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• Tauranga welcomes over 770 international students

  Anne Young, Regional Manager of Education Tauranga, said it has run a welcome ceremony for new international students for many years but due to space restrictions of venues, this has previously only included a select group of 200 participants.

  “This year we wanted to include all students to show the whole Bay of Plenty community how large our international student cohort is. We secured a large convention space (850 seats) and invited all of our new students to the welcome!”

  The new students, who range from five years old to tertiary students in their twenties, and represent 25 countries, were treated to dance and musical performances from Indian, Chinese and Korean cultural groups, as well as a rousing kapa haka performance from Tauranga Intermediate’s Te Whanau o Te Maro.

  A number of speakers were also on hand to welcome them, including a representative from Immigration New Zealand and Mayor of Tauranga city, Greg Brownless. Mayor Brownless shared his own personal connection with the international community through his Taiwanese wife and children, and said it was great to see so many students from different countries in the region.

  “You help bring the world to our doorstep, you teach our Kiwi students about your life, your country and your culture. This is so important as we grow the values of global citizenship amongst our community,” he said.

  Anne said it was a very important event for the region.

  “We not only want to ensure our international students feel welcome as they embark on their study journey but also showcase the many people across many organisations within our region who are here to support them and ensure that they have a positive experience here.”

  It can be particularly daunting for primary school families to send young students overseas for school, so Education Tauranga runs a special welcome tour for them.

  Held over two days, children and their parents were treated to a powhiri, complete with a chance to mingle over morning tea. They then had a taste of Kiwi cultural activities such as visits to local sites, eating fish ‘n chips and lessons in harakeke (flax weaving).

  “It was clear that the international families were impressed – they were smiling and snapping photos to share with family back home,” said Anne.

  

   

  

• From the CE: A transitional phase

  First of all, a big thank you to everyone. Your insight and problem-solving on so many urgent matters, including student wellbeing and repatriation, has been invaluable.

  I’d like to reflect quickly on how we’ve worked together so far. Our activities together represent just a beginning on the long road ahead. Within ENZ, we have: 

  • Created and administered the International Student Hardship Fund, which has allocated $1m to 105 providers and community organisations, assisting approximately 11,000 students. 
  • Created the Future Focused Programme and invested $1.2 million of reallocated government funds into the future of the industry to encourage innovation. 
  • Stood up cross-organisation teams within ENZ to focus on student wellbeing and support the repatriation of school-aged students. 
  • Communicated and engaged intensively with peak bodies, education providers, agents and in-market partners. 
  • Invested in NauMai NZ and increased our communications to students within New Zealand 
  • Continued to maintain visibility of New Zealand as a high quality study destination, and 
  • We’re continuing to work closely with other agencies, who have optimised policy settings to cushion the sector from the impacts of COVID-19 as far as possible.

  Of course, a crucial step of the international education sector will be bringing in students.

  International students remain a priority group in the government’s planning for any managed border entry agreements. We’re looking forward to welcoming international students into New Zealand again, but we need to make sure we do so in a way that is safe for everyone.

  There are many details to be worked through, including practical quarantine and self-isolation arrangements, monitoring processes, and how the costs can be shared by those arriving.

  As a result of this complexity, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins has advised our sector leaders that international students will not be returning to New Zealand in July and August this year. He hopes that we will be able to safely welcome small groups of students by the end of the year and begin building up towards 2021.

  We need to have and retain public confidence in the managed border re-entry process, before we welcome cohorts of students to New Zealand.

  Finally, our work towards a sector recovery strategy continues and I look forward to sharing more with you this July.

  He waka eke noa (we’re all in this together).

  Ngā mihi,

  Grant McPherson

  Chief Executive

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao

• GP practice for international students

  Caring Clinic is focused on meeting the needs of international students and migrants from Asia, providing services in Cantonese and Mandarin as well as English, and offers innovative services including Skype consultations after hours and e-prescriptions.

  The new clinic has been welcomed by the Auckland Agency Group (AAG), a cross-agency collaboration of central and local government agencies formed to lead communication with international student groups, ethnic communities and providers in Auckland. 

  Hayley Shields, ENZ’s Director of Student Experience and Chair of AAG, said the new clinic reflects the shift to make support services more attuned to students’ cultural needs.

  “More than 60 per cent of international student enrolments are in Auckland, and it’s important for students to be able to access culturally appropriate healthcare services.

  “This is one of the key objectives in the New Zealand International Student Wellbeing Strategy.”

  Dr Jessie Liu and Dr Ruoh Sim, the two principal doctors at Caring Clinic, came to New Zealand as teenagers and both studied medicine at Otago University.  

