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ENZ seeks Expressions of Interest to grow the Thai schools’ sector
In 2023, enrolments from Thailand were the fifth largest for New Zealand’s schools with most enrolments coming from students living in Bangkok. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is now looking to grow this market by collaborating with New Zealand schools and regional Thai education agents to build partnerships with schools in cities outside the capital city (referred to as ‘second tier’ cities).
The initiative, called the Thailand Second Tier City Promotion is planned to run in 2025-2026. ENZ is currently seeking feedback from New Zealand schools to measure interest in participating in the promotion and is running a survey until Tuesday 30 October 2024 for interested schools.
Collaborative school clusters are invited to participate in the initiative which will form sister school partnerships with regional Thai schools. Each cluster should consist of at least three schools.
Through these partnerships, a wide range of study options for Thai students and schools will be available. This may include short-term 4-week school immersion programmes, 1 to 2 terms or full year study programmes, teacher trainings, virtual interaction, online curriculum-based collaborative projects etc.
ENZ’s Acting General Manager - International, Mr Ben Burrowes, said that over the years New Zealand has built a very strong reputation as a high-quality education destination particularly amongst students from Bangkok. He says that this helped the market rebound significantly post-Covid.
“With the international education market in Bangkok now highly saturated, ENZ sees this promotion as a good opportunity to help schools reach an untapped market in regions across Thailand.
“Through working with high performing regional education agencies and in collaboration with New Zealand schools, our initiative aims to support the development of sister school partnerships in each province,” said Ben.
“This is a strategic move to raise the profile of New Zealand’s school sector and grow interests from a new pool of prospective students and their parents,” added Ben.
If your school is interested in exploring this opportunity, please fill out this survey by Tuesday 30 October to help us match your interest with our upcoming initiative. Additional information can be found in this document. If you have any questions, you can email these through to NZ’s Market Manager – Philippines & Thailand, Chortip Pramoolpol Chortip.Pramoolpol@enz.govt.nz.
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Update from Immigration New Zealand
Peak processing season in full swing
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has seen an increase in applications submitted during September 2024, ahead of the 1 October visa fee and levy increase and because of our ‘apply early’ messaging.
In September 2023, approximately 3,104 international student visa applications were submitted and in September 2024, approximately 6,893 international student visa applications have been submitted, an increase of 122%.
Now that we are in our peak processing period, we expect these processing times to grow as we receive a higher volume of applications. Students should get their visa application in at least 3 months before they plan to travel to New Zealand for the first semester of 2025.
By now, most students should have received an offer of place from their chosen education provider. Anyone expecting to study in the first term of 2025 should apply now.
We acknowledge that some students who are waiting on key study documentation are unable to apply 3 months ahead. In these cases, they should apply as soon as they have all of their documents, but they need to be aware that late applications may not be processed in time for them to start studying.
Immigration New Zealand has three student processing sites in New Zealand, and has allocated more staff to processing student visas, compared to last year’s peak.
Ensure you submit a complete applicationTo avoid delays, we encourage students, agents and advisers to follow the advice in our student visa information sheets. If they do not include all the required documents when they submit their application, it may be declined.
Applications that have a statement of purpose letter written by the student, telling us about their personal circumstances and plans in New Zealand, help us assess their intent. If a student intends to apply for another visa after study, they should declare this. Students are allowed to apply for another visa after they finish studying.
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New Zealand-China Early Childhood Education Symposium to be hosted in New Zealand for the first time
The fifth annual New Zealand-China Early Childhood Education Symposium – themed around digital transformation in early childhood education – is set to take place at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch on 3 December.
This is the first time that the symposium will be hosted in New Zealand.
A 31-strong delegation from China across 21 universities, schools, kindergartens and government agencies will attend the event.
Co-organised by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange (CCIPE) of the China Ministry of Education and UC, the symposium will see at least 25 presenters and 80 attendees from New Zealand and China present on a range of topics related to digital transformation in early childhood education. Audiences in New Zealand and China will also attend the symposium virtually.
Broad topics this year include emerging opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in teachers’ work in early childhood education, the use of digital technologies for early childhood education assessment, and digital transformation for communication and collaboration with families.
The event aims to foster academic exchanges and cooperation in early childhood education between New Zealand and China.
In June, during the visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Education Minister Huai Jinpeng to New Zealand, UC signed a partnership agreement with the CCIPE at the New Zealand-China High-level Education Forum in Auckland. UC is also a current New Zealand-China Tripartite Partnership Programme recipient with two Chinese partners, Shanghai Normal University and Qufu Normal University, around early childhood education.
