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• Prime Minister's Scholarship shakes up geology student's plans

  Soltice Morrison was only 15 when that earthquake happened, but she is part of a new generation of students and researchers wanting to equip themselves with the latest knowledge and technology to better understand New Zealand’s vulnerability to quakes. The best way to achieve this is through international collaboration with other countries which face the same risks.

  Having already completed a BSc in Geology and Oceanography from Otago University, Rotorua-born Soltice secured a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia during her Honours year in 2018, which allowed her to enrol in a post-graduate short course in geology at Hokkaido University in Japan and stay on to complete most of her Honours research.

  Prime Minister’s Scholarship allowed joint research

  Under the guidance of her supervisor, Dr Virginia Toy, she was involved in a project which studied the characteristics and behaviours of New Zealand’s Alpine Fault and Japan’s Median Tectonic Line to better understand what causes earthquakes in both countries.

  "We’re both very seismically active countries but Japan is much more advanced in its use of technology. We were able to bring some of that knowledge back to New Zealand."

  Soltice says that without the funding she received through the Prime Minister’s Scholarship (PMS), she would not have been able to study abroad.

  The scholarship programme to Asia was established in 2013 and extended to Latin America in 2016. To date, 2400 students have been given financial support to study abroad. While currently on hold due to Covid travel restrictions, the programme is poised to restart once borders reopen.

  Importance of New Zealanders studying abroad

  Funded by the government and administered by Education New Zealand, the programme recognizes the importance of giving New Zealanders the opportunity to have an international education experience in countries where we have key trade and business relationships.

  There are few restrictions on study options, with the programme having broad goals to enhance understanding of other cultures and business practices; establish new friendships and networks; and upskill the New Zealand workforce through overseas experience.

  “It’s very important to connect with students and colleagues internationally in order to get ahead,” says Soltice. “We can get caught up thinking that the New Zealand way is the only way. Studying overseas helps you broaden your horizons, your knowledge, your understanding of different cultures, and the way things can be done.”

  In geophysics, Soltice says international collaboration is essential.

  “We’re able to learn a lot from Japan and the advances they have made in technology and monitoring.”

  The time Soltice spent in Japan ended up taking her career in a new direction. “While I was there, I was able to understand the effects of seismic activity on buildings and how we can strengthen our cities to ensure they’re resilient, so I’ve ended up in the engineering space working for Aurecon.”

  But her work also has an environmental focus and she is currently part of the multi-disciplinary team working on the Lakes 380 project, which seeks to combine best scientific thinking with mātauranga Māori (traditional wisdom and knowledge) to better understand the social, cultural, and environmental history of Aotearoa’s lakes. “It’s rewarding work and I love it.”

  Reawakening of cultural identity

  Soltice says her time in Japan prompted a reawakening of her own cultural identity. “I had always tried to blend in at home, but the questions I was asked about my background while I was away made me realise I was proud of my Māori ethnicity and also taught me the value of indigenous knowledge.”

  Building on this confidence, she has set up a Māori strategy group with colleagues at Aurecon “looking at ways we can weave cultural understanding with scientific knowledge into the work we do.”

  Soltice says she made life-long friends during her time in Japan and built a valuable network of contacts. “I work closely with the geophysicists here at Aurecon and sometimes when we have questions, I will reach out to my contacts offshore.”

  Three years on, she remains a passionate advocate for Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme. “The overall experience – the research, the culture, the living situation, I would 100 percent say it was one of the best times of my life.”

  Students value flexibility, networks, and personal growth

  The positivity of Soltice’s experience was echoed by other scholarship recipients in a recent survey conducted by Education New Zealand. Close to 300 students participated, with 98 percent saying they would recommend PMS to others. Benefits they identified included the unique flexibility of the programme, the networks they built, the opportunity for personal and professional growth, and the chance to better understand New Zealand’s place in the world.

  As for life after the programme, 57 percent said they would become involved in global causes, 50 percent would become involved in political or policy issues, and 44 percent would become involved in their local community or iwi.

• Student visas moving to enhanced Immigration Online

  From 18 August 2025, all international student visa applications will move to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. For education agents submitting applications on behalf of international students around this timeframe, here are important updates on how applications will be managed during this transition –  

  • All applications submitted on or before 17 August will be processed under the old system 

  • Draft applications that have not been submitted by 17 August have until 17 September to be completed and submitted. 

  • International students should still aim to apply 3 months ahead of their intended travel date regardless of the change in Immigration New Zealand’s application forms. This will help to avoid delays that may impact students’ ability to begin study.   

  To help you prepare, Immigration New Zealand has developed this video explaining the new process: Guidance on the new Student Visa application form. 

  If you have questions, please submit using this form: https://forms.office.com/r/DkHAk36fiw by 1 August, Friday 6pm NZDT. 

  Responses will be uploaded onto https://agentlab.enz.govt.nz/inz-faq-topics/ on 18 August. 

  Important to note: Immigration New Zealand will do its best to answer submitted questions but may not be able to respond to all of them. Questions that will be resolved by viewing/using the new Student Visa application form on 18 August will not be answered. 