• A new home for international students

  After extensive refurbishment, the Ellen Melville Centre and redesigned Freyberg Place in the heart of the city have re-opened to the public in September 2017.

  The combined facility offers an open air public space for relaxing and enjoying the sunshine, as well as an indoor community centre with an exciting new range of programmes and activities – many of them free of charge.

  The Auckland Agency Group (AAG), a cross-agency collaboration of central and local government agencies set up to improve international student wellbeing in Auckland, welcomes the new space and format. 

  Hayley Shields, ENZ’s Director of Student Experience and Chair of AAG, said the location of the new community centre makes it an ideal spot for international students to meet locals and other students.

  “An estimated 20,000 international students reside in the CBD and want to be part of the local community.

  “The centre will be a great place where international students can converge, meet and make new friends and feel part of the community.”

  Formerly known as Pioneer Women’s and Ellen Melville Hall, the new Ellen Melville Centre has five diverse spaces that can be booked for meetings, private functions, exhibitions, films, concerts and performances.

  Individuals, and arts, cultural and community groups interested in providing programmes at the centre are encouraged to make contact on this link.

• New Zealand – Korea digital student exchange

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) again worked in partnership with two education organisations in South Korea – Gangwon International Education Institute and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education – as well as with NZ-based Learn English Live, to deliver the programme. 

  The programme offers opportunities for Korean 12–14-year-olds, and for New Zealand students, many from low-decile schools, to develop their language skills and engage in cross-cultural relationships with their international peers. This is done through Zoom sessions using quizzes and other interactive activities, where students can share aspects of their life. Facilitated, student-led discussions in small groups are another key feature of the programme. 

  In all, 654 students from 12 New Zealand schools and 16 South Korean schools participated in the programme, attending sessions once a week for seven weeks – 102 sessions in total. 

  Students who participated in the programme represented the following schools across New Zealand: 

  Sylvia Park School, Rotorua Intermediate, Raumati Beach School, Finlayson Park School, Tauranga Boys College, Taupo Intermediate, Cambridge High School, Waimea Intermediate, Tokoroa Intermediate, Solway College, Rowandale Intermediate, Auckland Grammar.  

  Each school assigned at least one of their classes to take part in this programme, with teachers recommending the initiative to their colleagues for future sessions.  

  Within the Seoul and Gangwon regions in South Korea the following schools took part:  

  Seoul Schools: Dongguk Middle School, Wonmyoung Elementary School, Nonhyun Elementary School, Sinseo Middle School, Soongeui Elementary School, Topsan Elementary School, Gajaeul Elementary School, Seoul Kyodong Elementary School, Hansan Elementary School, Seoul Anpyeong Elementary School, Singa Elementary School, Buksung Elementary School, Songwon Elementary School.  

  Gangwon Schools: Gangreung Haeram Middle School Buron Middle School Namchuncheon Girls' Middle School.  

  A total of 339 children from South Korea were digitally connected with children in New Zealand. 

  The 2022 programme has provided many positive benefits for schools, teachers, children, and the wider community both in New Zealand and South Korea. In a world where in-person exchange and cultural opportunities remain constrained, the programme has continued to enable school children to connect with their international peers and develop long-term connections.  

  Feedback from teachers in New Zealand highlighted the enthusiasm that children in the classroom showed towards the programme.  

  The incorporation of a hybrid STEM-based and cultural-based exchange model was especially welcomed and enabled the promotion of unique aspects of Māori culture, in a modern format, on the international education stage.  

  New Zealand teachers also gave the programme the thumbs up. Given their high workloads, they appreciated that they did not have to organise the content or facilitate the sessions, as this was taken care of by the Learn English Live (LEL) team.  

  The programme provided the opportunity to indirectly promote a New Zealand school education to a South Korean audience. Students there were reported to be highly engaged throughout the exchange. The ENZ team will give a presentation on the programme at the Australia International Education Conference (AIEC) in October 2022: The session will explain the programme evaluation and survey methodology and how the results are being used by ENZ and LEL to continue to enhance the digital exchange to benefit students. The presenters will also discuss how they overcame challenges relating to language barriers, as one of the main goals of the exchange is to support Korean students with learning and practising English. 

  Contacts for more information 

  New Zealand representatives attending AIEC can attend the ENZ session or contact our South Korea team to receive a copy of the presentation slides after the conference (Alanna Dick).  

  Know of a New Zealand school interested in the next round of NZ-Korea digital student exchange? Please contact Learn English Live (William Clarke).

• From the CE: Keeping the focus on NZ

  Kia ora koutou, 

  It’s July and in New Zealand the middle of winter. Halfway through the year it’s a good time to reflect on how far we have come in a rapid six months. My first reflection is that it is great to have international students back in our communities, lecture theatres and classrooms. Since the borders reopened, we’ve seen good volumes of student visa applications, and those applications are reflected in steady growth in enrolments. While some parts of sector are doing better than others, the big picture is that learners are considering and choosing New Zealand as the place to come for a quality international education.  

