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Letter from the CE: Welcoming new ENZ whānau
As a result, we have established some new and revised roles at ENZ. Please join me in welcoming them to the ENZ whānau.
International appointments include:• Lisa Futschek – General Manager, International
Lisa will be developing our international operations and integrating the work of all our international staff with the Partnership and Marketing team, in particular. Lisa has been with ENZ since 2013, after an 18-year diplomatic career with MFAT which included postings in Chile and Germany. At ENZ, Lisa has spearheaded initiatives such as the Generation Study Abroad and Go Overseas scholarships and Game on English; has championed the development of local language and tailored marketing materials; and has led the establishment of a permanent ENZ presence in Tokyo, Los Angeles and Bogota.• Amy Rutherford – Regional Director, Americas and Europe (based in Washington DC)
Amy joined ENZ back in April 2013 as the International Market Manager (IMM) for China. She subsequently picked up IMM responsibility for the USA and in that capacity spearheaded ENZ’s approach to North America. Since January 2016, Amy has been ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager in the US, based initially in Los Angeles and now in Washington, DC. Amy joined ENZ with substantial experience in international education having worked for the International Office at the University of Otago and later for IFSA (a US third-party study abroad provider).• John Laxon – Regional Director – South and South East Asia Regions (based in Singapore).
John’s role has been expanded to encompass all of Asia including China, Japan and Korea. John had previously held responsibility for the South and South East Asian regions and the Middle East and has previously been based in Saudi Arabia. John has been with ENZ since 2014, having previously held roles at the Tertiary Education Commission, The Treasury and as a Ministerial Advisor.• Miranda Herbert – Director, Greater China
This China-based role will be responsible for managing, leading and supporting ENZ’s Greater China teams and leveraging opportunities with other NZ Inc agencies both in-market and New Zealand to promote New Zealand education. Miranda was previously the Deputy Director International at the University of Auckland (UoA) where she led UoA’s internationalisation work. Miranda’s leadership in transnational education projects and understanding of the Chinese student journey will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our ENZ China strategy. Miranda is a fluent Mandarin speaker, having graduated with a BA (Hons) in Chinese from the University of Waikato and spent four years living in China working in the education sector. Miranda will relocate to Beijing in July.
Sector and student-related appointments include:• Paul Irwin – General Manager, Partnerships and Marketing
Paul will be responsible for strengthening the connections between education providers and international students by bringing together ENZ’s international marketing, brand development, industry development and channels teams. Paul was previously General Manager Student Marketing, having joined ENZ from advertising agency FCB Wellington where he led the Wellington office for almost five years. He has extensive experience in marketing strategy, digital marketing, international marketing and team management, honed during the past 15 years in a range of management roles.• Laura Simpson – Director, Industry
Laura will be responsible for leading and managing initiatives to build the capability and capacity of New Zealand’s international education industry. Laura has a breadth of experience in the education and health sectors and is currently at the University of Auckland where she is the Associate Director for the MBA and Post Graduate Diploma programmes. Over her career, Laura has developed strengths in programme development and leading innovation and change in complex organisations, systems and teams. Laura will start on 8 July in our Auckland office.• Dan Smidt – Director, Channel Services & Partnerships
Dan joined ENZ in October 2017 on a two-year contract to revitalise and manage ENZ’s agent programme. This new role includes Dan’s previous responsibility for managing agents and developing our agent strategy, plus assumes responsibility for managing our events team and exploring channel partnership opportunities. A big focus in this role will be how we evolve and optimise our non-digital channels to improve impact and efficiencies while better meeting the changing needs of students, industry and agents. Dan will work closely with digital marketing teams to ensure all our non-digital channels are working efficiently alongside our digital channels and integrated with our data strategy.• Sahinde Pala – Director, Student Experience and Global Citizens
Sahinde will be managing the student experience (SX) and scholarships teams and shaping ENZ’s approach to Student Experience and Global Citizens within ENZ as well as with the education sector and government agency partners. Sahinde has been involved with ENZ’s student experience work for over three years, making important contributions to the development of NauMai NZ and the New Zealand International Education Strategy. From her time in ENZ’s Industry Development team, Sahinde brings great connections with education providers, peak bodies and regional agencies.
Grant McPhersonENZ Chief Executive
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From the CE: Growth on the go
Kia ora koutou,
This month, the Government announced the International Education Going for Growth Plan – this is an exciting, positive step forward for international education as we chase a big growth target to double the value of New Zealand international education by 2034.