ENZ Acting General Manager International Ben Burrowes said the symposium highlights the long and fruitful bilateral engagement between New Zealand and China across a number of education areas.
“I am delighted to have New Zealand host the event for the first time. We have seen the symposium grow and go from strength to strength over the last five years and nurture relationships between our early childhood education providers.
“I look forward to hearing from presenters across the education landscape in both our countries sharing insights on digital transformation in early childhood education,” Burrowes said.
The University of Canterbury is honored to be the first tertiary institution in New Zealand to host the symposium, says Professor Joce Nuttall, Executive Dean of UC’s Faculty of Education Te Kaupeka Ako.
“As a university committed to future-focused education and the creation of meaningful local and global impact, the symposium is an invaluable opportunity for UC to engage in discussions with peers across New Zealand and China on the future of early childhood education between our two countries.”
Since 2020, the New Zealand-China Education Symposium has explored a rich range of themes and inspirational presentations on early childhood education, including exploring best practice for developing high-quality early childhood education teachers, and sustainable development in early childhood education and care.
For further information:
Justin Barnett | Director of Communications, Education New Zealand
+64 21 875 132
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New Zealand universities continue to top world sustainability rankings
The 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability were released yesterday, highlighting that New Zealand’s universities continue to lead the way when it comes to environmental, social and governance sustainability. The rankings by QS Quacquarelli Symonds are in their third year and measure an institution’s ability to tackle the world’s greatest sustainability challenges.
New Zealand came out top country overall based on the average score of our universities for Environmental Impact and Governance, in addition to the Equality and Environmental Education lenses (among countries with at least eight universities ranked). This is good news for universities as they look to attract students to their campuses especially as QS Destination: Australia and New Zealand report 2024, found that 63% of students interested in studying in New Zealand say environmental sustainability was very or extremely important.
Ben Sowter, QS Vice President, said: “New Zealand’s higher education sector has long been a world leader in sustainability and this year’s results show yet again that the country punches above its weight, surpassing many of its international competitors.
“However, this year’s results also show that universities in other countries are improving their sustainability efforts, with New Zealand’s institutions advised to enhance their offers in areas of governance, employability and outcomes and health and wellbeing.”
The 2025 rankings showcase over 1,740 universities from 107 countries and territories. This reflects significant growth from last year’s rankings which included 1,397 institutions across 95 locations and more than 1,000 institutions since the inaugural rankings in 2022.
Jessica Turner, CEO of QS said that “The QS Sustainability Rankings provide a critical benchmarking tool for universities to evaluate their progress across areas such as knowledge exchange, equality, environmental impact, and governance. As more institutions engage with this framework, the increasing competitiveness of the ranking reflects the growing commitment globally to advancing sustainability in higher education.”
The full rankings can be found on the QS website here: QS World University Rankings: Sustainability.*
QS Quacquarelli Symonds
QS Quacquarelli Symonds is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector, whose mission is to empower motivated people anywhere in the world to fulfil their potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development.
The QS World University Rankings portfolio, inaugurated in 2004, is the world’s most popular source of comparative data about university performance.
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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 -
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.
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Message from Amanda Malu, Chief Executive
Tēnā tātou katoa,
We have been deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of Kyle Whorrall, an international student from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland over this Easter weekend.
Kyle moved to New Zealand in 2021 from the United States as an international PhD student studying entomology in the university’s School of Biological Sciences.
He is fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues as a gentle, kind soul and a dedicated entomologist who was a rising young scientist in his field.
Our thoughts and aroha remain with Kyle’s whānau and friends in the United States and New Zealand, and the wider community at the University of Auckland and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research at this trying time.
Ngā mihi nui,
Amanda Malu
Chief Executive
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
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New video series: Discover the inspiring journeys of New Zealand alumni
The series showcases the journeys of New Zealand alumni from across the world, highlighting the diverse paths they have taken since graduation.
Three videos have been released so far, with the remaining set to be released through the rest of this year.
Each video offers a glimpse into the personal and professional achievements of former students who have made their mark across various industries and communities.
Alumni from all levels of New Zealand’s education offering will be featured – ranging from schools to universities and vocational education providers.
These stories are designed to inspire prospective students and their families to consider New Zealand as their study destination of choice.
You can view and download the alumni videos and photos on The ENZ BrandLab. Search ‘Alumni’ to see the latest stories.
In addition, the series is supported by a new alumni blog story each month on the Study with New Zealand website and a dedicated page for Alumni stories.
