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Special offer on ICEF Academy NZ Education Agent Course
ICEF Academy, the professional training arm of ICEF, has launched a new online course that is designed to equip education agents with the resources they need to provide the highest quality of guidance to students wishing to study in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The New Zealand Education Agent Course (NZEAC) has been developed in collaboration with Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and adds to the ICEF Academy’s portfolio of destination training.
ICEF is now offering a promotional rate for readers of E-News. Education agents can use the code NZEAC30 during checkout to purchase the exam with a 30% discount. This offer is available until 31 December 2024.
Since its 27 June launch date, the course is already proving popular. As of 14 August, 618 education agents have enrolled in the course, 532 have started, 127 have completed the course, and 16 have graduated.
Commenting on the course’s uptake, Sahinde Pala, General Manager Sector Services at ENZ said it was encouraging to see that the course was proving popular amongst education agents.
About the course itself, she said “The course offers comprehensive insights for education agents to help them advise students on study in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will help them become better informed about the country’s policies, culture and education system so that their advice to students is current, accurate and helpful.”
In undertaking this course, education agents will have the opportunity to study modules which will encompass New Zealand’s culture and history, education system, work policies and legislation, as well as effective student recruitment and support. The course is self-paced and free, however those seeking to highlight their knowledge as a destination New Zealand specialist have the option to undertake a paid certification exam, for which the 30% discount applies.
Education Agents interested in learning more about the New Zealand Education Agent Course can learn more at: New Zealand Education Agent Course (NZEAC) | ICEF Academy. Education agents are also reminded to register with AgentLab to keep up-to-date with all agent-related news and information.
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ENZ Indonesia launches Kiwi Challenge 2024
On 21 September 2024, the Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ai (ENZ) team in Indonesia proudly launched the fifth KIWI Challenge, continuing ENZ’s collaboration with New Zealand universities. Each year, the competition is co-hosted by ENZ and one New Zealand university with the University of Otago invited to participate in 2024.
This year, university students will participate alongside high school students for the first time. Their challenge is to propose solutions that support youth-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The in-person and online launch event featured a virtual keynote speech by Associate Professor Conor O’Kane, Head of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship programme at Otago Business School. In-person attendees included Associate Professor Leah Watkins, Director of Masters’ Programmes; Regional Manager Sarah Ewing; and Otago Master of Entrepreneurship alumna Fasya Amasani, who delivered insightful sessions about the university. ENZ’s Market Manager, Naluri Bella Wati, also provided an overview of the competition regulations.
The event attracted approximately 100 attendees, all eager to engage with this inspiring challenge. ICAN Education, one of Otago and ENZ's agent partners, served as the on-ground organiser.
Students have until 31 October 2024 to register and send in their video submissions. Following this, the top five teams from both high school and university categories will be selected to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas in the finals, scheduled for 7 December 2024.
Promotional poster for the 2024 KIWI Challenge featuring this year’s event’s details.
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Information releases
Release of Ministerial documents
As part of our commitment to open and transparent government, Education New Zealand (ENZ) proactively releases a variety of agency-produced documents provided to Ministers.
This process is proactive in that it is not dependent upon receiving a request to release the documents. The proactive release of Ministerial documents supplements the wide range of information released by ENZ including the publication of Official Information Act responses, news stories, media releases, corporate publications on this website and intelligence and information on IntelliLab.
If you require any additional information or would like to lodge a request for official information you can contact us in a number of ways:
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Telephone (04) 472 0788
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Postal address: Level 5 Lambton House, 160 Lambton Quay, PO Box 12041, Wellington 6144
Information withheld or deletedDeletions have been made from the documents under the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982:
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9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons
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s9(2)(b)(i) as it would disclose a trade secret
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s9(2)(ba)(i) as it would be likely to prejudice the supply this information in the future and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be
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9(2)(b)(ii) as its release would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied the information
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9(2)(f)(iv) as the work is still under active consideration
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9(2)(g)(i) to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions
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18(d) as the information is or will soon be publicly available.