• 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. 

   

   

• New Zealand education featured at leading India events

  ENZ Team India flew the flag for New Zealand at the IC3 Annual Conference & Exhibition 2025 in Mumbai and the G2 Gen Next Higher Education Summit in Bengaluru.  

  Both events are recognised as cornerstone platforms in India’s education calendar, drawing senior decision-makers and influencers from across South Asia. 

  At the IC3 Annual Conference, which welcomed over 1000 school leaders, career counsellors, and education providers, ENZ’s booth attracted significant engagement from a wide range of attendees. 

  

  ENZ Market Development Manager Bhupinder Kaur engaging with high school counsellors at the IC3 ENZ booth.

  The booth served as a central hub for sharing New Zealand’s education story, distributing tailored resources, and building meaningful connections with high school counsellors.  

  

  University of Auckland Director International, Martin Hookham-Simms, representing New Zealand at the session on Destination Alignment at IC3 Conference.

  New Zealand’s quality offering was further profiled in a breakout session on the topic ‘Destination Alignment: A Best-Fit Framework for UK, US & New Zealand.  

  University of Auckland Director International, Martin Hookham Simms, represented New Zealand in the session, speaking alongside University of Southampton Executive Director – India Implementation, David Winstanley and Rice University Deputy Director of Admission, Jessica Griffith.  

  The discussion highlighted emerging student preferences for the UK, US, and New Zealand, offering a practical breakdown of how to assess each destination using key criteria such as academic fit, affordability, career opportunities, and cultural context. Drawing on first-hand insights from senior university leaders, the session equipped attendees with actionable tools to help students make confident, informed, and best-fit decisions. 

  

  ENZ Director of Engagement East Asia & India, Jugnu Roy, representing ENZ at the g2 Conference by Gen Next Education during the Country Spotlight session.

  Over to the g2 Gen Next Summit, ENZ led a dedicated Country Spotlight session to highlight New Zealand’s world-class education system and demonstrate its relevance to India’s evolving education priorities.  

  The g2 Gen Next Summit is known for facilitating high-impact dialogue between high schools and global universities, making it a valuable space for ENZ to promote New Zealand's educational identity and grow partnerships. 

  

  ENZ Team India with high school counsellors at the g2 Experience 2025 in Bengaluru.

  ENZ also hosted a targeted roundtable with high school counsellors, providing a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s holistic and future-ready study environment, and reinforcing pathways for Indian students. 

  Director of Engagement, Jugnu Roy, said the events provided a great platform to demonstrate New Zealand’s unique strengths in education.  

  “Through our presence at IC3 and the Country Spotlight session at g2, we were able to strengthen relationships with influential school counsellors, share up-to-date resources, and highlight New Zealand’s academic strengths, inclusive values, and commitment to student wellbeing,” she said. 

  “This direct engagement supports our long-term strategy in India to position New Zealand as a preferred international study destination,” Jugnu added. 

• Tools

  ENZ has five sets of tools to assist with international marketing: IntelliLab, Skills Lab, Brand Lab, Agent Lab and the Study with New Zealand website.

  Institutions and agents will find everything they need to tell a consistent story about New Zealand’s quality education system and its unique benefits.

  NauMai NZ is the official government website for international students who are already in New Zealand or have chosen to study with New Zealand. The site, managed by ENZ, is kept regularly updated with practical information, tips, and advice for living in New Zealand - all in plain English.

• Agent engagement

  Education agencies are a crucial part of the promotion and attraction of international students to New Zealand and play an important role in students’ New Zealand education experience.

  ENZ has tools to assist quality education agencies in promoting New Zealand as an international study destination.

  Watch the video below to learn more. 

  YouTube

  Got a question? Email us at agenthelp@enz.govt.nz

• How IEGF helped BIOZONE

  Considering applying for IEGF support? E-News caught up with IEGF recipient, Richard Allan, CEO of BIOZONE, at last year’s Edtech for Export conference in Wellington and found out how the co-funding grant helped them grow their business.

  ENZ: What is BIOZONE?

  BIOZONE International is a publishing house that specialises in the production of student and teacher resources for use in high school science programmes (grades 9-12) in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.  We also provide editions that are tailored to other international programmes, and BIOZONE books have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Polish, and Slovenian, as well as specific English-language editions compiled for Italy. BIOZONE’s goal is to improve science education performance in schools across the world.

  We produce a hybrid that’s part textbook, part study guide and part activity workbook all rolled into one. We use an infographic style of presenting information, with annotated diagrammatic explanations that have a lot of added value.  Our programme and pedagogical approach requires learners to apply what they’ve learned in a previous activity to a new situation, not merely recall data. It’s an enquiry-based approach.

  I was a biology teacher for 11 years before I became a publisher, so I have a pretty good idea of what’s required for teachers and students to succeed in the classroom environment. 

  ENZ: What has IEGF funding enabled you to do?