Check out the series so far
Meet Yao – classical musician and cultural bridgebuilderOur first story features Chen Xiyao, a Chinese-born guzheng player and classical musician now based in Beijing. Although he earned a degree in Business Administration, it was in New Zealand where his love of music truly flourished—thanks to the support of an inspiring high school teacher. He went on to earn a Master of Arts (with Distinction) from Wintec.
From playing in a metal band to performing with Māori musicians and even entertaining former Prime Minister John Key, Yao's journey reflects the unique opportunities and cultural exchange that a New Zealand education can offer.
Today, he teaches music for Wintec in China, continuing to share his passion and talent with others.
From New Zealand to New Delhi: Suvan’s Inspirational Culinary JourneySuvan Kitchlue began his Bachelor of Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu Wellington in 2015, graduating in 2018.
Inspired by MasterChef Australia in India, he chose the school for its rare offering of a culinary arts degree at that time. He thrived in the programme, calling it the “Harvard of culinary education.”
After graduating, Suvan opened a European café in New Delhi, aiming to bring refined technique and quality baked goods to a market he felt was underserved. Inspired by Wellington’s coffee culture, he also focused on elevating his café’s coffee offerings to New Delhi.
He plans to open two more café locations, and a fine-dining restaurant.
Devika Hartono: Alumni storyDevika was born in Indonesia and moved to New Zealand in 2016 on a scholarship to study Biotechnology at The University of Waikato.
Passionate about biology since high school, she sought scholarships to expand her opportunities beyond medical school or teaching. A photo of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes sparked her interest, and she was thrilled to receive both the University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship and the High Achievement Scholarship for International Students.
After graduating, she launched Keyoura, a skincare brand inspired by the Māori greeting "Kia ora."
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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.”
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New Zealand providers show global leadership at NAFSA 2025
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), alongside representatives from eight tertiary providers wrapped up a high-impact week at the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference in San Diego at the end of May.
Under the conference theme ‘People, Place and Partnership,’ New Zealand’s delegation was in amongst over the 8,000+ global education leaders, strengthening institutional ties and driving new collaboration opportunities.
Representatives from the University of Auckland connecting with conference delegates in the New Zealand pavillion.
The New Zealand pavilion comprised of University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, University of Waikato, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, University of Otago and Whitecliffe College.
ENZ Chief Executive, Amanda Malu, said being present at the world’s largest international education conference is not just about visibility—it’s about leadership.
“New Zealand’s education providers have a unique perspective to offer the global education community, and NAFSA is where those voices can shape conversations, forge partnerships, and spark ideas that transcend borders,” she said.
ENZ worked with NAFSA to host two sessions in the New Zealand pavilion. Both sessions were well attended, sparking discussions among conference delegates about reimagining higher education.
The University of Waikato panel session. From L to R: ENZ Director of Engagement, DuBois Jennings; Unviersity of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, Dr. Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai; University of Waikato Associate Director Global Experiences, Jaydene Meadows and ENZ Acting Regional Director, Natalie Lulia.
The first session moderated by ENZ Director of Engagement North America, DuBois Jennings, featured a panel discussion titled ‘Te Ao Hurihuri Indigenous Internationalisation: Perspectives from Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato – The University of Waikato’. The session explored the concept of indigenous internationalisation, focusing on the unique approaches and programmes delivered at The University of Waikato. On the panel was Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori Dr. Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, Associate Director, Global Experiences Jaydene Meadows from the University of Waikato, and ENZ Acting Regional Director, Natalie Lulia.
Associate Director of Global Experiences Jaydene Meadows said the outcomes for the University of Waikato well surpassed previous years at the conference.
“This year was significant for us, deepening the roots of current relationships, while promoting new programme offerings and working to develop new business opportunities.”
The University of Otago presented the second session titled 'Indigenising our university’s name and brandmark: Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago'. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Engagement Professor Jessica Palmer and Manager, Indigenous Internationalisation, Karamea Pēwhairangi reflected on a year since the global launch of their new brandmark, the journey to being gifted a Māori name, and how the University of Otago includes indigeneity in the University’s Internationalisation Strategy.
ENZ Acting Regional Director Natalie Lulia said both sessions showcased New Zealand’s unique approach to education that integrates indigenous knowledge, and she looks forward to building on the momentum of the conference.
“NAFSA certainly set the ball rolling for increased student mobility, enhanced research linkages, and stronger people-to-people connections between New Zealand and our international partners,” she said.
