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34 Vietnamese students awarded New Zealand Schools Scholarships as programme reaches record demand
Of the 34 recipients, 27 were awarded NZSS scholarships and seven received funding directly from participating New Zealand schools. Since launching in 2019, the NZSS programme has supported more than 100 Vietnamese students from Years 8-10 to study in New Zealand, reinforcing education ties between the two countries.
Scholarships for 2026 are spread across schools in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū, Nelson-Tasman, Northland, and Whanganui, offering international students from Viet Nam access to high-quality education across diverse regions.
The latest intake follows strong demand for the programme in Viet Nam. From 90 applications, 57 were fully eligible, resulting in 34 scholarships awarded.
New Zealand Consul-General Scott James said the programme reflects the strength of the bilateral relationship.
“Education has always been a cornerstone of the partnership between New Zealand and Viet Nam. We are proud to see successive generations of talented Vietnamese students embark on their education journeys at New Zealand’s high-quality secondary schools through the NZSS programme,” James said.
NZSS alumni and parents of past scholarship recipients share first-hand insights on studying and living in New Zealand, offering valuable guidance to future students.
ENZ’s Market Manager - Viet Nam, Van Banh, said the demand for New Zealand education among Vietnamese students continues to rise.
“In 2025, approximately 2,200 Vietnamese international students were enrolled in New Zealand, representing a 14 percent increase from the previous year. Secondary education remains a key pathway to study in New Zealand, reflecting the strong trust Vietnamese families place in New Zealand’s education system.”
Promotion of the 2026 round of the NZSS reached record levels. The campaign engaged 55 approved education agents, with webinars attracting up to 141 participants per session. Digital and media activity generated 29 media clippings, more than 3 million reach on social media, and over 61,000 website clicks.
The NZSS website also recorded 43,138 visits between January and March 2026, nearly double the same period in 2025. Direct outreach activities connected with 300 prospective students.
Applications are now open for the second NZSS intake for 2026, running from 15 June to 14 August. The next round will offer 29 scholarships, alongside additional awards funded by participating schools, with unsuccessful NZSS applicants still considered for school-based scholarships.
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Japanese education agents experience New Zealand’s school education offering firsthand
Delivered in partnership between Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, Auckland Educated, Christchurch Educated and SIEBA, the visit highlights the value of a joined-up, sector-wide approach to offshore recruitment.
Building connections through collaboration
The programme builds on a 2025 initiative where 16 Auckland schools travelled to Japan to develop relationships with education agents and schools. Inviting those agents to New Zealand enabled them to experience local schools, teaching environments and student life firsthand.
The agents visited 12 secondary schools and one primary school in Auckland over five days, meeting international directors, exploring campus environments, and experiencing local attractions.
Several agents said the visit reshaped their perceptions of Auckland, with firsthand experience of its expansive school campuses and green spaces highlighting a learning environment that supports both academics and outdoor activity.
In addition to visiting Auckland Grammar, Botany Downs Secondary College, Gulf Harbour School, Massey High School, Mount Albert Grammar, Mount Roskill Grammar, One Tree Hill College, Rosehill College, Sacred Heart College, St Mary’s College, St Peter’s College, Waitākere College and Waiuku College, the group of agents also had the opportunity to enjoy New Zealand’s unique lifestyle and hospitality, with local beaches, tourist sites and hospitality sector across Auckland over five days.
Extending reach beyond major centres
The group then travelled to Christchurch to attend the SIEBA Hui Agent Forum, providing exposure to over 100 schools and a broader view of education opportunities across regions.
Christchurch Educated also facilitated connections with local schools (Burnside High School, Cashmere High School, Craighead Diocesan School, Middleton Grange School, and Rolleston College) and hosted a briefing session with international directors, further strengthening sector relationships.
They also valued the opportunity to engage with a wider range of regions, deepening their understanding of education options beyond major cities.
Supporting future growth
ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager, Japan, Takako Tominaga, said an additional positive development was Air New Zealand’s recent announcement of direct flights between Narita and Christchurch that will begin in November.
“This is a great development that will further strengthen future promotion opportunities for Christchurch and the South Island in the Japanese market,” Takako said.
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Matariki mā Puanga: Connecting people through learning
For many iwi, Matariki is a time to remember people who have died, celebrate the present, and look to the future with hope. For others, Puanga marks the season. Together, they show the depth and diversity of Māori knowledge and traditions.
Matariki and Puanga are special to Aotearoa New Zealand, but the stars also connect us with people around the world. The same star cluster is known as Subaru in Japan, Makaliʻi in Hawaiʻi, Mataliʻi in parts of the Pacific, and the Pleiades or Seven Sisters elsewhere. For many cultures it is linked to renewal, connection, and our relationship with the natural world.
Across our international markets, these connections continue to be celebrated. From Matariki events hosted by New Zealand embassies and partners to conversations about similar cultural traditions in countries such as Japan, India, Korea and Thailand, Matariki provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships and share stories about renewal, community and learning.
