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• Caroline plays her part in Christchurch rebuild

  But she is now a qualified quantity surveyor as comfortable working on building sites as she is back in the office crunching the numbers. 

  Caroline says it is not a profession she would have contemplated in China, where she grew up, but Christchurch’s rebuild inspired her to pursue a career in the construction industry and she is grateful for the freedom to be able to achieve her ambitions.  

  “It has been very rewarding to be part of the rebuild and to see the changes in the city. Bettabuilt, the company I work for, specialises in school rebuilds. When we finish a new school, you feel like you’ve done something you should be really proud of.”  

  And her parents are proud too. They have backed her career choice and know that the bold decision they made to send their only child to New Zealand for education was the right one.  

  

  New Zealand a safe place to study 

  Caroline says they had travelled widely as a family before making the decision that she would come to Burnside High School Te Kura o Waimairi-iri in Year 11. “They wanted me to be open-minded and take on new experiences and cultures,” she says. “They decided it would be good for me to study in another country with a different culture and chose New Zealand because it was a peaceful and safe country.” 

  Before she arrived, Caroline was set up with a “buddy”, a student from her school in Beijing who was already studying here and helped provide insights into life in New Zealand. She also took an online course prepared for international students.  

  “This made me feel more confident and familiar with what I was coming to which was important, because the culture and environment is quite different from my home country.” 

  But there were still some big adjustments to be made when it came to schooling. “All courses in China are set by the Education Department. In New Zealand, you have freedom to choose your own courses,” she says. “At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by the options available to me because I didn’t know exactly what I should take. But it was good that I had the opportunity to try courses that I was interested in.”  

  She also had to get used to a self-directed approach to learning. “It allows you to study in a way which suits you best, which was positive for me. And it means when you start work you have the ability and discipline to study by yourself. I have used methods I learned in high school and university to build my knowledge in the workplace.” 

  With more free time in her life, Caroline had the opportunity to play sport and even take on a part-time job which she says would not have been possible in Beijing. “That job really helped me because I got to practice English and gain more confidence talking to local people.” 

  New career opportunities 

  It was all part of an international education experience which Caroline believes is about much more than study.

  “When you’re an international student, you quickly acquire life skills and become much more independent.

  You also learn about other cultures because you are mixing with people from many different backgrounds. It was quite an eye-opener for me, but I enjoyed it.” 

  

  Once she determined her career choice, Caroline chose Ara Institute of Canterbury as the next step on her education pathway. Starting with a Diploma in Quantity Surveying, she followed it up with a Bachelor of Construction. Job and internship opportunities were regularly shared by their programme leader, illustrating the close ties with business. 

  The decision to study in New Zealand has taken Caroline on a journey she couldn’t have imagined when she arrived. “In China I would not be working in construction. I would probably have been working in finance or management,” she says. “The environment here changed me and gave me career options I would not have considered at home.” 

  In the past few months Caroline has secured residency and bought her first house, giving her a real sense of belonging. “I enjoy my work and my life in New Zealand. I love Christchurch and I’m proud to be contributing to the rebuild of the city.” 

  “I feel really happy that I came here.”  

• New Zealand and Viet Nam sign Arrangement, strengthening education ties

  This arrangement was signed by New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Hon Penny Simmonds and Viet Nam’s Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Kim Son during the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam His Excellency Phạm Minh Chính’s visit to New Zealand from 9 – 11 March. Prime Minister Pham and Prime Minister Luxon witnessed the signing of this arrangement, which covers the period 2023 – 2026.  

  The EEA, which will replace the Strategic Engagement Plan on Education (SEP) 2020 – 2023, identifies areas of engagement and sets new targets over the next three years.  

  Specific areas covered in the arrangement include collaboration and information exchange in English language training, short courses and executive education programmes that New Zealand provides in Viet Nam. 

  The arrangement will also explore opportunities to build mutual value in English language literacy, early childhood education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Sharing and publicising scholarship programmes in both countries will be undertaken while institutions will also be encouraged to increase research engagement as well as student, lecturer and research exchange activities. 

  Both countries have also agreed to actively support the activities of alumni groups in both Viet Nam and New Zealand, and celebrate the lifelong connections generated through these networks. 

