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ENZ boosts education agent capability through successful workshops in Viet Nam
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) delivered two education agent capability workshops in Viet Nam in partnership with education providers.
The workshops, held in Ha Noi on 21 January and Ho Chi Minh City on 23 January were delivered in partnership with Lincoln University, Massey University, Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS), eight LightPath New Zealand Schools, and Navitas (University of Canterbury International College and University of Waikato College).
The invitation-only workshops were offered to 40 key education agents recommended by New Zealand education providers and those actively engaged with ENZ’s activities.
The events were opened by the New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam, Caroline Beresford in Ha Noi, and New Zealand Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Scott James, in Ho Chi Minh City. ENZ’s Regional Director – Asia (excluding China), Ben Burrowes, attended both events virtually.
In addition to institutional updates, the workshops featured external speakers who shared insights on New Zealand’s workforce landscape and digital marketing trends for education.
ENZ’s Market Manager – Viet Nam, Van Banh said the workshops reinforced ENZ’s focus on strengthening education agent capability and supporting the sustainable growth of New Zealand’s international education sector.
“It was valuable to hear from agents that the demand for study in New Zealand remains moderate to strong, with master’s, undergraduate and school programmes identified as top priorities, and business, health and medicine, and education emerging as the most in-demand fields.
“Agents also highlighted the need for more scholarships, clearer job pathways, and continued marketing support, while rating ENZ’s in-market support positively.
“These are all good insights to have for Viet Nam – it helps us better target and promote New Zealand’s education offering to prospective students,” Van said.
ENZ also incorporated interactive activities such as social media challenges and team-based minigames into the workshop programme that helped drive further engagement with the programme and encouraged agents to visit education provider booths.
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From the Chief Executive: Momentum building for a strong 2026
Kia ora koutou,
It’s a pleasure to be back as Acting Chief Executive at Education New Zealand to build on the leadership of Amanda Malu.
Delivering on the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan is our key focus in 2026. Internally, our annual market planning process is underway. This work helps us decide where to focus our efforts – ensuring we are doing the right thing in the right places at the right time.
An essential part of the market planning is to incorporate insights from the sector and Government agencies. Our sincere appreciation for the insights we have received so far.
The team is getting ready to lead the first ever Sri Lanka Roadshow featuring 19 New Zealand education institutions from 5 to 8 March that aims to strengthen the awareness of the New Zealand education brand and promote our undergraduate offering in the country. You can read more about our integrated promotional campaign in Sri Lanka in this edition of E-News.
Applications remain open for the 2026 funding round of the New Zealand-China Tripartite Partnership Fund, ENZ’s long-standing initiative supporting partnerships between New Zealand and Chinese universities. This year’s round encourages proposals that highlight pathways for student mobility and transnational education alongside research collaboration.
This month, as many of our partners and communities usher in the Lunar New Year, I want to extend warm wishes for a prosperous and energising Year of the Horse. This is an important time across several of our key markets, and a reminder of the strong cultural and people-to-people connections that underpin international education.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we continue to deliver on our shared ambitions for international education in 2026.
Okea ururoatia
Keep striving forward.
Ngā mihi nui,
Linda Sissons
Acting Chief Executive -
Ministerial visit reinforces higher education and research partnerships with India
New Zealand has advanced its strategic objectives for international education through a high-level ministerial visit to India, reinforcing higher education, research and innovation partnerships with one of New Zealand’s priority markets.
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) supported Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Hon Dr Shane Reti’s visit to New Delhi in February.
The visit had Minister Reti attending the AI Impact Summit and engaging with senior government, academic and innovation leaders, and highlighted education’s role in strengthening bilateral relationships and supporting New Zealand’s long-term economic and research ambitions.
The programme also included a bilateral meeting with India’s Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, providing an opportunity to share higher education reforms, discuss ambitions under the refreshed New Zealand-India Education Cooperation Arrangement.
A key focus was Minister Reti’s visit to the New Zealand Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), a flagship joint initiative established in 2020 by all eight New Zealand universities in partnership with IIT Delhi. The Centre provides a platform for joint research, academic exchange and long-term collaboration, particularly in science and technology.
During the visit, discussions focused on the next phase of engagement under the New Zealand Centre, with proposed collaboration areas including medical technology, energy, environment and climate.
The IIT Delhi visit was also an opportunity to demonstrate impact of experiential learning and joint research with students from New Zealand universities (also recipients of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia) presenting innovative projects developed alongside IIT Delhi students.
Hon. Dr Shane Reti (centre) and New Zealand high Commissioner to India, Patrick Rata (third from right) with the Education New Zealand and IIT Delhi International Office teams during their visit to IIT Delhi
ENZ Director of Engagement – India, Jugnu Roy said the visit strongly aligned with New Zealand’s international education priorities.
“India is a critical partner for New Zealand’s future in education, research and innovation,” Jugnu said.
“This visit showcased the strength of our university-to-university collaboration and reinforced how platforms such as the New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi can deliver meaningful outcomes for both countries.
“By strengthening institutional partnerships, supporting student pathways and deepening research collaboration, this engagement positions New Zealand as a trusted, long-term education partner for India.”