In preparing this information release, ENZ considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the Official Information Act 1982.
Information release
Where there is a high degree of public interest, Education New Zealand may proactively additional information
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More analysis of latest international student enrolment data
The 2012 Export Education Levy data contained mixed news across sectors, and from some of our key international markets. While the number of international student enrolments is down overall, importantly the value of the industry, as measured by international fees earned, has increased by 2 percent and this is a significant result.
Education New Zealand is committed to working with each sector of New Zealand’s international education industry to support institution’s needs and priorities to enable industry-led growth. We have a strong programme of work underway in 2013 to achieve this.Schools
For all schools, international student numbers declined 0.3% to 15,643 students in 2012 compared with 2011
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Primary and intermediate enrolments were down 3.3%
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Secondary, composite and special enrolments fell 0.3%.
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But value has remained more or less static over the past five years
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South Korea and China make up half the international education market for this sector
South Korea was down 15% for schools in 2012. Why?
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South Korean Government moves to provide more English language tuition in Korea
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Foreign providers setting up in Korea
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Christchurch earthquake
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Economic factors in markets
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High NZ dollar.
China shows strong growth
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In 2012 there was a 20% increase in Chinese school international student numbers
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Chinese first-time visa applications are up, particularly for contributing, composite and special schools.
Japan is emerging as a growth market
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Japanese school international student numbers rose 23% in 2012
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ENZ regards Japan as a market worth further exploration, particularly for school partnerships.
Universities
Universities earned $308.9 million in international fees in 2012, an increase of 5.5%
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There are fewer international students, but they are higher value.
International university student numbers fell 5.2% - a decline of 980 students
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Indian international students accounted for more than 40 percent of the decline.
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There was a small increase in numbers of Chinese international students (universities’ biggest and most valuable market). This suggests that New Zealand’s most important international education market is performing well
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Japanese international student numbers almost doubled
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Saudi numbers are falling due to a halt in new intakes for Saudi scholarship students in 2012
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Universities have seen overall international student numbers fall since 2004 despite ongoing growth in the global market for international students
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Capacity exists and there is scope for recovering market share in the university sector.
Figures for individual universities are not yet available but we believe about a quarter of this decline can be attributed to a fall in enrolments at Canterbury and Lincoln Universities due to earthquakes
Universities have strong commitment to internationalisation, partnering with institutions in a variety of markets.
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs)
In 2012 ITP fee income was up 4.9% from 2011 - overall revenue for the sector has increased almost 50% since 2007
International student numbers rose 7.1%; EFTS were up a corresponding 3.4%. ITPs was the only sector to see a rise in numbers and EFTS
India and China make a combined 57.6% of all ITP international enrolments:
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Numbers are up or holding for all major markets
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There were small declines in South Korea and Saudi Arabia
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Saudi numbers are falling due to a halt in new intakes for Saudi scholarship students in 2012
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China remains relatively strong
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ITPs are encountering strong competition in India from traditional competitors Canada and Australia
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ITPs want to diversify their exposure to India and China with new market development in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Private Training Establishments (PTEs)
PTEs (non-SDR)
Enrolments at non-SDR PTEs (mostly English language schools) fell 13% in 2012
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English language schools down 17%.
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Tuition fees were down 9 % to $105.1 million
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The decline in English language schools likely to be linked to the rising value of the NZ dollar. International language travelers are known to be price sensitive; also an area of intense international competition.
This fall, which has been happening for two years, is of concern because ESOL students often move on to further academic study
Why down:
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Affordability – the high NZ dollar
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Greater provision of English language tuition in South Korea
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Saudi Arabia – fewer new Saudi scholarships
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New immigration policy – changes to work rights for L5 and 6 diplomas introduced in April 2012
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Competition from other our key global competitors.