  The signing of this arrangement with Viet Nam aligns with the New Zealand Government’s priority to revive international education, lift its contribution to New Zealand’s economy, and diversify international education markets. Concerted effort is going into deepening and broadening our overall bilateral relationship with countries in Southeast Asia including Viet Nam, including our trade and economic interests.  

  ENZ’s Acting Chief Executive, Linda Sissons, said the Education Engagement Arrangement provides an important opportunity to build on the longstanding education partnership between New Zealand and Viet Nam.   

  “Viet Nam is a multi-sectored market for New Zealand’s international education industry and an important source country for international students.” 

   “This arrangement demonstrates to prospective students and their families that New Zealand is a partner of choice for the Vietnamese Government in the field of education, which aligns with the New Zealand Government’s priority to build a more resilient and sustainable sector.” 

  “With its strong focus on partnerships, the arrangement also lays an excellent foundation for further growth by New Zealand’s tertiary sector. It presents real opportunities for our EdTech sector to continue to build on the recently completed market familiarisation trip, with further development of opportunities that support Viet Nam’s digital transformation strategy. 

  

  Bilateral meeting between New Zealand and Vietnam during the Prime Minister of Vietnam, His Excellency Mr Pham Minh Chính's visit to New Zealand. March 11, 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Mark Tantrum.

  The first Strategic Engagement Plan on education (SEP) was signed in 2015, laying the foundation for a strategic education partnership between New Zealand and Viet Nam. The SEP sits under our overarching bilateral Education Cooperation Arrangement between the Ministries of Education, which was refreshed in 2022. The SEP was renewed in 2018 and again for the period 2020 – 2023, between Education New Zealand and Viet Nam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and was signed during the year we marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Viet Nam (2020). This built on existing education initiatives and identified new opportunities to be co-developed and delivered for the mutual benefit of both countries.  You can read about the last signing of the Strategic Engagement Plan in 2020 signing here.

  Following the signing of the EEA, both education ministers participated in a bilateral meeting to discuss the education relationship between the two nations, current priorities and the development of activities under the new arrangement. This discussion touched specific areas of collaboration such as early childhood education, institutional partnerships and vocational training. 

  

  Minister Penny Simmonds present Minister Nguyen Kim Son a gift following the bilateral education ministers meeting.

  New Zealand is offering Vietnamese students two government scholarship programmes for secondary school study (the New Zealand Schools Scholarships – NZSS) and for postgraduate study (the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships). In view of increasing demand for study with New Zealand, ENZ has implemented a wide range of initiatives to equip Vietnamese learners with the 21st century skills, and support families in obtaining up-to-date information to plan for their study journey in New Zealand.  

  The New Zealand Education Day, ENZ’s flagship event, is scheduled on 19 and 20 October. It has been held annually since 2017 and attracts hundreds of visitors. 

• Smart waste management idea sees students take out top spot in KIWI Challenge Indonesia finals

  The theme was “Reforming Indonesia’s mobility and smart cities using AI technology”. This year’s initiative hosted 59 teams from across 37 schools for a total of 269 student participants, the highest ever at the KIWI Challenge.  

  The groups were required to submit video entries to a judging panel made up of AUT academics and ENZ representatives, who reviewed the submissions and selected finalists. Participants received mentoring from a New Zealand university academic through the process and took part in workshops to refine their business plans. They were given a taste of New Zealand’s learning environment along the way and built an understanding of our tertiary education offering for future planning.  

  The participating academic was Dr Taghreed Hikmet from AUT, a Senior Lecturer in International Business, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship who has expertise in smart cities and is passionate about mentoring and inspiring young future leaders. 

  The finals were held on Saturday 25th November, where six shortlisted teams from across Indonesia presented their ideas to a panel of judges made up of Dr Hikmet (AUT), Ben Burrowes (ENZ’s Regional Director, Asia), and Indonesia Embassy staff (representing Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Hira Trisnoputri.  

  UniSadhuGuna International College took first place with their ‘Greenlight’ business idea, a smart waste management enterprise which aims to create a sustainable waste management system that actively involves households, businesses, and the government. UniSadhuGuna International College received a voucher worth 10,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah for winning the competition.  

