  Education providers and community organisations are disseminating grants from the fund to international students in the form of cash grants, food parcels and accommodation support.

  ENZ Director of Student Experience and Global Citizens, Sahinde Pala, led Kāhui Oranga. She says the government was glad to be able to offer international students tangible support in such an uncertain time.

  “At ENZ we talk a lot about manaakitanga – the offering of hospitality and respect to guests. We really want every student that comes to New Zealand to feel valued,” she says.

  “It was obvious once the impacts of COVID-19 began to be felt here that we needed to offer our international students most in need extra support during these difficult times.”

  Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Poto Williams, announced the Assistance for Foreign Nationals impacted by COVID-19 Programme.

  This $37.6 million fund will open on 1 July and be administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. International students experiencing serious hardship will be able to apply to this programme to receive support with basic needs such as food and accommodation.

  Read the announcement here.

• Meet the team: John Goulter

  Could you please outline your own role and the role of the Stakeholders and Communications team?

  The Stakeholders and Communications team looks after the part of ENZ’s work that intersects with key external groups – such as other government departments, Ministers, Parliament and, through our various channels, the people of New Zealand.

  We try to get all those influences lined up in support of international education. Right now, thanks to COVID-19, there is more external focus on international education than there has been for years. We try to ensure it’s well-informed.

  How has COVID-19 impacted your team’s work, and what work do you have ahead of you with the recovery?

  Sometimes it seems like we have done nothing else since COVID-19 appeared on the horizon way back in January.

  It has brought to the surface some long-running issues about international education. It’s an opportunity for us to show leadership in outlining the future role of the sector, and developing interesting new approaches.

  

  John with ENZ Field Director - North America Lewis Gibson in Washington DC.

  Can you tell me a bit about your professional background?

  I was a journalist for a long time, mainly reporting politics from the Press Gallery in Parliament.

  I loved that at the time but I moved into public affairs roles because after a while in journalism I wanted to be influencing the way things happen, rather than just writing about them. 

  Journalism is now changing totally, like many sectors are. Some new models are emerging, but it’s a struggle in a country the size of New Zealand.

  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

  I like running and travelling and live music. So I’m not having a great year. Most running events have been cancelled or postponed, and so have all the concerts I had booked for.

  I listen to some podcasts, mainly about running and politics in the United States. It is hard for us to fathom the depth of the COVID-19 crisis they are going through.

  I actually liked a lot about our lockdown. It was good being a little family unit at home. I loved running on nearly empty roads. I took up Zoom yoga classes with my daughter in Christchurch. I wonder about what the new reality is going to look like for us all.

• Registrations open for ENZ Market Update Webinar – China

  ENZ's team in China has organised an industry webinar to introduce new team members, and offer local market updates and insights from external experts, including one of China’s largest education agencies.

  The team will share information around the initiatives they are progressing in-market and opportunities for New Zealand institutions to be involved.

  This is a great opportunity for New Zealand education providers to receive local in-market intelligence from ENZ staff and hear from Chinese education agents.

  ENZ Market Update Webinar – China

  When: Monday 28 September 2020, 3pm New Zealand time/10am Beijing time

  Please register at the link below:

  https://enz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m2v3xniOTz2eNp7j6tN_Qw

  And email any questions you’d like covered in the webinar to the ENZ China team at china@enz.govt.nz.

• China transnational education policy update: What it means for New Zealand education providers

  In early June, China’s Ministry of Education (China MOE) hosted its second Policy Briefing on China’s Opening-up in Education. This session followed the initial briefing held in September 2025, which was detailed in this update from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (China Insight: Transnational education update October 2025 | ENZ IntelliLab).

  The briefing was led by the Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges. Crucially, China MOE used this senior-level platform to directly address widespread international concerns regarding policy continuity and stability.

  The Director-General explicitly stated that China will not “slam on the brakes” on TNE partnerships in the coming years. Instead, Beijing views TNE as a core component of its strategy to become a world-leading education power by 2035, reassuring providers that the current open stance is built for the long term.

  ENZ's Regional Director - Greater China, Dr Ron Xavier said understanding China MOE policies and how they guide and develop its international education priorities is crucial for New Zealand education providers.

  “China remains New Zealand’s largest source for international students. Every year, up to 13,000 offshore Chinese students start their study with New Zealand providers as part of 81 transnational education partnerships. Understanding the essence of China's international education policies is important for New Zealand providers, as these settings continue to shape opportunities and expectations for transnational education partnerships between New Zealand and China,” Ron said.

  For New Zealand providers – both those managing established programmes and those entering the market – the key takeaways sit across three main areas:

  1. Regulatory predictability and market growth

  Rather than a sudden tightening of controls, China MoE is shifting toward a more transparent, predictable, and streamlined regulatory environment.

