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• Spotlight on Japan

  When young Japanese student and talented rugby player Megumi came to New Zealand for six weeks to learn English in 2018, she loved it so much she decided to stay.

  Her welcoming host family and peers were a large part of why she chose to make the move – on top of the chance to play rugby four times a week and learn at a high-quality secondary school.

  Megumi is just one of the over 9,000 Japanese who come to New Zealand annually to study.

  In fact, Japan is the third largest source country for New Zealand’s international education sector.

  “New Zealand really values its education relationship with Japan, which stretches back over 60 years,” ENZ General Manager International, Lisa Futschek, says. “It’s economically important, but it also helps to enrich our young people’s lives and maintain strong cultural and people-to-people ties.”

  The number of Japanese students coming here to study has grown steadily since 2013, and looks likely to increase as a number of Japanese government policies centred on internationalisation take effect.

  ENZ Senior Market Development Manager for Japan, Misa Kitaoka, says 688 people visited the 2019 ENZ Fair, held in September; an all-time high and up from 500 visitors in 2018.

  “I noticed significantly more parents with young children were present at the fair and this is likely driven by the fact that English will become a compulsory subject for primary-schoolers in Japan next year from 2020,” she says.

  

  While the market demand has traditionally been focused on short-term programmes (less than three months), Misa also saw increasing interest in the long-term studies among the visitors. Given the Japanese government’s internationalisation agenda, Japanese universities are increasingly adopting the Admission Office (AO) method of assessing applicants. This means there is less emphasis on Japan’s university entrance exam held once a year, allowing those students who return from New Zealand with NCEA certification to more easily apply to Japanese universities.

  Scholarships are also playing a part in generating interest in New Zealand. The Japanese government also support a series of scholarships. The Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO), for example, offers monetary awards for both inbound and outbound students studying at tertiary level. The TOBITATE (“leap for tomorrow” in Japanese) Study Abroad initiative administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) also provides scholarships for both school and tertiary students to study overseas.  

  What do Japanese students love about New Zealand?

  Most Japanese students travel to New Zealand to study at secondary school level.

  The opportunity to learn English in a safe and supportive environment is attractive to many Japanese learners, as is the chance to visit a country that is almost as rugby-mad as Japan. Programmes such as Game On English leverage both interests, bringing students here to both learn English and play sport at the same time.

  New Zealand’s unique style of teaching is also a major attraction for prospective Japanese students and their parents. From primary school on, Kiwi students are encouraged to work collaboratively with digital devices, which develops the “21st century skills” promoted by the Japanese government and outlined in a report published by the World Economic Forum. Additionally, Japanese students coming to New Zealand will experience this learning environment in an inclusive and diverse environment with many different cultures.

  Many Japanese alumni report that the Māori culture made a big impact on their time in New Zealand. Research released by the Asia New Zealand Foundation in September this year, New Zealand and Japan: To Our Future, identified Japan as the Asian country that held the most culturally similar views and values to Māori culture.

  “The importance Japanese people place on reciprocity and hospitality resonates with values like manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga. Both cultures emphasise respect for elders, take a long-term perspective and stress personal relationships underpinning business dealings.”

  2019 Rugby World Cup

  Education New Zealand, alongside other NZ Inc agencies, have concentrated efforts on raising New Zealand’s profile in Japan during the Rugby World Cup 2019.

  New Zealand and Japan: To Our Future found that many Japanese have a limited view of New Zealand. New Zealand was seen as being safe, clean and green, but also a little unsophisticated and not as technologically advanced as Japan.

  Tourism New Zealand led the hosting of a pop-up event with support from ENZ last month. 

  Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended and posed for pictures with former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and international alumni.

  ENZ’s Misa Kitaoka says cross-agency collaboration like this is one of the most effective ways to increase awareness of New Zealand among the Japanese public.

  “As destination marketing plays a key role for us, I hope to leverage high-profile NZ Inc activities and ministerial visits.”

• BELTA Seal Survey open now

  The online survey, run by the Brazilian Educational Language and Travel Association (BELTA) and co-sponsored by Education New Zealand, is a major review of Brazilian students that have chosen to pursue international education.