These shared values reflect the purpose of international education. Every learner who chooses Aotearoa New Zealand begins more than an academic journey. They get to know our people, places and unique bicultural identity. They also enrich our communities by sharing their own cultures, languages and perspectives. Education is a two-way exchange that builds understanding, strengthens relationships and creates lasting connections.
For Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, this is the spirit of Matariki mā Puanga. Our role is not only to connect students with study opportunities. It is also to connect people, cultures and communities. Whether we celebrate in Aotearoa New Zealand or with partners overseas, we share a uniquely New Zealand story that people from many cultures can connect with.
As we celebrate Matariki mā Puanga, we are reminded that cultures may tell different stories about the stars, but many share the same hopes: to learn, to belong, to care for one another, and to build a better future together.
Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga — let us celebrate Matariki and Puanga, embracing the connections that unite us across cultures, communities and the world.
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Update from Immigration New Zealand – July 2026
Student visa processing – reminder to apply early
New Zealand continues to be a popular destination for international students, with INZ receiving around 20 percent more student visa applications so far in 2026 than during the same period last year.
The higher volume of applications, together with an increase in complex applications, means some may take longer to process.
Despite consistent messaging, INZ have also seen an increase in late applications with many applications submitted only one month before a student’s intended study start date.
Key reminders for students
Apply for a Student Visa at least 3 months before intended travel dates.
Submit a complete application with all required supporting documents.
Respond quickly if INZ requests additional information.
Check current visa wait times when planning applications and travel arrangements.
Students who apply close to their programme start date risk not having their visa decided in time.
If a student is concerned their visa may not be approved before their intended start date, they should speak to their education provider and discuss contingency arrangements.
INZ will continue to monitor application volumes and provide updates where needed.
For more information on wait times and student visa processing, visit the Immigration New Zealand website:
Student visa processing update – midyear intake and reminder to apply early
Improvements to the Pathway Student Visa
The Government has made changes to the Pathway Student Visa, giving international students greater flexibility in their study plans.
The changes provide more flexibility for secondary school students, support a wider range of lower-level study pathways, and allow more time for English language study.
For more information on the changes to the Pathway Student Visa, visit the Immigration New Zealand website: Improvements to the Pathway Student Visa.
Police certificates required upfront for student and temporary visas
Immigration New Zealand requires police certificates to be submitted at the time of application for student visas and other temporary visas.
Applications will generally be assessed based on the information provided at lodgement. If a police certificate is missing, the application may be declined. INZ will not usually contact applicants to request a missing police certificate.
What this means for students
Only apply once they have all required documents ready, including their police certificate.
Check police certificate processing times as these can vary between countries.
Applicants from Fiji, Hong Kong and Israel can continue to provide proof they have applied for a police certificate, as these certificates are sent directly to INZ by the issuing authority.
For more information about police certificates and the application process from within and outside of New Zealand, visit the Immigration New Zealand website: Police certificates required upfront for student and temporary visas.
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2026 sector survey results
Thank you to everyone who took part in our 2026 sector survey.
The survey found that 82 percent of active providers agree that Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) makes a positive contribution to their organisation, reinforcing the important role international education providers place on our work.
We heard that providers particularly value our international presence, market expertise, connections and support in offshore markets. Strategic advice, market intelligence, and support to enter new markets were identified as areas where ENZ adds significant value, alongside our ability to connect providers with agents, partners, and governments.
The survey also highlighted opportunities for us to strengthen how we support the sector. Feedback indicated providers would like earlier visibility of upcoming events and activities, clearer information about ENZ services and support, and approaches that better reflect the different needs of subsectors.
We’re committed to listening to sector feedback and using it to inform our work. In response, we will:
- provide more timely access to data and market intelligence, including greater visibility of how priority markets are identified
- publish our programme of events and experiences on the ENZ website at least six months in advance
- make it easier to access information about relevant activities, opportunities and intelligence through more targeted subsector communications
- provide clearer information about services and support
- provide access to the Global Brand Platform toolkit along with guidance and support to help subsectors use it in ways that align with their audiences and objectives.
The survey captures feedback on ENZ services and support delivered over the past 12 months and is sent to education providers who have engaged with ENZ during that period. Reponses were received from providers across all subsectors, including schools, English language schools, private training establishments, institutes of technology and polytechnics and universities.
Thank you again to everyone who shared their feedback. It helps us better understand what is working well, where we can improve, and how we can continue to support a strong and sustainable education sector.
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Getting social with Loay Al Shareef
Loay profiles English-language destinations via Snapchat (30-50k views per video), Twitter (80k+ followers) and his YouTube channel Fallimha (600k subscribers).
He came here under ENZ’s Visiting Media Familiarisation Programme, and as part of a broader #yoursummerinNZ English-language campaign in Saudi Arabia.