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Around the world in five
GLOBAL
Gulf study interest falls 30% as conflict reshapes student demand
Global student demand for universities in the Gulf is falling fast, with a recent report showing a steep drop in March 2026 compared to growth seen since late 2025, as the conflict reshapes perceptions of stability and choice.
SOUTH AMERICA
There is significant demand in Mexico for study abroad, and Mexicans are considering a wider range of destinations than in the past
CHINA
US no longer a top-three destination for China’s students
The United States continues to lose its long-held appeal among Chinese prospective international students, a new report by a major study abroad consultancy has found.
UK
The Home Office has circulated draft guidance with additional detail on more stringent sponsor compliance requirements for UK universities.
GLOBAL
What the Iran-Israel war could mean for students who depend on ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude
The Iran-Israel war may seem far away, but its effects are increasingly felt close to home. A way that we – and especially students — might be feeling the impacts of warfare, though, is with AI.
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Introducing Adrian Hirst, ENZ’s new Regional Director – India and South Asia
Can you tell us about your professional background including your current role at ENZ and the work you did prior to joining ENZ?
Growing up in the United Kingdom (Yorkshire stock) I graduated with a Law degree and combined Music major.
After a short time working in London’s financial district, I moved to New Zealand and built my career to date across strategy, analytics, marketing and business development within the telecommunications (before Telecom became Spark) and fast-moving consumer goods industries.
Prior to ENZ, I held several senior positions within Lion New Zealand, building some well-recognised beverage brands and was responsible for the growth agenda of numerous international partnerships. In addition to their high investment developing their people, the significant benefit during this time was my exposure to world class approaches in business strategy, brand marketing and innovation.
What are your thoughts on your time with ENZ so far?
There’s a real energy within ENZ and a strong appetite to seize the growth opportunity for New Zealand’s international education profile and reputation. Through my involvement in the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan and shaping key priorities, I’ve had the chance to work closely with the sector and see our shared ambition firsthand.
What stands out is the depth of expertise and belief within ENZ, alongside growing alignment with partners and the momentum from education agents and counsellors across all markets. As we strengthen teams and embed a more integrated approach, I’m certain that we’ll continue to deliver measurable results with greater pace, focus and confidence.
What opportunities and challenges do you see for our sector in India and South Asia?
We have a clear aspiration to accelerate growth and better convert the demand from this region through a more focused approach to activity and placement. We need to build true brand reputation and preference, and the value of a New Zealand education must be recognised beyond those current periods when our competitor destinations are less attractive.
With a strong education offering and clear value proposition, we are well placed to attract high-quality students. Additionally, with ENZ’s new global brand platform, greater brand cohesion and stronger collaboration across NZ Inc agencies is key to maximising our impact.
Outside of work, what do you like to do?
I’ve had a musical upbringing through classical and jazz and still play while now also supporting behind the scenes. I find it hard to pass the piano at home without sitting down – a habit I’m pleased my two daughters have adopted. I’m also an explorer and active relaxer so I enjoy throwing on the trainers and getting out into new areas or planning the next big adventure.
With Adrian moving to New Delhi, India, ENZ is pleased to confirm that Ben Burrowes will take on the role of Regional Director – North and Southeast Asia from early June. Ben will remain based in Singapore. -
From the Acting Chief Executive: Continuing our work together
Kia ora koutou,
As I pass the rākau to Chief Executive David Downs, I want to share that it has been an absolute privilege to support the sector through this important period, and to work alongside you as we continue to rebuild and position New Zealand for sustainable growth as envisioned in the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan to 2034.
New Zealand’s global position continues to strengthen. Our growing engagement in key markets is opening up new opportunities for collaboration, student mobility, and long-term partnerships. These efforts are reinforced by coordinated work across Government agencies, all supporting the Going for Growth strategy.
We are also seeing tangible progress in support areas that will make a real difference for providers. The new Schools Support Function, announced at the recent SIEBA Hui, for example, will provide practical, on-the-ground support to help schools build capability and grow their international programmes. This is a significant step in strengthening the schooling sector and ensuring more parts of the system can participate in international education.
Work is also well underway to finalise ENZ’s 2026–27 Go-to-Market Plans, providing a clear focus for the year ahead and helping target our efforts where they will have the greatest impact. What stands out to me most is the momentum we are building together. From market activity and partnerships to provider support, there is a clear sense that the sector is not just recovering but repositioning for the future.
I would like to thank you – our education providers, peak bodies, and partners across Government and industry – for the commitment, collaboration, and resilience you continue to show. It has been a privilege to work alongside you as ENZ’s Acting Chief Executive.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini
My success is not mine alone, but the success of many.
Ngā mihi nui,
Linda Sissons
Acting Chief Executive -
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.
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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.
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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:
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Better supporting providers to develop effective relationships with quality agents
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Making available a publicly searchable database of agents who have completed our online training
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Our work in better recognising the market differences between countries and sectors
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Supporting agents by continuing to make available New Zealand promotional materials
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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.
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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.