  

  Winners! The team from UniSadhuGuna international College took out first place with their ‘Greenlight’ business idea.

  Dr Hikmet reflected on the KIWI Challenge warmly. “It has been truly rewarding, observing the outstanding progress and growth in the finalists' projects, presentations, and overall confidence.  

  "It was a privilege to engage with high school students across Indonesia, contributing to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit fostered by the competition. Excitement brews within me for the potential of future collaborations and initiatives,” Dr Hikmet concluded.  

  Following the finals, Ben Burrowes and Dr Taghreed Hikmet participated in an Instagram Live session with KOMPAS TV, the leading media network in Indonesia. This Instagram Live generated a total of 3.4k views and the highest number of people watching online was 348. You can watch the Instagram Live here: Part 1 and Part 2.  

• Our team

  The ENZ team works together to grow awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and to support New Zealand education providers and businesses to take their services and products overseas for enduring social, cultural and economic benefits.

  Through development of a world-class international education sector, we contribute to building a thriving and globally connected New Zealand.

  We have approximately 100 staff in 18 locations around the world. In New Zealand, we have offices in Wellington and Auckland.

  Our values, Ngā Manapou strive to create a culture of Aroha at ENZ; a place where we all value the beliefs and culture of ENZ staff. This culture of Aroha is underpinned by four values: Manaakitanga, Be one, Kaitiakitanga, Be Bold.

  ENZ is structured into three business groups:

  • Strategy, Capability & Performance

  • International & Sector Engagement

  • International Marketing, Brand & Scholarships 

  To get in touch with a member of the team, click here.

   

• Felix Loh: kūwaha a symbol of enduring ties to New Zealand

  Now chief executive of the stunning and expansive botanical attraction that is Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, Felix is delighted that it was selected as the site for a Māori kūwaha, or carved doorway, which feels personally symbolic to him.

  Recently unveiled by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the kūwaha celebrates the long-standing friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Singapore. “New Zealand has a special place in my heart, and I am honoured to host this precious Māori artefact. I hope the kūwaha will be a symbol of our friendship for many years to come.” 

  New Zealand now feels like a second home to Felix, but he shocked his parents and perplexed the scholarship selection committee back in 1988 when he told them he wanted to study horticulture at Massey University.  

  “I knew that Massey was well-known as an agricultural centre of excellence, and that horticulture was a very popular course,” he says. “But they were puzzled and asked me why I wanted to be a farmer in an urban city state like Singapore.

  “My Dad did not speak to me for a few years, because Asians all want their kids to be lawyers, engineers, and doctors, and I chose to be a plant doctor instead. But I never regretted that decision.”

  Felix says he felt welcome from the moment he arrived in New Zealand and enjoyed his four years as an international student so much he would have stayed on if he could. But the terms of his scholarship meant he needed to return to Singapore.

  

  The Māori kūwaha recently unveiled at Gardens by the Bay.

  No such thing as a stupid question 

  A less formal approach to education, with an emphasis on inquiry and collaborative learning, proved an initial challenge for Felix but ended up being one of the reasons he rates his New Zealand education experience so highly.  

  “At my first class we were told that we were expected to ask questions. This was the first time that I heard the phrase ‘there’s no such thing as a stupid question’,” he says. “That shook me, because in Singapore in those days nobody answered a question in class unless they were sure they had the right answer. For the first time, someone was willing to explore an alternative point of view.” 

  He turned up to English classes thinking it would simply be language tuition but discovered it was all about writing for your audience, with essays to be critiqued by classmates. “I initially questioned why fellow students would judge my work, but I quickly understood the value in taking on board a diversity of views to refine an idea or get a better product.” 

  And group project work certainly provided a life lesson for Felix, who had been conditioned to individual success based on exam results. “Not only did we have to work in groups, but we couldn’t choose our project partners,” he says.  

  “I’ll never forget the lecturer telling us that when we get to the workplace, we cannot choose our boss or even our colleagues, so we need to be able to work with different people. I learned that New Zealanders place people at the centre of what they do, and that we need to learn to appreciate the input of others.”