PTEs (SDR)
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Enrolments at SDR PTEs (mainly vocational education training institutions) were down 6% in 2012
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Tuition fees were up 6.4% to $99 million
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Internationally, demand is growing for high quality vocational training
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Some of our competitors (eg. Australia) have tightened up student immigration criteria for vocational training.
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International education is a win:win for NZ communities and visiting students
· 84 percent of international students studying in New Zealand rate their overall experience positively.
· 75 percent of New Zealanders believe that international students benefit New Zealand.
International education is delivering for both the international students and the New Zealand communities in which they study and live. These are the key findings of two research projects to measure the student experience and the views New Zealanders hold towards international education which have just been released by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). ENZ is the New Zealand government agency focused on international education.
Student experience in New Zealand
In the 2023 International Student Experience survey of 4,755 international students from more than 70 nationalities, 84 percent rated their overall experience positively, while another 83 percent said they would recommend New Zealand as a study destination.
Students were most positive about their personal development and outcomes, with 87 percent saying the experience helping encourage their curiosity and develop new ideas. Students were also very positive (88 percent) about the people and connections they made in New Zealand.
New Zealand was the first choice of study destination of 78 percent of respondents and 64 percent said their New Zealand experience had met or exceeded their expectations, which is consistent with previous research.
Commenting on the results, ENZ General Manager for Marketing and Communications Geoff Bilbrough, said the results showed that New Zealand’s ability to deliver a quality education to international students had remained strong through the recent pandemic, and augured well for further recovery of the sector.
“The strong preference of students for New Zealand as a place where they can obtain a high quality education while enjoying unique personal development and learning experiences really shone through in the student experience survey.”
"The fact that 83 percent would recommend New Zealand based on their personal experience is also very positive, because they will share their experience with friends and families. This word-of-mouth testimony builds resilience for New Zealand as an international education destination.”
Local benefits
In an ENZ survey of 1,100 New Zealanders conducted in December last year, 75 percent of respondents believe that international students benefit New Zealand.
The Ipsos Fast Facts survey, which drew responses from all regions of the country, saw 80 percent of respondents highlighting economic benefits, particularly in local communities, as a key reason for their positive view. Local and cultural contributions were also noted with 81 percent saying international students help local students learn about other cultures and ways of living, and contribute to New Zealand’s cultural diversity.
The results of the 2023 survey highlighted the continuing growth in support for international students and their positive impact on New Zealand since 2016 when only 57 percent believed international students helped the New Zealand economy and economic growth.
The proportion of New Zealanders who feel that international students make it harder for New Zealanders to get jobs also decreased from 34 percent in 2018 to 24 percent in 2023.
However, some respondents expressed concern that some international students use the New Zealand education system as a means to residency, while 32 percent felt New Zealand’s infrastructure in housing, transport and medical services is not well equipped to allow for international students.
Mr Bilbrough said the positive result from the domestic survey was also good news.
“International students have always been a significant contributor to regional economies. It is particularly pleasing that there is strong awareness and support of the cultural exchanges that happen when international students learn alongside New Zealand students and participate in our communities. While the research identified some challenges, the definite trend in awareness of the benefits international students bring to New Zealand is very positive for the future.”
For further information:
Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand
+64 21 479 649
Notes to Editors:
About Education New Zealand (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency responsible for taking New Zealand’s education experiences to the world. ENZ promotes a New Zealand education as one that teaches students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners, which will help them succeed in their future careers and create a positive impact on the world.
With approximately 100 staff in 18 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector including schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Te Pūkenga (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics), universities; and internationally with NZ Inc agencies, Government agencies and education providers to encourage sustainable growth and identify opportunities.
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ENZ responds to international education commentary on NBR
ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons rebuts an economics commentary published on National Business Review (NBR) on Monday 25 March 2024. The rebuttal is published here on NBR and is reproduced below.