It’s an ambitious target. However, with the strong and steady growth we have seen in international student numbers in 2024, the Growth Plan will help us boost that growth track to make New Zealand the destination of choice for international students.
At its heart, the Growth Plan is about striking the right balance between achieving sustainable growth for the sector, while providing our international students with an excellent experience in New Zealand and enabling our communities to understand the broad benefits that international education brings.
I am pleased with the work that is underway to progress the plan’s implementation. Over July and early August, ENZ is holding a series of market focused, cross-sector sessions to share market plans for 2025-26. The sessions will provide sector representatives with a topline update on market plans, growth targets, the approach for subsectors, and market activity.
I believe these sessions will prove useful in clarifying how ENZ intends to engage with the sector to activate and deliver the plan.
And with the way our latest 2024 enrolment numbers have continued their upward surge, we are on the right track to advance towards our growth goals. Our enrolments are now at 72 percent of pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019, with most sub-sectors contributing to this growth.
We are also seeing interesting trends in these enrolment numbers across subsectors, level of study and source markets and we look forward to sharing these insights with the sector. So make sure you sign up for ENZ’s webinar on 2024 international student enrolments to learn more about emerging trends with students, and how you can use this information in your organisational planning.
Last week, we said farewell to two of ENZ’s long-serving Board members, Linda Sissons and Lyn Provost, who completed their terms, and welcomed new members Sara Brownlie and Prabha Ravi with a mihi whakatau.
Finally, this week, I will be attending The PIE Live Asia Pacific event, where I will be speaking at a ‘New Zealand: Country update and trends’ panel session alongside University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Cheryl de la Rey and Deputy Editor of The PIE News UK, Kimberley Martin.
The session will discuss how New Zealand is poised for sustainable growth in international education and will cover the New Zealand International Education Going for Growth Plan and its ambitious target to double the value of international education by 2034.
For those of you attending the event, I look forward to seeing you there.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa
Let there be closeness, not distance
Ngā mihi nui,
Amanda Malu
Chief Executive
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AUT international students connect with senior citizens
A uniquely engaging initiative supported by New Zealand Police and AUT recently brought together international students and local senior citizens to connect in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The initiative was an outcome of a meeting of the Auckland Agency Group, of which Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao is a member and enabled international students to understand and start to integrate into local culture guided by senior residents and members of the wider Auckland community.
As the last 12 months have seen the welcome return of international students to our campuses and communities, New Zealand Police Ethnic Services teams around the country, including in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, have been busy engaging with international students in a number of ways.
Around 18 students met with 10 senior citizens at the Northbridge Residential Village.
The event helped international students engage with their local community, establishing intergenerational bonds, helped them access support networks, engage in cultural exchange, and actively participating in community affairs.
The event included a panel discussion involving members of Northbridge Residential Village, AUT international students, and New Zealand Police. The panel discussion unfolded in two key segments: the initial part addressed the dynamics of culture shock, while the subsequent portion revolved around the overarching themes of diversity and inclusion.
AUT Students Association, International Affairs Officer, Yun Ke, said that the AUT international student interaction with local senior citizens event was a great success.
“We have received immensely positive feedback from students about the event, which is exciting.
“This interaction saw double the participation by international students, as compared to a previously held event in September,” Ke said.
San Winkyi, an international student from Myanmar, was grateful to New Zealand Police for the way they supported the event.
“The police’s presence and assistance contributed significantly to the event's success, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to international student safety and wellbeing,” San said.
For Huabiao Xiao, an international student from China, the interaction was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate cultural differences while enjoying communicating with an open and inclusive local community of senior citizens.
“Spending time with local seniors and police officers was an amazing experience, far beyond anything I could have imagined. These elders are simply the epitome of local cultures and society, and I deeply appreciate their differences and uniqueness. At the same time, I appreciated how New Zealand police officers are committed to promoting a community culture,” Huabiao said.
Education providers with international students who are interested in organising a similar event are welcome to contact Faymie Li, faymieli@enz.govt.nz or Ross Crosson, ross.crosson@enz.govt.nz.
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New Zealand progressively reopens borders for international students in 2022 with new start in 2023
Note: The information in this story was correct at the time of publication, however, some steps in New Zealand's border reopening plan have now been brought forward. Click here to check the current border reopening steps.
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) welcomes the Government’s announcement to reopen New Zealand’s borders. This is a positive step for international education.
The announcement outlined a five-step process for reopening borders from 28 February 2022, initially for New Zealanders to return from Australia and then from the rest of the world.