  “I learned that New Zealanders place people at the centre of what they do”

  Felix says his New Zealand education set him up for life-long learning which has helped to drive his career success. “You’ve got to learn and unlearn throughout your whole lifetime. It’s not so much about the content, but about being curious and knowing where to go for the answers.”

  Friendships lead to enduring ties 

  It is through the people he met that he has forged an enduring relationship with New Zealand. Fellow churchgoers and schoolmates became life-long friends and “a moral and emotional support base” over the years. He has returned to New Zealand many times and stays in touch with former lecturers and teaching staff, some of whom are now plant suppliers for him in his role at Gardens by the Bay.

  

  Felix at Gardens by the Bay.

  “When I took on this job, one of my first trips was to go back to New Zealand to source new plants for our temperate Flower Dome. I visited a number of nurseries, just knocking on their doors, and I was made to feel so welcome. It just felt like I was at home.”

  The world is a very different place from what it was in the 1990s, but Felix says the value of international education remains as important as ever.

  “International education helps us to understand other perspectives better and demystify misconceptions we have about each other.

  “In today’s uncertain world it is always good to have friends in other places. You discover that we have more things in common than set us apart.”

• Meet the team: John Goulter

  Could you please outline your own role and the role of the Stakeholders and Communications team?

  The Stakeholders and Communications team looks after the part of ENZ’s work that intersects with key external groups – such as other government departments, Ministers, Parliament and, through our various channels, the people of New Zealand.

  We try to get all those influences lined up in support of international education. Right now, thanks to COVID-19, there is more external focus on international education than there has been for years. We try to ensure it’s well-informed.

  How has COVID-19 impacted your team’s work, and what work do you have ahead of you with the recovery?

  Sometimes it seems like we have done nothing else since COVID-19 appeared on the horizon way back in January.

  It has brought to the surface some long-running issues about international education. It’s an opportunity for us to show leadership in outlining the future role of the sector, and developing interesting new approaches.

  

  John with ENZ Field Director - North America Lewis Gibson in Washington DC.

  Can you tell me a bit about your professional background?

  I was a journalist for a long time, mainly reporting politics from the Press Gallery in Parliament.

  I loved that at the time but I moved into public affairs roles because after a while in journalism I wanted to be influencing the way things happen, rather than just writing about them. 

  Journalism is now changing totally, like many sectors are. Some new models are emerging, but it’s a struggle in a country the size of New Zealand.

  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

  I like running and travelling and live music. So I’m not having a great year. Most running events have been cancelled or postponed, and so have all the concerts I had booked for.

  I listen to some podcasts, mainly about running and politics in the United States. It is hard for us to fathom the depth of the COVID-19 crisis they are going through.

  I actually liked a lot about our lockdown. It was good being a little family unit at home. I loved running on nearly empty roads. I took up Zoom yoga classes with my daughter in Christchurch. I wonder about what the new reality is going to look like for us all.

• South Canterbury welcomes Thai agent

  What was the purpose of Pear’s visit to South Canterbury?

  Education South Canterbury is working on developing an MOU with Thai schools introduced to us by Pear. She was in South Canterbury specifically to familiarise herself with our schools and to experience the region as the students do. She visited each of Education South Canterbury’s member schools and met with students at each one.

  How did Pear’s visit fit in with Education South Canterbury’s goals?

  Thailand is a focus market and an important and valuable partner for Education South Canterbury.

  In the Education South Canterbury strategic plan we are working to develop capability and support the government goals for 2025.

  As we are developing an MOU with schools in Thailand that Pear works with, we felt that the familiarisation visit would give her a strong understanding of the educational experiences offered by institutions and the student lifestyle here in the region.

  Education South Canterbury was delighted to give Pear a first-hand experience of the region, so that she can support and promote the special features of the programmes that we offer.  

  What did Pear see and experience during her visit?

  Pear’s visit started with a welcome dinner with the members of Education South Canterbury and included a lunch hosted by the Mayor.

  We wanted to give Pear the opportunity to experience the activities that our students take part in while studying in the region – she went to a country cafe complete with farmyard animals, and mini golf and afternoon tea with Thai students currently studying at a local school and Aoraki Polytechnic.