In response to your piece “International education: wrong horse to back for export growth?” my answer to the question is a hard “no”. Here’s why. Students are returning to New Zealand. In the first eight months of 2023 international student enrolments topped 59,000 with all sectors experiencing growth except wānanga. Accepting that it is from a low base, comparing 2023 to 2022, Universities have bounced back strongly reporting a 15% increase from 24,040 to 27,535.
It is true that we have not yet returned to 2019 numbers. In my opinion, this is not a bad thing. During the pandemic years the sector lost people and capability. The recent moves of some of our competitors tell you what a sudden return to those numbers of students brings.
I want to address your correspondent’s concerns about the lack of a plan and competition within amongst universities. There is a plan. The New Zealand International Education Strategy, revised in 2022 in discussion with the sector and across Government, sets out the plan to develop a high-value, resilient and innovative education sector for both international and domestic students.
I can also assure you that the sector is working together to achieve its goals, that all eight universities participated in a recent ENZ-led delegation to India, is just one example of the co-operation.
International education is more than universities. In the first eight months of 2023 English Language Schools saw the greatest percentage increase in international enrolments, increasing by 347% from 1,565 to 7,001. Schools reported a 114% increase from 5,925 to 12,662. NZIST Te Pūkenga, a 32% increase from 4,955 to 6,560 and Private Training Establishments (funded and unfunded), a 13% increase from 5,000 to 5,671.
Immigration New Zealand tell us that international student visa applications for all forms of study have increased by about 20 per cent in the peak application period. Between 1 October 2023 and 8 March 2024, they received over 31,800 applications for an international student visa.
Today we have a base of international students in the country and the pipeline for the coming academic year has strong growth.
Our own research shows that the experience international students have while studying in New Zealand is a good one. In our Student Experience survey of 4,755 international students from more than 70 nationalities, 84 percent rated their overall experience positively, while another 83 percent said they would recommend New Zealand as a study destination.
When these students return to their home, and 75% of international students return home after three years, they will be our word-of-mouth advocates – an advocacy we didn’t have during the COVID years.
New Zealanders also appreciate the benefits of international students. In an ENZ survey of 1,100 New Zealanders conducted in December last year, 75 percent of respondents believe that international students benefit New Zealand. The Ipsos Fast Facts survey, which drew responses from all regions of the country, saw 80 percent of respondents highlighting economic benefits, particularly in local communities, as a key reason for their positive view.
The results of the 2023 survey highlighted the continuing growth in support for international students and their positive impact on New Zealand since 2016 when only 57 percent believed international students helped the New Zealand economy and economic growth.
We have students in New Zealand; a strong pipeline; students having a positive experience and advocating for New Zealand; and New Zealanders appreciating the benefits having of them in our communities.
International education is highly competitive. Your correspondent rightly recognises that there are new competitors emerging and Singapore is a good example. We’ve also seen countries like South Korea, a core market for New Zealand, become competitors.
This is not new. We have, and will always have, to compete to attract international students to New Zealand – that they are returning tells me our reputation is good and we remain an attractive option.
Globally the number of international students has grown significantly over the past two decades from around two million in 1998 to over 6.4 million in 2020, according to UNESCO data. New Zealand only needs a very small proportion of what is effectively a supply-driven market to return to pre-pandemic levels of economic contribution and value.
While I am confident that international education is not the “wrong horse”, achieving double the export earnings is going to require a lot of hard work and there is much to do. My point is, that in less than two years since the borders reopened in August 2022, the recovery has well and truly commenced, the progress made to date is significant, and as a sector we can be rightly proud of what we have achieved together.
Linda Sissons
Acting Chief Executive, Education New Zealand
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International education delivers for New Zealand communities and visiting students
These are the key findings of two ENZ research projects to measure the student experience and the views New Zealanders hold towards international education.
Student experience in New Zealand
In the 2023 International Student Experience survey of 4,755 international students from more than 70 nationalities, 84 percent rated their overall experience positively, while another 83 percent said they would recommend New Zealand as a study destination.