  We’ve been successful in two IEGF rounds – one in 2014 and one in 2015. The first lot of funding enabled us to market our new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) series in the US before other publishers got up to speed. The NGSS provides students with internationally-benchmarked science education.

  Being nimble and innovative is key to our success, and the grant meant we could significantly ramp up the number of state and national science teachers’ conferences we could attend. To give you an idea of the demand – at one conference in Los Angeles in December 2014 I had over 200 teachers trying to cram into a room that only had the capacity to hold 100 people, to hear my presentation.  They were sitting on the floor and around the edges of the room. That’s not untypical of what happened at other events, so we were obviously in the right place at the right time with the right product.

  ENZ: And the second grant?

  The second grant helped us enhance and improve our digital platform, and get it ready for commercial release. It made a huge difference in the timing of the launch and accelerated our development. 

  ENZ: How’s business going?

  It’s been hugely successful in our markets that, so far, include New Zealand, Australia, the US, and the UK.

  The opportunity for BIOZONE in the US is with the NGSS. One of our customers is Stuyvesant High School in New York City.  It’s a very prestigious school, with 34,000 kids competing for 850 places, and they bought our entire programme, which is a huge accolade from them. 

  We also won the ‘Best Supplemental Resource’ award for science, for the whole of US, at the education publishers’ ‘Content in Context’ conference in 2015 which was pretty cool. 

  ENZ: Do you have any words of advice for educators new to working in the edtech space?

  I think we should encourage our teachers to embrace education technology and provide them with the ability to upskill so they can use the tools. Many schools are already technologically savvy and are hungry for new ways of delivering curriculum using smart tools. 

  For educational publishers the digital landscape is evolving rapidly, not only with new opportunities and competitor activity, but also in the way teachers are wanting to engage with digital delivery of content.

• Consultation next step for agent programme

  Thanks to those in the international education sector who contributed their time and expertise to this review.

  Findings recommend change

  The findings make it clear that, while there are some positives, there does need to be change.  The programme is not performing well for our stakeholders or for ENZ in our drive to grow, support and promote a quality international education industry for New Zealand.

  The report recommends a number of potential areas for ENZ to consider regarding agents, including:

  • Better supporting providers to develop effective relationships with quality agents

  • Making available a publicly searchable database of agents who have completed our online training

  • Our work in better recognising the market differences between countries and sectors

  • Supporting agents by continuing to make available New Zealand promotional materials

  • Strengthening the rigour, scope and quality of online training, including more information on relevant New Zealand laws and regulations

  Consultation is the next step

  ENZ’s next step is to consult broadly, including with institutions, agents and government agencies about the future of ENZ’s work around agents.  We understand that changes we have made to agent programmes in the past have been disruptive for agents and providers.  As such, our thorough consultation will ensure any future solutions are effective, workable and sustainable, and supported. Our engagement will start shortly and, depending on what we hear, decisions are most likely in the second half of this year.

  The ENZRA programme remains on hold 

  As we have shared already, while the consultation is underway we will not be progressing any current ENZRA agent applications or accepting any new ENZRA agent applications.  During the consultation phase, there will be no change for agents with current ENZRA status.

  We appreciate this may be frustrating for some but believe it is preferable to pause while we ensure any potential changes are carefully considered and well-supported.

  Please note agents are able to assist students to enrol with New Zealand education providers regardless of whether they have ENZRA status or have completed the Trained Agent online programme.

  Communication 

  We’ll stay in touch and keep you updated as the consultation unfolds.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with your contact at Education New Zealand.

• Student visa approval rates available

  The list of approval rates for student visas is updated every year by Immigration New Zealand and relates to the change to Rule 18 of the Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules, which was implemented in October 2015. Only relevant student visa categories are counted to produce this list, which covers offshore student visa applications only.

  The rule change brought in to effect different programme entry requirements for international students from countries with a student visa approval rate below 80 per cent. English language entry requirements for international students from countries with a student visa approval rate of 80 percent or above remained the same.

  Organisations have until 2 March 2016 to reflect the updated approval rates. 

• Stephen Fleming Live Facebook campaign launched in India

  The aim is to increase the traffic to our India Facebook page as well as building a large database of potential international students.
  
  The Stephen Fleming Live campaign leverages Fleming’s superstar status in India, with potential international students “liking” our India Facebook page, answering a few questions and uploading their photograph into a virtual First XI team photo.
  
  Eleven lucky winners in each of five cities (55 people) across India will get to meet with Fleming’s at an exclusive, closed door, question and answer session in their chosen city.
  
  All entrants will receive a ‘personalised’ photograph of themselves and Stephen to re-post onto their own Facebook page to ‘share’ with their friends.
  
  We’d then like to develop a relationship with them through a post-competition event-driven marketing campaign.
  
  The first two meet and greet events with Fleming were based around Education New Zealand Fairs in Cochin and Pune earlier this month. Further meet and greets will be held in Chennai, Mumbai, Hydrabad, Bangalore and Pune again.
  
  The promotion includes a video for Pune with Fleming talking about studying in New Zealand.