The Government also announced a fourth border class exception for up to 5,000 international students to enter New Zealand for study from mid-2022, in addition to the earlier cohorts approved in 2020 and 2021.
From October 2022 normal visa processing will resume, enabling international students to enroll for study in New Zealand in 2023.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson says today’s announcement is an important step towards rebuilding a strengthened and sustainable international education sector. “The border reopening steps outlined today enable the international education sector to progressively open through 2022 for the existing cohorts, with a new much larger cohort able to enter New Zealand for study before semester two. More details of the new student cohort will be determined by the Ministers of Education and Immigration and advised in due course.
“There's also an opportunity for students from Visa Waiver countries such as Japan and South Korea to enter New Zealand from July for short visits of up to three months.
“The Government has demonstrated their commitment to international students and educational institutions in 2023, with normal visa processing resuming in October 2022. This means international students can plan towards being in New Zealand for courses starting in 2023.”
Mr. McPherson said education providers could now plan with greater certainty for the year ahead.
“It has been an incredibly challenging period for New Zealand education providers, international students, and those who support them. The sector has shown considerable patience as the borders were carefully managed to minimize the threat posed by COVID-19. Today’s announcement is an opportunity to rebuild and reshape the sector to meet the challenges ahead.”
Mr. McPherson said the innovation and diversification into online learning and delivery of courses offshore, including pathway programmes over the last few years, would remain a feature in the industry as it moved forward. Today's announcement also prepares the way for New Zealand students to resume international studies abroad in the future.
“All New Zealand education providers know the value of building international partnerships, and developing new ways of meeting student needs. These are important building blocks for future resilience and quality education outcomes.
“In addition, from 14 March 2022 students entering New Zealand through the border exception cohorts will have the opportunity to self-isolate, rather than going through Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities - subject to complying with all the required health and border requirements.”
Mr McPherson stressed the importance of seeking advice before moving forward with applications for enrolment. Students who have questions about this border class exception should contact their agent or preferred education provider in the first instance.
Students can also visit NauMai NZ, which provides useful information for international students in New Zealand or preparing to travel to New Zealand.
He rā ki tua – Better days are coming!
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Strengthening education links in US
The trip included speaking at the world’s largest annual international education conference (NAFSA), as well as interviews with international education media including Chronicle of Higher Education, PIE News, and Times Higher Education. Chris Hipkins also met with US government officials and education professionals from various organisations and institutions.
The trip began with an open forum discussion with New Zealand education representatives. Chris Hipkins responded to questions relating to the challenges New Zealand faces as it reopens and rebuilds its international education sector. He then met with Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado. Their discussion touched on commonalities between New Zealand and the State of Colorado and compared approaches to education reform and improving education outcomes for students, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. They also discussed the importance of research collaboration, particularly as it relates to STEM subjects and the global climate crisis. The meeting ended with agreement that deeper relationships between institutions in Colorado and New Zealand would be beneficial.
Speaking at the opening plenary at NAFSA, Chris Hipkins emphasised that New Zealand is once again ready to welcome international students. NAFSA leadership invited the Minister to a private reception after the plenary where they shared their enthusiasm for New Zealand reconnecting with the world. During his day at the Denver Convention Center, the Minister also took a tour of the conference exhibit hall, chatting with both New Zealand and international educators.
“It was wonderful for the Minister to get this chance to engage with our education providers and get a broader look at the international education field,” says Lisa Futschek, ENZ’s General Manager International. “It was great for him to see how well-regarded New Zealand’s education system is in the global international education ecosystem.”
Guests enjoying the New Zealand reception at NAFSA
Chris Hipkins then met with Deputy Assistant Secretaries of the US State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He reaffirmed New Zealand’s strong partnership with the US and the international education sector’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through our continued partnership with ECA around the Fulbright and Gilman scholarships, which enable students of limited financial means to study abroad.
“The Minister received a very warm welcome from our colleagues at the State Department who were excited to hear our borders are opening,” says Education Counsellor to the US and ENZ’s Regional Director to the Americas, Middle East and Europe, Amy Rutherford. “It’s great to have such a strong relationship with a government’s education agency committed to the same values that we are.”
A variety of organisations involved with the delivery of international education in the US also met with Chris Hipkins for a roundtable discussion. This covered the unique opportunities for New Zealand in the international education sector and what sets us apart from other countries and their education systems.