  Pear visited the Te Ana Rock Art Centre and was very impressed with the cultural history of the region

  Unfortunately, the planned trip to Tekapo for a jet boat ride had to be cancelled due to gale force winds! So, that gave her first-hand experience of New Zealand’s changeable weather patterns.

  Pear stayed in Geraldine and Timaru, getting a taste of both town and country lifestyles, and experiencing both homestay and motel accommodation, further strengthening her insights in to the student and parent experience.

  What did Pear enjoy most?

  Pear really enjoyed the chance to meet all of the Education South Canterbury members and develop relationships with the International Directors at each of the institutions.

  She loved meeting the current students and felt their enthusiasm and honest feedback was really valuable. 

  In Geraldine Pear loved looking at the stars after we had been out for a meal. With no light pollution she had some great views of the Milky Way – the clear night air almost magnifies the vista.  This is something Pear just doesn’t get to see in the large cities of Thailand.

  What did you learn about Thailand from Pear?

  All Education South Canterbury members are familiar with Thailand and have visited regularly, so we were especially pleased to get specific information about the schools we are dealing with and the expectations around our MOU from the Thai schools’ perspective. We really appreciated Pear’s forthrightness in working through the specifics of the process.

  How are you maintaining the relationship now that Pear’s gone home?

  We have been in regular email contact with Pear since her return to Thailand, and we are planning an Education South Canterbury group delegation visit in early September to see Pear and visit NZ Study.

  What do you see as unique about South Canterbury education and culture?

  In South Canterbury we don’t just do international education, we internationalise our education.

  South Canterbury offers an authentic small town Kiwi experience, where all students are known in the school and warmly embraced by the wider community. Students get an individual and intimate experience – they are all made to feel special and develop lifelong friendships with Kiwi students and homestay families.

  The experience is very much a two-way exchange between the international students and the Kiwi students.  The visiting students opened our Kiwi students’ eyes to their lifestyle, culture and life experiences… so becoming the educators of our students! 

  South Canterbury is “New Zealand at your back door”. We offer beaches, mountains, rivers and diverse landscapes – outdoor excitement with a sense of security. In South Canterbury, you can travel from the Southern Alps to the ocean in two hours or less.

  Students in Education South Canterbury schools learn in the environment. Field trips and outdoor pursuits take them out into the real New Zealand and they are immersed in the environment they are learning about.

  Students in South Canterbury schools can embrace the arts – music and theatre, orchestras, brass bands and sing in New Zealand award-winning choral groups.

  No matter what students want to pursue, South Canterbury offers the opportunity!

  

  L – R: Julie McLean, Pear and Mayor of Timaru, Damon Odey

• Market insights from Japanese media

  The journalists represented a range of Japanese news media with audiences of various interests, ages and social groups:

  • Sachiko Habu, Editor-in-Chief of Nikkei DUAL, a digital magazine for working parents
  • Ryo Fujii, Deputy Editor of CNET Japan, focused on technology and innovation news
  • Yuko Okumura, a freelance journalist for Glolea!, promoting study abroad for Japanese students.

  The journalists visited secondary schools, English language schools, early childhood education (ECE) providers and government agencies involved in technology-focused start-ups.

  Misa Kitaoka, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager – Japan, said New Zealand’s approach to education was considered very forward-thinking in Japan.

  “They realised that education in New Zealand is not about only acquiring knowledge, which is still the case in Japan, but about what one can do with the knowledge in dealing with the uncertainties that come with the accelerated globalisation and digitisation in society.” 

  New Zealand’s world-first education ranking for instilling future skills resonated with the journalists, as did the Government’s push to enable innovation in the private sector, its tertiary qualifications framework for ITPs, and unique ECE curriculum.

  Government-led initiatives such as CreativeHQ were very attractive to the journalists as well.

  “In Japan, it’s usually the private sector that drives innovation so seeing a government-led initiative in New Zealand really made an impression,” said Misa.

  The journalists were interested that some New Zealand schools offered the International Baccalaureate (IB), which could be a pathway to tertiary study options in Japan, New Zealand, US and the UK.