Students were most positive about their personal development and outcomes, with 87 percent saying the experience helped encourage their curiosity and develop new ideas. Students were also very positive (88 percent) about the people and connections they made in New Zealand.
New Zealand was the first choice of study destination of 78 percent of respondents and 64 percent said their New Zealand experience had met or exceeded their expectations, which is consistent with previous research.
Commenting on the results, ENZ Student Experience Manager, Ross Crosson, said the results showed that New Zealand’s ability to deliver a quality education to international students had remained strong through the recent pandemic, and boded well for further recovery of the sector.
“The strong preference of students for New Zealand as a place where they can obtain a high-quality education while enjoying unique personal development really shone through in the student experience survey. It was heartening to hear about students growing their confidence because of their study experience in the country.
“We now want to make sure we’re using insights from the survey to inform our work – to ensure New Zealand continues to be the open, inclusive, and welcoming study destination it is known to be.”
ENZ’s Director Insights, Marie Clark, says the survey is a significant undertaking for ENZ and is an important resource for the international education sector.
"For one, it’s the only national survey of international students or indeed even students. We now have the beginnings of a valuable timeseries of data going back to 2019.
"It's important to be able to surface international student insights based on all sorts of variables, including country, sector or gender or a combination of these. We hope people working in the sector will find the sub-sector deep dives and Tableau dashboards particularly insightful resources,” she says.
The International Student Experience Survey 2023 Report is available here on IntelliLab.
Local benefits
In an ENZ survey of 1,100 New Zealanders conducted in December last year, 75 percent of respondents believe that international students benefit New Zealand.
The Ipsos Fast Facts survey, which drew responses from all regions of the country, saw 80 percent of respondents highlighting economic benefits, particularly in local communities, as a key reason for their positive view. Local and cultural contributions were also noted with 81 percent saying international students help local students learn about other cultures and ways of living, and contribute to New Zealand’s cultural diversity.
The results of the 2023 survey highlighted the continuing growth in support for international students and their positive impact on New Zealand since 2016 when only 57 percent believed international students helped the New Zealand economy and economic growth.
The proportion of New Zealanders who feel that international students make it harder for New Zealanders to get jobs also decreased from 34 percent in 2018 to 24 percent in 2023.
However, some respondents expressed concern that some international students use the New Zealand education system as a means to residency, while 32 percent felt New Zealand’s infrastructure in housing, transport and medical services is not well equipped to allow for international students.
Marie said the positive result from the domestic survey was also good news.
“International students have always been a significant contributor to regional economies. It is particularly pleasing that there is strong awareness and support of the cultural exchanges that happen when international students learn alongside New Zealand students and participate in our communities. While the research identified some challenges, the definite trend in awareness of the benefits international students bring to New Zealand is very positive for the future.”
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Employers embrace influence of international students
These employers know that, along with their skills, the international graduates bring rich cultural context, a fresh perspective, an innovative mindset, and a solid work ethic to the office each day.
Assurity Consulting, a New Zealand-owned digital delivery services consultancy, has been hiring international students for their graduate programme almost since the company’s inception 17 years ago. Last year it won the International Student Workplace category at the Wellington International Student Excellence Awards.
“From very early on we took an approach of inclusive selection,” says Aron Chantelau, General Manager, People and Capability. “We wanted to find people whose values aligned with ours instead of simply trying to select based on people’s background and whether or not they went to Uni.”
Assurity has also partnered with Wellington NZ’s Employer Connect programme, established to provide insights into the business environment and networking opportunities for graduating international students; and the Work Ready programme, offering support on CV writing, cover letters, and what to expect from the hiring process.
“For the students, it is an opportunity to build their own network in a place where that might not otherwise be easy. For our staff, they get to connect with new people outside the industry and learn about the challenges the international students face, which gives them greater perspective.”