  ·         Faster approval tracks: In the first half of 2026 alone, China MoE approved 219 joint institutes and programmes – the highest level of approvals seen in over a decade. A policy change introduced in September 2025 is driving this momentum that locks in a strict decision-making timeline of 45 working days from application acceptance.

  ·         The global and New Zealand footprint: As of 31 May 2026, China has over 1,700 approved degree-conferring joint programmes and institutes involving more than 1,100 overseas institutions. New Zealand providers are highly competitive in this stable framework, securing 15 of the 219 newly approved global partnerships.

  ·         Codifying the rules: To cement these reforms into permanent structures, China MoE confirmed that a revision of the Regulations on Sino-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools is actively underway, alongside the upcoming release of an official Guide to TNE Cooperation.

  Regional growth pathways: As part of this stable expansion, China MoE highlighted strong, long-term demand from local governments in China’s central and western regions. Provinces with large populations and developing modern industries are actively seeking international partners, offering clear, secure opportunities for New Zealand providers looking to expand outside traditional coastal hubs.

  2. Student demographics and sustained demand

  To reassure providers that student demand will remain stable, China MoE linked its policy stance to clear demographic data:

  ·         Near-term peak (now to 2035): Demand for higher education places remains intensely strong. Gaokao (College Entrance Exam) registrations rose from 12.45 million in 2025 to 12.90 million in 2026, ensuring a massive pool of prospective students for the next decade.

  ·         Post-2035 demographic shift: While a dropping birth rate since 2017 means the college-aged population will fall sharply after 2035, the immediate focus for the next nine years is handling the current volume of students.

  ·         “Internationalisation at home”: Rising global mobility costs and broader international uncertainties mean more Chinese families prefer high-quality, international education delivered domestically. This structural social shift ensures steady, long-term recruitment for robust TNE programmes.

  3. Shifting from volume to quality control

  China MoE made it clear that while the door remains wide open, it is no longer about numbers alone. Policy stability will be paired with active quality management:

  ·         Normalised market exits: They noted that the closure of underperforming partnerships or those with low student recruitment is a normal, healthy part of managing a mature market. This ensures that high-quality, committed providers are protected from reputational risks caused by substandard programmes.

  ·         Official partner-matching platform: To support stable, high-level pairings, China is building an official online platform to help domestic institutions find suitable international partners. The first phase will list the world’s top 1,000 ranked foreign institutions, with plans to expand access later.

  What does this mean for New Zealand education providers?

  To help the sector understand these regulatory shifts and the TNE landscape between New Zealand and China, ENZ’s China team is running a targeted webinar unpacking these policy updates. This session will benefit both experienced TNE managers and providers new to the market. Read more and register on the link below.

  Webinar: Snapshot of transnational education between New Zealand and China  

  Join ENZ for a first sector-facing session on transnational education (TNE) trends, policy update, and an analysis of current TNE landscape between New Zealand and China, as well as what support Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) can offer to the sector.  

  Date: Friday, 31 July, 2-2.30pm New Zealand time (10-10.30 am Beijing time) 

  Presenters: ENZ Regional Director (Greater China), Ron Xavier, and Education Manager, Rosemary An 

  Why attend? 

  We are using this webinar as an opportunity to build broader sector awareness of TNE as an increasingly important tool for growing offshore enrolment, how well-structured TNE can contribute to expanding education access, generate revenue, build an international student pipeline and global brand awareness.   

  We are also keen to gather practical feedback and insights from education providers to guide how ENZ can support you in delivering in-market strategy through TNE collaboration.

  Who should attend? 

  The webinar is primarily tertiary education sector focused.  

  Register and attend

  For specific policy questions or to discuss your institution’s strategy in China, please contact the ENZ China Team at China.Enquiries@enz.govt.nz.

• Workshops on supporting international students’ mental health

  Monday 30 May 2022 at Helen Kitson Centre, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Christchurch

  Register here by 26 May.

   

  Monday 20 June 2022 at Lower Hutt Events Centre, Wellington

  Register here by 13 June. 

   

  About the workshop: 

  Culture shock, language barriers, isolation, loneliness, homesickness, separation from support groups, the loss of confidence — these are just a few of the challenges faced by many international students in New Zealand. Add to these differences in how different societies view, talk about and seek solutions for challenges relating to mental health, and we can see why it is difficult for schools to support their students effectively when they are struggling. 

  This workshop will be jointly facilitated by Ivan Yeo, Deputy Director of Asian Family Services and Jennifer Kirkham, PLD Operations Manager of SIEBA. The goal is to explore what might be going on for students struggling with their mental health, and how providers might best support them.  The workshop will be highly interactive with a focus on sharing and discussion of the topics provided, guided by the facilitators. 

