Search

Showing 10 of 1837 results for how to register international groups

ISANA - Enhancing international student experiences
The ISANA New Zealand Annual Conference held at AUT University in Tāmaki Makaurau last month provided the perfect forum to address the challenges of strengthening capability and ensuring sustainability as the sector addresses ways in which to grow international education.
A key feature of the conference was the presentation of a new online ‘Capability Toolkit’ - a collaboration between ISANA NZ and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). Developed as a resource for education practitioners, the toolkit presents strategies, tools, tips, guidelines, case studies, scenarios and more to assist with every facet of engagement with international learners.
ENZ’s General Manager Sector Services, Sahinde Pala, said that the conference provided a great opportunity to reconnect face-to-face with professional colleagues.
“We all enjoyed the opportunity to exchange experiences and hear from frontline practitioners how the rebuild of the sector is going from their perspective. It was a great opportunity to connect with those relatively new to the sector and let them know the role of ENZ and the resources available to assist them in their role.”
“It was also encouraging to see our industry coming together to collectively focus on improving our services for students. The Capability Toolkit is an important, practical resource that will assist education practitioners provide even better support for our international learners.”
The Capability Toolkit provides links to resources in the following areas:
1. Wraparound tailored support for international students
2. Critical incident management for international students
3. Innovative leadership in international education
4. Intercultural competence in educational contexts
5. Student experience information for agents.
ENZ is continuing to work with ISANA to further develop the Capability Toolkit and other content will be added over time. In the meantime, anyone who has not had a chance to look at the toolkit, can explore this further on ISANA NZ’s website here.

Vaelyn L, International Student Representative (second from left) with ENZ representatives at the ISANA conference Ross Crosson, Student Experience Manager, Sahinde Pala, General Manager Sector Services, and Faymie Li, Senior Advisor Student Experience
Around the world in five

Asia

Non-recruitment based engagement key to engaging young Indians (thepienews.com)

A shift towards non-recruitment based engagement with Indian schools could be key to better managing student expectations, stakeholders have suggested. Those who have done it well – particularly schools in the US – have created engagement through faculty, immersion trips, experiential learning opportunities, curriculum engagement and alumni, The PIE learned.

North America

British Columbia releases details of new Provincial Attestation Letter system under Canada's international student cap

British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, and a leading destination for international students within Canada. On 1 March, the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills released details of how the international student cap will be applied within the province's education system.

Europe

Experts challenge assumption of too many overseas students

A new paper from a group of experts, including three former universities ministers, challenges suggestions that the United Kingdom has too many international students and warns that the government is using out-of-date data to predict the number of overseas students expected to come to the UK for their higher education.

Africa

Visa settings a "significant barrier" for Africans seeking to study abroad (thepienews.com)

International educators need to prepare for ‘The Africa Decade’, where enrolment growth rates of African students globally are expected to hit their fastest rates over the next 10 years. Modelling suggested African students will account for one in eight international students by 2050, but visa rejections are seriously hampering efforts to enrol students from across the continent.

Oceania

IDP survey: major policy changes prompting students to reconsider destination

International students are more open to switching destinations following recent government policy changes in three of the top destinations – Australia, Canada and the UK, with the UK most affected and the USA looking set to benefit, according to a student survey conducted by global higher education-focused agency group IDP Education.
PIF Recipient: Tokona te Raki

Tokona te Raki has already led some brave pioneering work, such as challenging streaming in schools based on evidence it has a largely negative impact on Māori students, more often perpetuating inequity, rather than reducing it. They are working on indigenous youth pathways into digital futures, understanding future tribal skill needs and honing tribal innovation models.

With global challenges like climate change, shifting population demographics and the impact of technology all combining to create both uncertainty and opportunity, the future is there for the taking – or rather the shaping.

Tokona te Raki is an indigenous social innovation lab operating under the mana of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. With over 76,000 registered tribal members and a territory covering over 80 percent of New Zealand’s South Island /Te Waipounamu, Ngāi Tahu is the largest iwi / tribe in Te Waipounamu.

With Māori youth being the fastest growing sector of the Aotearoa New Zealand population, Tokona te Raki is on a mission to tackle inequities they face in their journey through education and into enterprise and employment. Through projects with whānau, communities, and external partners, rangatahi are equipped and empowered with the tools and support to shape and be inspired by their futures, succeeding as Māori.