  Having travelled to India, the US and Canada, and most recently China, alongside sector representatives, we should not underestimate how important this awareness and preference is. International education is hugely competitive. Competitors like Singapore and Ireland are not sitting still and we, collectively, need to keep New Zealand in front of the high-value students we want to attract. 

  In my opinion, the Prime Minister’s visit to China did just that. Education was a significant part of the itinerary and its importance as part of the bilateral relationship was mentioned in almost every engagement with the Government of China. The Prime Minister delivered an address at Peking University, and he had the opportunity to meet with alumni in a more informal environment. We also saw excellent coverage of the visit in key China media. China is an important partner market for New Zealand, and this was a very successful visit. A word of thanks to everyone involved in its organisation, the sector members of the delegation who travelled and everyone who participated. I know it was a mammoth task. 

  Another reflection I have is how pleasing it is to see young New Zealanders getting out into the world again as Prime Minister’s scholars. Reciprocity, as I am reminded when I am in market, is an important part of international education. Around 171 New Zealanders from 14 groups will travel to Asia and Latin America over the next year as part of the most recent Group round and the second round of individual scholarships will open next week. 

  As we look to what lies ahead, the theme of next month’s NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE KI TUA, Te Ara Ki Tua The pathway forward, will provide an immediate opportunity to focus on our future. Thanks in advance to the sector leaders who are speaking or running workshops in what looks to be a compelling programme at our 30th conference. KI TUA is our annual opportunity to get together as one and to listen, learn, discuss and importantly, network. Globally, we are a small participant and to build on the good start of the past six months we must continue to move forward together. I encourage you to attend and I look forward to meeting and talking with many of you in a few weeks. 

  Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, Ki te kapuia e kore e whati  

  Alone we can be broken. Standing together, we are invincible

  Ngā mihi nui,

  Grant McPherson

• New Zealand commended for inclusivity and humanity at APAIE

  A New Zealand delegation featuring all eight universities attended APAIE 2019 as part of a planned strategy to build New Zealand’s presence ahead of the 2021 conference which will be hosted in Auckland.

  The 2019 conference, themed “Diversity and inclusivity in higher education”, attracted more than 2,500 delegates between 25-29 March.

  Discussions centred around the role that international education could play to enable disparate cultures and communities to embrace diversity and difference.

  This theme had particular resonance in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack, and New Zealand’s response earned high praise from University of Oxford-educated Her Majesty The Permaisuri (Queen Consort) of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris. (Johor is a state in the south of the Malay Peninsula and shares maritime borders with Singapore and Indonesia.)

  In her opening address of the conference, Raja Zarith Sofiah said: “While we at this conference speak about diversity and inclusivity as part of academic discussions and presentations, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and all New Zealanders, from students to biker groups, have shown what inclusivity truly means when it is more than just words and promises, but are acts of great kindness, acceptance and humanity.
  
  “Indeed, the way that the schools and universities there showed their respect and empathy prove – beyond mere words – that the breadth and depth of diversity and inclusivity transcends all levels, giving everyone equal opportunities at being heard and being understood,” said Her Majesty.

  New Zealand’s 2021 conference theme is “Innovation for sustainable futures” and will focus on building links between APAIE and universities in the South Pacific region.

  With 2,500 – 3,000 delegates and at least 300 exhibition booths, it is expected to be the largest international education event to be held in New Zealand to date. It will be held in Auckland at the New Zealand International Conference Centre (NZICC), which is currently under construction.

  “Over the next couple of years, ENZ will work with the New Zealand sector to build our presence at the APAIE conference British Columbia in 2020, so that the 2021 conference delivers for our education providers and showcases the best of our international education sector to the world” said Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive.

• Grow your business with the Skills Lab

  At the heart of the Skills Lab is project-based learning. These projects are designed to give you top tips and advice that you can consume in bite-size pieces. The Skills Lab also allows you to post your own comments and share your top tips so we can develop a professional community.

  Collaboration at the heart

  The Skills Lab was born of industry feedback. In the 2015 Industry Survey, you expressed a desire for more professional development support, and in particular asked for online support in order for you to access content at a time and location that suits you.

  We’ve since co-developed the Skills Lab with multiple groups of industry representatives, having taken into account your advice on the structure and features of the website, as well as on key content areas. We’re already working on a range of refinements that you’ve suggested, including on individual projects and website functionality.

  Helping grow your business

  The Skills Lab is already proving useful. Robbie Pickford, International Director of Takapuna Grammar School, told The PIE News at the New Zealand International Education Conference that the Skills Lab helped her institution learn about new markets.