  This year’s survey is expected to be conducted with over 600 education agents and close to 5000 students. 

  This large sample offers a deep dive into the Brazilian international education market, indicating new trends, important decision factors for students, and highly rated education destinations.

  The survey is open now and will close on 29 February. You can share it with students and alumni by sharing this link.

  The results will be announced and shared with providers on 23 April.

• Japan and New Zealand build on bilateral education ties with new Memorandum of Understanding

  It comes off the back of the Japanese Government’s continued work on their internationalisation policy, where international education plays a key role. It’s especially crucial for Ichihara this year, as the city gears up to act as one of 15 host towns for New Zealand (and other nations) during the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  New Zealand is uniquely positioned to assist Japan with its internationalisation efforts, especially with English language learning.

  In November 2018, ENZ Senior Market Manager – Japan, Misa Kitaoka, called on Mayor Koide to discuss the opportunity for a new outbound programme to New Zealand. The initiative – translated as ‘Youth Overseas Study Abroad Assistance Project’ – is currently underway as a legacy project. After the Tokyo Olympics and Paralymics, the city is planning to send school students from Ichihara City to New Zealand starting 2021.

  In conjunction with the new outbound study programme to New Zealand, Ichihara City is keen to expand its partnership with New Zealand by signing an agreement with ENZ for wider cooperation to promote education exchange between the two countries.

  “It’s exciting to see New Zealand and Japan not only solidify the education relationship we already have, but open it up to different kinds of collaboration down the line,” ENZ General Manager – International, Lisa Futschek, says.

  “That’s where we get innovative education programmes developed for our students, like the popular English PLUS and Game On English initiatives.”

  As New Zealand's third largest student source country, Japan remains an important focus market for both ENZ and New Zealand institutions.

  As an underpinning to our student attraction objectives, our relationship is deepened through sister-city relationships, and outbound mobility initiatives such as the Prime Minister's Scholarships for Asia, and New Zealanders taking part in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme.

• English New Zealand’s new Accredited Pathway Assessment opens up cross-sector collaboration

  Bridge International College, Kaplan International Languages and Languages International are now able to offer the Accredited Pathway Assessment (APA).

  Although there are already agreements between individual English New Zealand schools and universities, the APA puts in place a structure for acceptance of proficiency across all of the universities, English New Zealand executive director Kim Renner says.

  “This will enable greater collaboration between English Language schools and the universities,” Renner says. “With inevitable changes coming for the export education industry due to COVID-19, seamless pathways into further study and close collaboration will become more important than ever before.”

  In Australia, the rate of students who transitioned to further study is significant – according to a report released by the Australian government in January, 54 percent of English language students go on to attend an Australian university or vocational training provider. Anecdotally, we know the rate in New Zealand is much lower. There is room for New Zealand to encourage more of the 20,000 plus students who study at unfunded English language schools in New Zealand to make much more of pathway opportunities.

  Accredited schools will use the APA to attract those students who are interested in studying at a New Zealand university, but may not meet the current English Language standards.

  The APA is also a way that English Language schools can prepare students for New Zealand’s academic teaching style.

  “The assessment is built into a school’s teaching – it’s not a one-off test,” Renner says. “Key goals are to increase cross-sector collaboration and provide a great student experience.”

  This announcement is a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by English New Zealand and Universities New Zealand in June last year. The APA is only available to English New Zealand member schools.

• Registrations open: NZ Vocational Education and Training Research Forum

  The NZ Vocational Education and Training Research Forum (NZVETRF) is a multi-sector opportunity for discussing ‘what works’ in vocational education. In 2020, the forum will be delivered fully online, including international keynotes, and a curated programme of breakout sessions, along with interest based ‘hangouts’ and expert sessions.

  The new partnership with Skills International extends the reach of the forum to an international network, to learn from and contribute to global developments in VET to support the COVID-19 recovery efforts.

  CEO of The Skills Organisation, Garry Fissenden, says vocational education and training will be a critical component of the response to the employment, economic, and social shocks caused by COVID-19 around the world. He says:

  “With New Zealand’s vocational education sector embarking on a major reform, now more than ever is a time to come together to share evidence and capability of how vocational education and training can support skills and productivity, and wider wellbeing.”