(l to r) Education Minister Chris Hipkins, Kahle Charles, Assistant Superintendent of Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, St Vrain Valley School District and Scott Cardwell, Co-founder and CEO, ImmerseMe. Mr Charles is signing the agreement between St Vrain and ImmerseMe.
On the final day of his visit, Chris Hipkins headed to Xero’s Denver headquarters to participate in a roundtable discussion with several principals and school superintendents in surrounding Denver school districts, as well as the New Zealand edtech company ImmerseMe and representatives from JillE Literacy. The conversation touched on the changing face of early childhood and school education due to COVID. Panellists were interested in the approaches and policies being implemented in New Zealand and all were agreed that we would benefit from working together and learning from each other to improve education outcomes. At the end of the roundtable, the Minister witnessed the signing of a seven-year partnership agreement between ImmerseMe and St. Vrain Valley School District, and the gifting of GlobalEd’s JillE Literacy books to roundtable participants.
The Minister’s involvement, along with the launch of the I AM NEW global marketing campaign, certainly helped lift New Zealand’s profile at NAFSA. There was a lot of interest inNew Zealand’s announcement of reconnecting with the world, and the eight universities and Te Pūkenga were kept busy meeting with partners each day of the conference.
The trip strengthened our connections with the international education community, including with US study abroad professionals recruiting students to study in New Zealand. As study abroad applications begin to open for January 2023 study, thanks to the Minister’s visit to NAFSA, the international education community will be well aware that New Zealand is ready to host students and can provide a unique and high-quality education experience.
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Around the world in five
Australia
The latest Agent Perception Survey from Navitas has demonstrated the impact of policy changes in Australia and Canada on demand and how the countries are viewed, and also shows that students are casting the net wider for higher education options and that demand for alternative destinations is growing.
India
Future of overseas education is set for major transformative shifts, driven by advancements in AI and immersive technologies. AI-led Virtual Reality tours are just one aspect that is set to revolutionise student exploration of overseas campuses.
South Korea
At the same time as leading Western destinations – e.g., Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom – are applying brakes to slow or reverse the expansion of their foreign enrolment, several Asian destinations are doing the opposite: pursuing policies to boost international enrolments to record-high levels. Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea have all set ambitious new international enrolment targets.
United Kingdom
The UK government is considering replacing the Secure English Language Test (SELT) with a Home Office-owned testing model as part of an overhaul of the language requirement for student visas.
United States
International applications to US institutions continued to grow in 2024/25, though at a slower pace than in previous years, a new survey published in August 2024 has revealed.
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Indigenous internationalisation a hot topic across North America
The topic of Indigenous Internationalisation has been proving a popular one at international education events across North America recently. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Associate Director of Engagement, Natalie Lulia, was asked to share her thoughts alongside experts in panel discussions in both the United States and Canada in May and June. The invitations offered a good opportunity to showcase the important work that Aotearoa New Zealand is doing in indigenous-to-indigenous engagement and internationalisation and our unique approaches to international education.
It was at the 76th annual NAFSA Association of International Educators conference in New Orleans that Natalie was first invited to take part in a panel talk on the subject “What is indigenous-led internationalisation?”. Natalie was joined on the panel by Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Otago, and Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
The panel explored how indigenous and non-Western knowledge and worldviews are essential for intercultural learning through the experiences and work of Māori education experts. The panel provided examples of how indigenous ways of knowing and being can enhance intercultural learning and what Indigenous-led internationalisation looks like in practice.
The panel was moderated by DuBois Jennings, ENZ’s Director of Engagement North America, who noted that the session was extremely well attended.
“It was very inspiring listening to our panel of experts share their thoughts with a very attentive audience. It was so popular that people were standing at the back, which is indicative of how the global international education community values our expertise in this area,” said DuBois.
A te ao Māori approach to education was then the feature of Chief Executive for Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, Professor Wiremu Doherty, who delivered a powerful keynote address at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver in June. Natalie joined Professor Doherty in a panel presentation on: ‘Talking Circle: Exploring the intersection between Internationalization, Indigenization, Decolonization and what it means to be Indigenous Serving.’ Also on the panel were Sarah Child and Kelly Shopland from North Island College in British Columbia, Canada who had recently returned from visiting Aotearoa New Zealand with a group of indigenous Canadian students in May.
ENZ’s Natalie Lulia participating in the panel discussion on ‘T Talking Circle: Exploring the intersection between Internationalization, Indigenization, Decolonization and what it means to be Indigenous Serving’ at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver in June.