  “IB is a hot topic in Japan at the moment, with the Japanese government promoting international education and introducing international curricula such as the IB diploma to Japanese schools,” said Misa.

  

  The journalists enjoy a Kiwi classic - hokey pokey ice cream.

  The topic of Japanese parents bringing their pre-school children to an English-speaking country like New Zealand for a short-term immersion – the ‘barefeet study abroad’ experience, as one journalist put it – was also of interest. The journalists appreciated the “unique learning environment” offered by the New Zealand ECEs they visited.

  “They were impressed to see children immersed in nature while learning how to be independent and resilient,” said Misa.    

  New Zealand’s high quality of life, healthy work-life balance and the flexibility of “work from home” also made a good impression.

• Creating a China-first digital ecosystem

  Western websites and social media platforms have issues with accessibility, performance and loading speed in China, so ENZ has had to create bespoke digital technology to share the New Zealand education story with Chinese students.

  ENZ carried out focus groups with Chinese international students to gather insights while designing the website to ensure it met the needs of a Chinese audience.

  Its new website has a China domain name (.cn), has been search engine-optimised and is tracked with Baidu analytics (China’s equivalent of Google).

  The site has also been integrated with ENZ’s database marketing system, enabling ENZ to follow up leads and capture marketing data. Having a .cn domain name enables ENZ to run a marketing campaign to boost its search rankings in Baidu.

  The site works strategically with ENZ’s account on WeChat, China’s most popular social media app with more than one billion users.

  ENZ has had an account on WeChat since 2014, and now has more than 53,000 followers.

  In October last year, ENZ brought My StudyNZ to WeChat. My StudyNZ provides personalised study matches for international students exploring study in New Zealand.

  Three-quarters of people using My StudyNZ on WeChat browse their study matches for almost two minutes, which is a good level of engagement.

  Students using My StudyNZ in China are more likely to fund their own studies than students globally (76% compared to 33%) and more likely to have tuition budgets of more than $30,000 (30% compared to 15%). Ten percent are interested in studying at a school, compared to 3% of students globally, which illustrates the high value of this market.

  ENZ’s International Social Engagement Specialist, Nicole Baird, said ENZ has a frequent calendar of social media posts to engage with its WeChat audience.

  “We are also increasing our capabilities to segment our WeChat audience to direct content specific to each follower’s needs,” Nicole said.

  ENZ’s Digital Programme Manager, Lucia Alarcon, said ENZ’s bigger and more robust ecosystem offers useful insights to help inform its marketing strategy.

  “We are able to strengthen and increase our data capabilities and gain insights to inform our marketing decisions.”

  Visit the China site here. Read more about My StudyNZ on WeChat here, or take a look at it by searching for its official Chinese name on WeChat (新西兰留学规划) or by scanning this QR code:

  

• Enhancing diversity in the student experience

  A number of education and diversity-related professionals from around the world attended GIIL, including a cohort of 11 visiting US professionals from international education, student affairs, education abroad, faculty development, and diversity and social justice programmes.

  At the conference, delegates had the chance to network and gain skills and resources to better support diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus.

  Hayley Shields, ENZ’s Director Student Experience, said the turnout at GIIL reflected the growing interest in diversity on Kiwi campuses.

  “When it comes to the international education industry in New Zealand, we’ve tended to view diversity from a recruitment perspective as meaning market diversification,” said Hayley.

  “However, New Zealand – and in particular, Auckland – is a very diverse society and sets a great example of inclusivity and openness to other international educators around the world.”

  Hayley spoke at the panel on ‘Multi-sector perspectives on diversity and inclusion in New Zealand,’ alongside panellists from the University of Auckland, Auckland Council, Ministry of Education and Niesh, a student-run, student services enterprise.

  Breakout group discussions focussed on diversity in the student experience, local and central government policies, and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and students.

  Hayley said with more than 220 recorded ethnic groups living in Auckland, and with the location of the conference at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika, the setting helped emphasise the importance of diversity and inclusion on New Zealand campuses. 

  GIIL was co-sponsored by ENZ and the University of Auckland, and coordinated through the Diversity Abroad network.