  For more details, head to the NZVETRF website.

• NZ-Japan Education ties stronger following digital ceremony

  Together in an online ceremony with the Hokkaido Board of Education, ENZ strengthened the existing partnership between Hokkaido and New Zealand this week.

  The agreement promotes collaborative opportunities in education through shared interests, including indigenous culture, primary industries and rugby. Areas of collaboration outlined in the agreement are student exchanges between high schools in New Zealand and Hokkaido, and the exchange of information on efforts to develop human resources which improves the educational environment and teaching methodology.

  Continuing to build our international government-to-government relationships with agreements like this one is a current focus of ENZ, as part of the second stream of the Recovery Plan for international education.

  The signing brought together Superintendent of the Hokkaido Board of Education, Toshihiro Kodama, and ENZ’s Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, and was witnessed by New Zealand’s Ambassador to Japan, Hamish Cooper.

  ENZ Senior Market Manager – Japan, Misa Kitaoka, was online to facilitate, translating between parties. “Despite the ongoing challenges of COVID, this online signing still managed to convey a celebratory atmosphere with ENZ’s waiata and the Hokkaido students’ taiko performance. The timing of the partnership could not be better after Japan’s successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Japanese Government’s official recognition of Ainu as the indigenous people of Japan, all of which will open new doors for education cooperation with Hokkaido and Japan.”

  “While we wait for the border to reopen, we look forward to starting with online activities connecting Hokkaido and New Zealand schools,” she said.

  Grant McPherson was delighted for ENZ to be hosting the signing ceremony that further strengthens the existing partnership between New Zealand and the Hokkaido Board of Education.

  “I am especially appreciative of how committed New Zealand and Japan both remain to building our education relationship given the exceptionally challenging year that we have had.”

  McPherson said that as everyone adapts to a new environment amid the global pandemic, it was important to think differently about the future being created. “It’s in this new context that we look forward to working together on our education cooperation arrangement. It is a significant milestone for Education New Zealand and one that will strengthen the partnership agreement between our governments.”

  Since 2014, ENZ has facilitated opportunities for Hokkaido’s students and farmers to study in New Zealand on dairy scholarships, giving them the opportunity to experience one of our primary industry sectors first-hand.

• From the CE: The outlook for the future

  Many of you are wondering – and fielding a lot of questions – about the outlook for the future as COVID-19 continues to disrupt the world.

  It’s very important to acknowledge that COVID-19 is an unprecedented event in our lifetime. While there have been crises, disasters, wars and terrorist attacks, none have had the scale, impact or complexity of this global pandemic. There is little certainty as the world navigates its way through this and looks to the development of effective vaccines to counter its impact.

  As New Zealand’s Director-General of Health advises, COVID-19 is a very tricky virus and we have to be very vigilant. The Government is continuing to take a balanced approach to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone in New Zealand and to carefully manage demand on the country’s quarantine facilities. We aren’t out of the woods yet and can’t be complacent.

  Like many other countries, New Zealand’s border restrictions remain in place. The Government is granting entry to small, targeted cohorts by exception only, and only these visas are being processed. Students are not able to apply for a student visa from outside New Zealand, unless a border exception applies. This decision will be reviewed in February 2021.

  Last month we saw the Government recognise the vital role international education will play in the recovery and rebuild of New Zealand and the need to continue the fight against the pandemic. The Minister of Education announced that the Government would allow a small cohort of up to 250 postgraduate (mostly PhD) students into New Zealand. These are students whose study has been interrupted by COVID-19 and who have a practical research component to their study that requires them to be here. Providers are currently selecting these students and they are expected to enter New Zealand earlier next year.

  We acknowledge that this exception applies to a fraction of the number of students we normally welcome to the country. Some students and providers may be disappointed not to have been a part of this first border exception group.

  The Government says it will review further possible border exceptions to enable more cohorts to enter the country, as and when the time is right, and to then build up numbers when it’s safe for all to do so. But no further decisions around cohorts have been made at this stage.

  So, given this information, we won’t see normal numbers of students entering the country in time for term one or semester one next year. I suggest that tertiary students consider starting or continuing their New Zealand study online, until there is more certainty on border exceptions. Students and their families are advised to keep in close contact with their agent or study provider.