• High level of interest in PM's Scholarships

  “We’re particularly pleased in the level of interest, given outbound mobility has been paused since March 2020,” says ENZ’s Global Citizenship Manager Carla Rey Vasquez.  

  “Since the Prime Minister’s Scholarships reopened earlier this year, we’ve also tried hard to reach a wider range of people than previously. 

  “In this latest round, 17 percent of applicants are Māori while the age range is from 18 to 66 years old. We want to continue achieving greater diversity and inclusion, so that a wider range of people can have an international education experience, and the opportunity to develop their global citizenship skills and learn more about the language and culture of partner countries.”  

  The majority of applications (110) were for Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Asia, with South Korea the most popular destination country. Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Latin America received 55 applications, and the top destination country is Colombia.  

  An extra step in selecting the final recipients has been introduced this year. If they are shortlisted, applicants will be given 10 days to respond to four additional questions seeking more detailed information about their proposed programme.  

  Completed applications will then be considered by the selection panel, which is due to meet in late October.   

  The current Prime Minister’s Scholarships round is for individual applicants, following the first round that awarded scholarships to 30 groups in July.  

  For more information about the Prime Minister’s Scholarships, please visit the scholarships website.

• Innovative leadership programme funded by PIF proves great success

  The Crusaders partnered with Christchurch-based education provider Boma to develop an engaging online leadership programme sharing the Crusaders Way with rugby coaches for all age levels. The programme draws on rugby legends Scott Robertson, Robbie Deans, Kieran Read and Samuel Whitelock to help participants build a connected and skilful team.  

  The Crusaders chose to collaborate with Boma because of the values alignment between the two organisations, combined with Boma’s expertise in crafting compelling, impactful, scalable online learning experiences.  

  Boma is a recipient of ENZ’s Product Innovation Fund, which assists in the development of programmes that deliver new, meaningful and unique learning experiences from New Zealand, for the world. 

  The funding allowed Boma to embark into a new area and develop the Crusaders pilot programme. Boma already runs events, workshops, and courses, and has worked with leading organisations in Aotearoa and around the world. Some of Boma’s clients include IAG, Meridian Energy, Stuff and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. 

  While fully on-demand online courses have been around for a long time, they typically generate low completion rates. Boma’s approach is different, creating a cohort of learners who move through the programme together, leveraging pre-recorded video with time-sensitive community engagement.  

  Boma founder Kaila Colbin says their unique method delivers extraordinary outcomes. 

  “Our programmes are designed to offer the quality and impact of Stanford, the scalability of Masterclass, and the excitement and shared experience of TED,” she says. 

  Kaila explains that the coaches have the flexibility to complete the course in their own time but have a sense of urgency and accountability because of the community element.  

  The two-week pilot was completed by 114 coaches from 14 countries. It had glowing written feedback and earned a Net Promoter Score, or NPS, of 80%. NPS is a widely used customer satisfaction benchmark in which the potential score ranges from -100 to +100. A positive score is considered good and a score above 50 is considered outstanding. 

  Boma has big plans for the future, growing from rugby leadership to sports leadership to business and general leadership.  

  Registrations are open for the next Crusaders course, which starts on 30 January 2023.  

  Find out more about Boma here and find out more about the Crusaders Coaching Leadership Programme™ here.  

• Introducing Sharon-May McCrostie, ENZ’s new Director Sector Engagement

  Can you tell us about your professional background including the role you had prior to joining ENZ?

  After graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Management Studies specialising in Japanese and International Business, I joined the primary export sector. I held a range of sales, marketing and business development roles in the seafood and horticultural sectors with a focus on Asian markets, including with ENZA (the NZ Apple and Pear Marketing Board) in Singapore. My first job was in Bluff, exporting live lobster!

  Prior to joining ENZ, I spent 20 years with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in a range of roles supporting NZ exporters to realise their international growth ambitions. In my last role there, I was Customer Director where I led a team of customer managers supporting digital technology and services exporters across the central New Zealand region.

  What are your thoughts on your new role so far?

  I feel I have joined ENZ at the perfect time as the team here comes together to co-create next year’s business plan. Early in the role, I was catapulted into focus groups with sub-sectors to understand their priorities and ensure we focus on the right opportunities and challenges to enable the international education sector to flourish. Providers were generous in sharing insights and setting expectations for ENZ, providing important input into the business planning process.

  As we work through the process, I have been incredibly impressed with the knowledge of my team and the wider  ENZ team, and admire the depth of passion and ambition to ensure we make a difference to the sector.

  What do you see as the challenges and potential opportunities for our sector?

  The market for international learners is hyper competitive, and our main competitors are driving hard to win market share in the face of ongoing global uncertainty.  New Zealand has an excellent reputation for education, but we must be smarter and nimbler to maintain an edge over our competitors and attract quality learners to NZ. 