Heidi Stedman, Communications Lead hosted the visit in her penultimate week at ENZ, with Sahinde Pala, Regional Programme Manager, taking up the reins for the Auckland leg.
Together with Loay and videographer Glen, they visited Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown to meet with Saudi students, sample local food and activities, and profile education options.
Loay's visit, with the #yoursummerinNZ campaign, successfully delivered. Together they generated an extra 13,000 Twitter followers for @nzeducationsa during the three-week campaign, prompted 8,600 tweets, and received more than 3,100 entries in a competition to study English in New Zealand.
English-language providers also reported enrolments coming directly from ENZ’s Twitter account during the campaign.
I met Loay for dinner with six Saudi students on his last night in Auckland,” said Peter Bull, ENZ General Manager - International.
“He talked endlessly about New Zealand, and how impressed he was with the education he'd seen.
“He connected really well with the students, and they reinforced for him how good their own New Zealand experience was.
“Ours was a story he clearly enjoyed telling.”
Above: Loay with Peter Bull
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Agent Activity Fund in Colombia takes off
The event was organised by Colombian agency Go Study, Work and Travel and supported by ENZ’s Colombia team, via their Agent Activity Fund. In this inaugural round of the Fund, Colombian agencies were invited to “let their imaginations fly” in proposing ways to promote New Zealand and increase Colombian student numbers to New Zealand.
Five agencies were awarded NZ$2,000 each, with Go Study, Work and Travel's information session being the first cab off the rank.
As an incentive, all participants at the information session went into the draw to receive two 12-week, English-language scholarships donated by EDENZ and New Zealand Language Centres.
The lucky scholarship winners were announced at the event.
A guest speaker at the session was Colombian blogger Maggi Mora who studied English in New Zealand last summer via an English New Zealand International Education Growth Fund project, and raved about her experiences here.
“This was a clear example of the benefits of different agencies working together,” says Lisa Futschek, ENZ Regional Director Americas and Europe.
“An offshore agent, NZ institutions, a former student and ENZ all working together to promote New Zealand is a powerful thing.”
Javiera Visedo, ENZ Market Development Manager in Colombia, says upcoming projects funded by the Agent Activity Fund will focus on promotional activities using social media.
“It was great to see so many agents interested in partnering with us and submitting projects for consideration.
We would like to increase the fund next year because running it for the first time in 2016 has resulted in great exposure for New Zealand.”
Note: If you’re interested in promoting your region to Colombian agents, then check out the ‘Networking starts at home’ story for an opportunity to meet with Colombian (and other) agents in Wellington on Friday 27 May. -
Pathway visa pilot update
That is, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test (or equivalent test) must be submitted by students who:
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intend to undertake a study pathway that begins with an English language course leading to a programme of study at levels 5 to 8 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, and
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are from a country that has an annual decline rate of more than 20 per cent for student visa applications.
These students must demonstrate that they only need an improvement of an IELTS 0.5 band score (or equivalent) to gain entry to their intended level 5 – 8 course. For example, if a level 5 course has an English language entry requirement of IELTS 5.0, an IELTS test (or equivalent) must be submitted with a student’s application with a minimum overall band score of 4.5.
The English language course must also be completed within a 16 week period.
Students from countries with a visa approval rate of above 80 percent no longer need to demonstrate IELTS levels.
Find out more here.
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Chile announces 500 more ‘penguins’
In the last edition of International Education News we reported that Chile’s Economy, Development and Tourism Minister, Pablo Longueira, had announced that the pilot scheme for the ‘Penguins without Borders’ scholarship programme that brought 40 Chilean students to New Zealand in January, would be widened to 100 for terms three and four of this year.
Things have progressed since then, with Minister Longueira announcing during his current visit to New Zealand that 500 more ‘penguins’ (so called, due to their distinctive black and white uniforms) are coming to New Zealand. The first group of 250 ‘penguins’ arrives in July to live and study in towns and cities around New Zealand for two semesters. A further 250 will arrive in January 2014.
New Zealand was the only country chosen to pilot the scholarship programme, but this announcement may help secure New Zealand’s place as a regular destination for these high-achieving students. -
EdTech conference a great success
Education New Zealand (ENZ) supported the conference, alongside Learning Media and Grow Wellington, as part of ENZ’s wider strategy to build the capacity, capability and scaleability of the international education export industry.
ENZ sees a vibrant and successful EdTech sector as critical to the success of New Zealand’s educational offerings, domestically and offshore.
ENZ Education Business Development Manager Melonie Pitkin says “One of our key goals for the conference was providing an opportunity for a sector to begin to self identify and find opportunities to make business connections that might not ordinarily occur as part of business as usual.
“On that front we would certainly view this inaugural conference as successful. We're pleased that it was so well attended and well received. We're looking forward to feedback from participants that will help inform and shape how Education New Zealand can work with the EdTech sector.”
The EdTech for Export website will become a hub for EdTech news and information. Videos and slides for some keynote speakers and breakout sessions have been posted on the site.