  “I’ve been in the industry for a long time and there hasn’t been that go-to place that I could get intel about the market, the country or the culture. The Skills Lab also encourages industry collaboration, with users able to upload their own information and expertise. There’ll be more and more information available for the sector. It keeps us growing and thinking towards the future,” Pickford said.

  Kirstyn Mawdsley, Director International of St Hilda’s Collegiate School, also told The PIE News that the Skills Lab would be of particular benefit to New Zealand’s regional and smaller providers.

  “We don’t have the same budget available as bigger programmes, and often we’re working in very small departments. Trying to keep up to date with everything and find professional development opportunities is quite complicated. The Skills Lab helps with that and also alleviates the distance barrier,” she said.

  

  Content examples from the Skills Lab

  But wait, there’s more!

  The current version of the Skills Lab is just the beginning.  We’ll continue to roll out new content, so stay tuned for more case studies and international education-specific content over the coming months. We’re planning more detailed and useful projects that will help you in your specific organisational context.

  We’ll also be partnering with individual industry experts to bring you case studies and projects based on their successes. If you have suggestions on content, or would like to offer some of your expertise and contribute to a case study or project, please email us at skillslab@enz.govt.nz.

  Sign up and participate

  You can access the Skills Lab at skillslab.enz.govt.nz or from the ENZ website.

  Make sure you watch the introductory video to learn how you can use this exciting new tool.

  Note that only approved New Zealand education providers are able to access the Skills Lab and its content.

  If you are experiencing any difficulty in signing up to the Skills Lab, please email skillslab@enz.govt.nz.

• Updated UIP system gives better user experience

  The UIP system is an automated data collection system that will collect individual learner and provider data from UIPs. These providers are private training establishments that enrol international students and do not receive government funding.

  Additional improvements were made to make the system more user-friendly. This work was completed on 1 May 2018 in time for submission of trimester 1 data this year. The updated UIP system is easier to use and features a new online portal - an additional option for providers to submit data.

  The UIP system is a cross-agency project by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Education New Zealand and will help provide a more comprehensive picture of international student enrolments for this sector. Over time, this information will also help improve market analysis and inform decisions to support the international education industry. 

  Tour groups or group study tour operators will submit aggregate data through the Tour Group portal, which is also now live.

  More information about the UIP system including the data requirements, the options to submit data and the Tour Group portal can be found at the STEO website.

  For any questions, please contact UIP.DataCollection@education.govt.nz.

• Introducing Sharon-May McCrostie, ENZ’s new Director Sector Engagement

  Can you tell us about your professional background including the role you had prior to joining ENZ?

  After graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Management Studies specialising in Japanese and International Business, I joined the primary export sector. I held a range of sales, marketing and business development roles in the seafood and horticultural sectors with a focus on Asian markets, including with ENZA (the NZ Apple and Pear Marketing Board) in Singapore. My first job was in Bluff, exporting live lobster!

  Prior to joining ENZ, I spent 20 years with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in a range of roles supporting NZ exporters to realise their international growth ambitions. In my last role there, I was Customer Director where I led a team of customer managers supporting digital technology and services exporters across the central New Zealand region.

  What are your thoughts on your new role so far?

  I feel I have joined ENZ at the perfect time as the team here comes together to co-create next year’s business plan. Early in the role, I was catapulted into focus groups with sub-sectors to understand their priorities and ensure we focus on the right opportunities and challenges to enable the international education sector to flourish. Providers were generous in sharing insights and setting expectations for ENZ, providing important input into the business planning process.

  As we work through the process, I have been incredibly impressed with the knowledge of my team and the wider  ENZ team, and admire the depth of passion and ambition to ensure we make a difference to the sector.

  What do you see as the challenges and potential opportunities for our sector?

  The market for international learners is hyper competitive, and our main competitors are driving hard to win market share in the face of ongoing global uncertainty.  New Zealand has an excellent reputation for education, but we must be smarter and nimbler to maintain an edge over our competitors and attract quality learners to NZ. 

  We must continue to build brand awareness and enable agents and providers to provide a compelling case for choosing a NZ education. As the sector shifts from recovery to rebuild, it is an opportunity to think differently about how we partner with the sector to co-create a robust, resilient, and innovative sector that meets the needs of the future learner:  I am excited to be part of that conversation.

  Outside of work, what do you like to do?

  Wellington is blessed with rolling hills that embrace the harbour, and I love running its trails and taking in the soaring views. I also love to swim – mostly in a pool, with the occasional plunge in the ocean. Otherwise, I love to read, rummage through op shops for vintage china and linen, and hang out with my daughters who are my biggest teachers.