Professor Wiremu Doherty, CE of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, delivers his keynote address on Māori education at the British Columbia International Education Week Conference in Vancouver in June.
Natalie said that it was an honour to have been invited to speak at both events, alongside experts who are the driving forces behind this work within iwi, universities, and government agencies in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“International educators around the world are showing increasing interest in the unique approach we take to international education here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are seen as a country that is leading the way in indigenous-to-indigenous engagement and internationalisation.
“These opportunities are not just a chance to share our experiences, but importantly an opportunity to learn from each other. We can learn from indigenous educators, thought leaders and communities here too - this is important in building reciprocal and meaningful partnerships,” said Natalie.
Natalie added that “This is a key area that Aotearoa New Zealand can leverage to support student mobility, research collaboration and partnerships with institutions around the globe. ENZ will continue to work with our education partners, Māori and indigenous communities and use these platforms to share our expertise and ultimately grow indigenous international education for our country”.
Upcoming platforms to continue showcasing Aotearoa New Zealand’s approach to indigenous internationalisation will take place at the next Global Inclusion 2024 Annual Conference in Washington DC on 29 October to 1 November. Then in March 2025, the ENZ North America team will be leading a one-day symposium highlighting indigenous international education at the Forum on Education Abroad conference in Toronto, Canada.
If anyone is interested in connecting with the ENZ team in North America to have a chat about this topic or receive further information, please email northamerica@enz.govt.nz.
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Around the world in five
GLOBAL
Beyond Covid-19: What’s Next for International Higher Ed
International education has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. As many international students pursue their studies online this semester, study abroad and foreign exchange programs have been cancelled. In a world with little travel, closed borders, and surging infections, many are asking: what is next for international higher ed?
CANADA
Canada to open borders to international students from Oct 20
International students will be able to enter Canada from October 20 if the institution they are studying at has a Covid-19 readiness plan approved by their local provincial or territorial government, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced.
GLOBAL
Fourth annual PIEoneer Award winners revealed in online ceremony
The fourth annual PIEoneers Awards was held on October 2, with the latest celebration of the international education sector held on a virtual stage for the first time due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. ENZ was a sponsor of the event and was awarded Highly Commended in the Student Support category.
AUSTRALIA
Killing the golden goose: How Australia's international students are being driven away
Just 4,062 student visa applications were received in June, compared to 34,015 last year. Current international students are telling others not to come to Australia.
CHINA
China’s Ministry of Education: Utilise the advantages of cooperation in running schools to solve the problems of studying abroad
To tackle these challenges, the Chinese Government responded quickly to pressing issues raised by its students.
Amongst all the interventions put forward, the expanded enrolment of Sino-foreign cooperation in running schools (hereafter referred to as joint programme or JP) attracted the greatest attention from the public.
According to the Q&A Session, Chinese students who are unable to travel overseas to pursue their study can either enrol in online learning organised by their foreign institutions (the recognition of their foreign qualification will not be affected), or the students who are enrolled with foreign universities will now have the chance to study JP at Chinese institutions.
The increased enrolment in JPs will not be included in the national unified enrolment plan, and will not take up the original enrolment quota of the higher education establishments. After completing their studies, students who meet the academic requirements will only be awarded a degree certificate from the foreign university.
If the student still would like to pursue their study overseas as soon as border restrictions are lifted, they should choose online learning by their foreign university, as indicated by China MoE.
About 90 JPs and joint institutes, including EIT, are on the list for expanded enrolment. The Master in Applied Finance programme offered by AUT and Zhejiang University of Economics and Finance is currently the only NZ programme that is on the list.
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Rise in international students rating New Zealand experience positively
In the 2024 International Student Experience Survey, students lifted their positive rating of their experience to 86 percent, two percent higher than the previous year.
In addition, the number of students who rated their experience as “excellent” lifted eight percent to 41 percent.
The results were announced today at the international education sector conference, NZIEC KI TUA, which was organised by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ).
Commenting on the survey results, ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons said the results demonstrate the high quality of the New Zealand education experience both inside and outside the classroom.
“That we have a significant increase in the number of students rating their overall New Zealand experience as excellent is something to be celebrated. The results are a reassuring testament to the ongoing recovery of the sector and our ability to deliver international students what they highly value in a study destination.
“We are delighted to see how positive students are about the people they meet and connections they form in New Zealand. This speaks strongly to the enriching ties these students will have to our country in the long run, and how we will benefit and learn from each other,” Dr Sissons said.