Aron says the students who attend both programmes are engaged, good at taking feedback, and highly motivated to start their careers.
Learning from each other
For Assurity, employing international graduates is about much more than filling jobs in the tech sector. “Our international graduates bring diversity of thought to our teams, which benefits our clients,” Aron says. “They also bring innovation, introducing new ideas and fresh perspectives which has led us over the years to try new things. And, culturally, it makes for an enjoyable workplace because there’s lots to learn from each other.”
He acknowledges there can be challenges, especially for students with English as a second or third language but says it’s all about providing the right structure and level of support. “We have a People Lead in all our teams. That role can be about supporting career progression, but it can also involve pastoral care - understanding what challenges that person is facing and helping to mitigate them.”
In Southland, Blue River Dairy is another company which recognises the value which international student graduates bring to their business. Since 2018, Blue River has hired more than 30 international students from the Southland Institute of Technology (SIT) and other institutions.
“The culture within an organisation is so important. Hiring only for skills is short-sighted,” says People and Capability Manager Abbigail Surridge. “With many of the international students that we have hired, we’ve been able to harness their life experience, dynamic exposure, and untapped potential as they have grown in their roles.”
“Diversity adds value to our organisation, by introducing different ways of thinking and problem-solving. When we collaborate, those differences help to create success.”
Jacky Shen arrived at SIT from Beijing in 2017 to study for his graduate diploma in Information Technology (IT). He already had a Master’s degree in Communication and Information Systems but wanted to better understand the New Zealand tech environment. He is now a software engineer at Blue River, leading a team of three.
Not only does the company benefit from Jacky’s technical skills, but also his language skills. “We have a number of Chinese suppliers, so I can speak to them easily and provide quick solutions for them,” he says. “Many companies want applicants to have local experience, but Blue Dairy allowed me to gain that experience on the job. It’s been a great opportunity.”
Economic and cultural influence
He believes that international students bring real value to the workplace. “We come with good technical skills, but we also contribute to the economy and to the cultural diversity of the country. It’s a win-win.”
Aron Chantelau says the international students who work in New Zealand have a bright future, whether here or overseas.
“They make a huge difference to our economy, both in terms of digital outcomes for New Zealand but also improving the quality of life here through the work they do,” he says. “Some of them will move overseas but if they’ve had a good experience here, they will become ambassadors for New Zealand.
“It’s great to be part of their journeys.”
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Our role
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is a Crown Agent under Schedule 1 of the Crown Entities Act. ENZ has a dedicated focus on international education and brings the New Zealand Government’s goals for international education to life, bringing benefits to New Zealanders and international learners.
We promote New Zealand as a study destination and support the delivery of education services offshore. We also administer scholarships to support New Zealanders studying overseas, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
Specifically, ENZ...
- leads the future thinking of New Zealand’s international education industry, and drives forward future activities for growth of the industry
- facilitates education industry capability so providers can effectively recruit and support international students
- helps the education industry to identify new opportunities for growth
- leverages the offshore promotional activities of other NZ Inc agencies - such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Immigration New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise - to raise the profile of New Zealand education
- works closely with other New Zealand agencies to create an environment in which international education can grow and international students can flourish
- provides information to prospective international students and their families about studying with New Zealand
- works with other agencies and the education industry to ensure international students continue to receive a high quality experience while living and studying in New Zealand
- spreads the word about the social, cultural and economic benefits of international education within New Zealand.
Our vision
Transforming lives through international education experiences.
Our outcome
ENZ aims to achieve the outcome of the New Zealand International Education Strategy (NZIES) of enabling a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class international education.
The NZIES 2022-2030 sets out a path for the future of our sector. It guides ENZ’s goals and activities under two focus areas and three goals.
Over the next four years, with Te Tiriti as its foundation, ENZ will achieve its vision by:
- empowering New Zealand's international education sector
- connecting New Zealand education globally
- partnering for mutual economic, social and cultural benefits.