  We must continue to build brand awareness and enable agents and providers to provide a compelling case for choosing a NZ education. As the sector shifts from recovery to rebuild, it is an opportunity to think differently about how we partner with the sector to co-create a robust, resilient, and innovative sector that meets the needs of the future learner:  I am excited to be part of that conversation.

  Outside of work, what do you like to do?

  Wellington is blessed with rolling hills that embrace the harbour, and I love running its trails and taking in the soaring views. I also love to swim – mostly in a pool, with the occasional plunge in the ocean. Otherwise, I love to read, rummage through op shops for vintage china and linen, and hang out with my daughters who are my biggest teachers.

   

• Smart cities and AI technology key focus for KIWI Challenge 2023

  The competition is designed to inspire youth across Indonesia to be engaged in entrepreneurial activities that address societal issues.

  The 2023 theme is “Reforming Indonesia’s mobility and smart cities using AI technology”.

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) organises the competition in collaboration with a New Zealand university and Kopi Tuli (Deaf Cafe), a deaf community in Jakarta. This year, ENZ is partnering up with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to co-host the initiative.

  School groups are required to submit video entries to a judging panel made up of AUT academics and ENZ representatives. Submissions are reviewed by the panel and finalists selected. The students will then be supported through a number of workshops and mentoring by the AUT academics.  

  The participating academic from AUT is Senior Lecturer International Business, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Dr Taghreed Hikmet, who has expertise in smart cities and is passionate about mentoring and inspiring young future leaders. She has had close involvement in multiple programmes like YES, where she mentored young entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas. 

  Dr Hikmet says she is honoured to be involved this year.   

  “It is a delight to have the opportunity to inspire Indonesian students to think creatively about what the future can look like. The development of smart cities is about improving sustainability, creating opportunities for economic development and enhancing the quality of life for people, I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas students put forward,” she says. 

  ENZ Director Asia Ben Burrowes says that this initiative showcases New Zealand’s world-class education and academics in a meaningful way. 

  “Now entering its fourth year, KIWI Challenge has grown into a unique platform for New Zealand and our top academics to remain connected to Indonesian students in a way that is in touch with what matters to them. We continue to work with partners in Indonesia to identify the themes that resonate with students” he says.

  The winners of the competition will be announced on Saturday 25 November, the top three groups will be awarded vouchers worth IDR 2,000,000 – 10,000,000. 

  To date, the competition has attracted more than 1,000 Indonesian students through the programme and each year has showcased a New Zealand university and a particular theme. Previous university partners were Massey University (Tourism), Lincoln University (Agribusiness) and the University of Canterbury (Education Technology).  

• Smart waste management idea sees students take out top spot in KIWI Challenge Indonesia finals

  The theme was “Reforming Indonesia’s mobility and smart cities using AI technology”. This year’s initiative hosted 59 teams from across 37 schools for a total of 269 student participants, the highest ever at the KIWI Challenge.  

  The groups were required to submit video entries to a judging panel made up of AUT academics and ENZ representatives, who reviewed the submissions and selected finalists. Participants received mentoring from a New Zealand university academic through the process and took part in workshops to refine their business plans. They were given a taste of New Zealand’s learning environment along the way and built an understanding of our tertiary education offering for future planning.  

  The participating academic was Dr Taghreed Hikmet from AUT, a Senior Lecturer in International Business, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship who has expertise in smart cities and is passionate about mentoring and inspiring young future leaders. 

  The finals were held on Saturday 25th November, where six shortlisted teams from across Indonesia presented their ideas to a panel of judges made up of Dr Hikmet (AUT), Ben Burrowes (ENZ’s Regional Director, Asia), and Indonesia Embassy staff (representing Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Hira Trisnoputri.  

  UniSadhuGuna International College took first place with their ‘Greenlight’ business idea, a smart waste management enterprise which aims to create a sustainable waste management system that actively involves households, businesses, and the government. UniSadhuGuna International College received a voucher worth 10,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah for winning the competition.  

  

  Winners! The team from UniSadhuGuna international College took out first place with their ‘Greenlight’ business idea.

  Dr Hikmet reflected on the KIWI Challenge warmly. “It has been truly rewarding, observing the outstanding progress and growth in the finalists' projects, presentations, and overall confidence.  

  "It was a privilege to engage with high school students across Indonesia, contributing to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit fostered by the competition. Excitement brews within me for the potential of future collaborations and initiatives,” Dr Hikmet concluded.  

  Following the finals, Ben Burrowes and Dr Taghreed Hikmet participated in an Instagram Live session with KOMPAS TV, the leading media network in Indonesia. This Instagram Live generated a total of 3.4k views and the highest number of people watching online was 348. You can watch the Instagram Live here: Part 1 and Part 2.