2024 sees the highest proportion of international students (41 percent) rating their overall New Zealand experience as ‘excellent’, up from 33 percent in 2023. This proportion is higher than any of the previous three surveys undertaken. This year also includes a much larger sample of 6,431 students compared to 4,755 students last year.
Students were most positive about the people and connections they experienced in New Zealand (90%), followed by education experience (87%), making study arrangements (87%), arrival and orientation (85%), and living experience (83%).
Students also positively rated their experience using an education agent, particularly their agent’s knowledge of their education provider’s application process (84%), New Zealand application options (81%) and how using an education agent reduced the time taken to complete their application (79%).
For further information:
Visit Tableau Public to access the data sets (login required) - International Student Experience Survey 2024 | Tableau Public
Visit ENZ's Intellilab for the full report - International Student Experience Survey 2024 Report | ENZ IntelliLab
Or contact:
Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
+64 21 479 649
Notes to Editors:
About the New Zealand International Student Experience Survey 2024
The New Zealand International Student Experience Survey aims to better understand the overall student experience for international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers as well as those who have recently completed their studies. The survey also aims to understand where improvements can be made to enhance the international student experience.
International students across all sectors and all stages of the student journey were invited to participate in this online survey. Fieldwork for this survey was conducted from 10 May to 4 June 2024 and included 6,431 respondents representing over 100 nationalities.
About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/
ENZ is the government agency dedicated to helping Aotearoa New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences and to encourage New Zealand students to study overseas.
With approximately 105 staff in 16 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (Te Pūkenga), and universities. Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.
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Kāpiti College’s doors are always open
With 83 students from 17 different countries currently enrolled, Kāpiti College’s international education programme is one of the largest in the Wellington region – no mean feat for a school ‘up the coast’ from Wellington city.
Theirs is an opportunities-focused approach, combined with strong ‘say yes, and work it out later’ attitude. Steve’s the first to admit it’s an approach that doesn’t suit everyone but, for now, it’s one that’s working for them.
This open and proactive way of working has seen them develop an array of innovative teaching methods and programmes to the benefit of both local and visiting students, including those with learning disabilities.
Interesting aspects and benefits of Kāpiti College’s programme include:
International class
Kāpiti College’s innovative approach to international education puts a strong emphasis on internationalising the Kiwi students, with a specialised ‘international’ class bring trialled this year. This Year 10 class sees Kiwi students learn social studies and English through an international lens and learn the basics of Mandarin and Thai language. International students join the class as they arrive during the year.
There is some competition to get into this class, with those who are successful being given the opportunity to travel to China and Thailand later in the year.
One such student, Max Ross, was awarded a scholarship to spend three and a half weeks at Pibulwitthayalai School in Thailand. Steve Burt visited Thailand a short time later to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the school, formalising the partnership between the schools and creating the foundation for a long-term engagement.
Pathways
Other education providers in the region also reap the rewards of Kāpiti’s successful international programme, with many Kāpiti College students choosing to remain in the area and enrol with them.
The aviation programme offered by the school in conjunction with Kāpiti Air Academy has proved just the hook to entice one of Kāpiti College’s international students to further his education in New Zealand.
The school also offers academies for golf, swimming, basketball and rugby.
Special programmes
The flexible and open approach of Kāpiti College’s international team has seen them host foreign students with dyslexia and other learning challenges. The smaller class sizes and specialist teaching ensures these students aren’t left behind and they feel welcomed by their peers and the staff.
Community engagement
Kāpiti College’s programme is supported by a strong homestay community. This creates a real sense of welcome for the students and brings about a strong understanding within the community as a whole of the value of international education.
The broad reach of the school’s engagement with the wider community has seen them build a strong relationship with a local Chinese real estate agent who acts as a willing ambassador for the college’s education programmes on her visits to China.
Offshore government engagement
Paul and Steve have worked at making good connections at a government level too, with the Thai Ambassador to New Zealand, H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, recently visiting Kāpiti College and praising their achievements in teaching Thai language and culture. The Ambassador also invited the families of the 17 College students soon to travel to Thailand to visit The Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington where he will provide them with an orientation programme.
The future looks bright for Kāpiti College’s ongoing success in it international programme but there’s one thing Steve is only too aware of: “We can’t take things for granted. It’s important to keep our eye on the ball as far as the student experience goes, as well as maintaining regular and meaningful contact with offshore stakeholders.”
H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Ambassador of Thailand to New Zealand meets with Kāpiti College’s International Thai Students