The Manapou ki te Ao Strategy 2023-27 has four goals aligned to the NZIES. The fifth goal – Driver operational performance – underpins the others.
ENZ Strategy 2023 - 2027
For further reading:
Our work to support Māori Crown relationships
ENZ is committed to giving practical effect to the Crown's Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti) responsibilities in our work and giving effect to Te Tiriti obligations in the Education and Training Act 2020. We take a wide and deliberate view of Te Tiriti to build understanding of what it means and how it can contribute to international education in practice.
ENZ is implementing He Rautaki Māori, our Māori Strategy, by weaving the following Ngā Whainga (key objectives) into our activities:
- Facilitating strategic partnerships and connections with indigenous iwi/hapu and Māori providers to deliver international education with, and for, indigenous and Māori communities.
- Embedding the principles of ENZ's Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework into all facets of operation to present the education system as valuing a Māori world view.
- Supporting public sector objectives in Māori-Crown relationships
- Continuing to weave te reo me ōna tikanga into ENZ's purpose, which is to spread the word about the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education within New Zealand.
Who we work with
ENZ works with New Zealand’s diverse international education industry, organisations and companies that cover seven sectors:
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International student employment: overcoming barriers
The panel, chaired by ENZ’s Director Student Experience, Hayley Shields, featured a diverse and informed range of views from
- Brett Berquist, Director International at the University of Auckland
- Dr Cate Gribble, Senior Research Analyst at the University of Auckland
- James Koo, former international student and founder and CEO of Niesh, a free student discounts app
- Paul Hickey, Managing Director at SpeakData
- Charan Mohan, former international student and now Business Intelligence Analyst at SpeakData.
Dr Cate Gribble talked about the need to raise awareness of the benefits to businesses of employing international students to counter employer concerns around the challenges of international student employees, including perceptions they won’t fit culturally, their English will be limited or that their visa situation will make paperwork too challenging. Students also find their international work experience in their home country is not always valued here, and employers often require New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents.
Brett Berquist added that we need to counter the perception that international students will not stick around.
“The reality is that all students, both domestic and international, are equally mobile. Employers need to stop thinking Kiwis make employees for life, and that international students are a flight risk.”
James Koo said the lack of transparency around these concerns is a challenge for international students. As a result, many international students end up sending a generic CV and cover letter to any and all available jobs, too discouraged to spend time tailoring their CVs to each role.
James also noted that student expectations can sometimes be unrealistic, and some students expect to work in large, prestigious companies whereas most New Zealand companies are SMEs – which he noted can actually offer more opportunities and experiences for students and recent graduates.
SpeakData’s Paul Hickey then talked about his experience hiring international students, such as fellow panellist Charan Mohan. While Charan clearly had the hard skills required for his company, Paul needed to be convinced of his soft skills, which he calls being ‘Kiwi-ready.’
“Often, international students come into interviews and talk solely about their studies and qualifications when actually, we’re just as interested in hearing about their interests outside of work.“That social aspect plays a big part – sharing a story about kayaking in Taupo at the weekend or going to an All Blacks game is an easy way to connect with Kiwi employers.”
Paul also talked about the need to work with institutions to create a pipeline of talent.
“Employers often take a short-term view and hire people ‘just in time’ rather than looking ahead, whereas if you expect to have 10 new positions available in two years’ time, why not try to establish a pipeline for talent through local institutions who can connect you with new graduates with relevant skills?”
Panellists also agreed that having internships and work experience in education programmes will also help international students get into the job market when they graduate.
Brett concluded that while all these approaches can reduce barriers, ultimately, a strategy is required – supported by data that is already available in reports such as the Ministry of Education’s ‘Moving Places’, ENZ’s Beyond the Economic and Immigration New Zealand data.
It is an ongoing discussion that will continue to be in the spotlight in New Zealand as the industry works to meet international student expectations of global employability.