  But throughout this uncertainty, I can assure you that New Zealand highly values international students and looks forward to their return. Until then, the team at Education New Zealand will continue to tell you as much as we can about the situation here, as soon as we can.

  Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

  My strength is not that of a single warrior but that of many.

  Ngā mihi,

  Grant McPherson

• Teaching the teachers

  The School Influencers Workshop series focuses on new ideas in Early Childhood Education, English Language teaching and educational management and leadership. Originally planned to be delivered in-person, this is the first time the course will be held online.

  Members of the UC College of Education, Health and Human Development will deliver the online courses to more than 100 education practitioners and administrators alongside in-market organisations Teach for Indonesia and Teach for the Philippines.

  UC Associate Dean (International), Dr Stuart Wise, said “The College of Education, Health and Development at the University of Canterbury is delighted to support this initiative sponsored by Education New Zealand. We are very keen to support our colleagues at Teach for Indonesia and Teach for Philippines are looking forward to the opportunity to engage with course participants and share some of our expertise with them.”

  The professional development of teachers has been a key part of ENZ’s South East Asia engagement strategy since 2016.

  “The School Influencers Workshop series gives teachers and administrators a taste of New Zealand’s top-quality education by offering an insight into our hands-on teaching methodologies and contact with top academics,” ENZ Market Manager Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines, Desiree Lee, said.

  “Teachers, counsellors and school leaders remain a key group of influencers in a student’s study journey. They are an important group which ENZ will continue to engage as the international education sector recovers from COVID-19.”

  Read the UC story on the Schools Influencers Workshop series

• A word from the Minister

  It has been, and continues to be, an extremely challenging time for many of New Zealand’s universities, schools, polytechnics and institutes of technology, as well as private providers and English language schools with our border closed.

  But I think we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I anticipate we will have a further 12-18 months of disruption before we see a future where much of that will start to fade. The recent news of promising vaccines against COVID-19 is very encouraging. It’s difficult to share an exact timeline with you all as we need to consider vaccination around the rest of the world and international supply chains.

  Over the next 12 months, I expect to see a series of progressive changes. That could look like a risk tolerance map of the world for countries that we have safe travel zones with, or for countries we have lower isolation requirements for when they arrive, for example.

  While we are looking to move as quickly as possible on the border, it is very unlikely that there will be one magic day where we cut a ribbon at the airport and all travellers will be welcomed in.

  We have made a start and granted an exemption for a cohort of 250 postgraduate (largely PhD) students to enter New Zealand from early next year to continue their study. And we’ll consider further cohorts in the future, based on capacity.

  This government will continue to support the sector through our Recovery Plan for international education.

  The recent New Zealand Global Pathways initiative that New Zealand universities, ENZ and NCUK have entered into is a very welcome development. It’s the first time that ENZ and all the universities have been involved in such a partnership. It’s encouraging and it’s the sort of innovation that we are looking for during this period of difficulty.

  International education has been good for New Zealand – not just economically, but culturally and socially too. I look forward to waving the flag for New Zealand internationally and at home too. New Zealand has such an incredible, high-value education to offer to the rest of the world.

  Meri Kirihimete,

  Chris Hipkins

  Minister of Education

• ENZ confirms 2021 Recognised Agencies

  Education agents play a crucial role in New Zealand's international education ecosystem, including supporting students and their families during COVID-19.

  ENZ’s recognised agent (ENZRA) programme aims to increase engagement with quality education agencies that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to promoting New Zealand as an international study destination.

  More than ever, ENZ Recognised Agencies contribute to a unique and high-quality student experience and to the positioning, market share and overall achievement of New Zealand within the international education sector.

  To acknowledge the impacts of COVID-19 on agents and their inability to place students with education providers in New Zealand, all current Recognised Agencies were provided an opportunity to extend their time in the programme subject to meeting conduct requirements.

  The new list of ENZ Recognised Agencies is now available to view online on our StudywithNewZealand website. For queries regarding education agents, please email: agenthelp@enz.govt.nz.

  The next round of applications to the programme will open in early 2022.