Their latest project is an ambitious one: to reimagine international education. With support from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) as a Tiriti partner, through the International Education Product Innovation Fund, this vision to reshape indigenous education is moving closer over the horizon with a view towards a future where youth are confident, competent, and connected both tribally and globally.

‘Indigenous Future Making’ is a pilot project to reimagine the future of international education towards an indigenous vision of a tribal and global learning network. Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) and its knowledge systems create an identity unique to Aotearoa and sees the future as an opportunity rather than an inevitability.

To frame the project, Tokona te Raki has identified several ‘shifts’ that transform what international education can deliver for indigenous communities and learners. From colonial and Euro-centric to diverse, indigenous, and global; from physical, site-based delivery to place based and virtual delivery; from fixed-duration courses to lifelong learning; from rational (IQ) intelligence to emotional, cultural, and digital intelligence; and from narrow credentialling to flexible and adaptive credentialling.

Instead of framing international education through an economic lens and thinking of international learners in terms of revenue extraction, the pilot project imagines values-based value generation, a reciprocal, two-way street of learners travelling both into and out of Aotearoa New Zealand, education contributing to global challenges and collective action, and Aotearoa New Zealand being recognised for its unique value proposition: a caring, safe, secure, innovative and culturally relevant education provider.

The project will deliver an indigenous future-making framework, backed up with a toolkit and a curriculum. An online platform will be explored to serve as an indigenous knowledge exchange, facilitating the transfer of knowledge between and within Māori and other indigenous cultures.

Tokona Te Raki is among a range of pilot projects supported by ENZ’s Covid Response and Recovery Fund funded product and service diversification workstream. This New Zealand Government-funded initiative to encourages the development of new products and services in the international education sector.

The project explores how Aotearoa New Zealand can offer indigenous solutions to global challenges, such as climate change and social inequality. More than a funding contributor, ENZ is working with Tokona te Raki to explore what being a good Tiriti partnership should look like to best support and realise the full potential of an Iwi led project, leveraging each other’s networks and capabilities. The learnings from Indigenous Future Making, and the other pilots, will be shared for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand’s wider international education sector, encouraging other education providers and organisations to keep innovating for the future.

Learn more:

Learn more about Tokona Te Raki
New Zealand star of the show in leading Brazilian international education magazine

In late April, the Consulate-General of New Zealand in São Paulo welcomed professionals from the international education sector for the launch of Belta's magazine ei – International Education. The event served to celebrate New Zealand as the magazine's feature country and was attended by government officials and Brazilians who studied in New Zealand institutions and now hold prominent positions in their professional fields.

Belta (Brazilian Language and Travel Association) brings together the leading Brazilian agencies offering travel programmes focused on international education. Agents associated with Belta are recognised for the safety and excellence of the services they provide to students.

The New Zealand delegation from Universities New Zealand, composed of representatives from five of the country's eight universities, and CAPES LATAM were present at the Consulate for the magazine launch event during their stay in Brazil for strategic meetings at FAUBAI 2024, Brazil's largest conference focusing on higher education.

ENZ’s Bruna Natale with the delegates from New Zealand.

Belta's publication is a quality reference for those seeking information about studying abroad. It is published annually and serves as a guide for those interested in experiencing international education. It is distributed at exchange fairs, travel agencies, and schools throughout the year. This is the third time that Belta's magazine has featured New Zealand's international education on its cover.

The guests were welcomed by the Ambassador of New Zealand in Brazil, Richard Prendergast, the market development manager of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) in Brazil, Bruna de Natale, and Belta's president, Alexandre Argenta.

"Aotearoa New Zealand is open to Brazilian students, offering excellent education, institutions that prepare for future challenges, and a great quality of life, with safe cities and a friendly population," said Ambassador Prendergast at the event's opening.

Guests watch Ambassador Richard Prendergast’s speech.

Bruna de Natale states, "Highlighting New Zealand education in Belta's magazine is essential for Brazilians to be aware of the quality of education offered in Aotearoa New Zealand." Bruna also emphasises that "the magazine directly engages with the audience interested in studying abroad, reaching exchange fairs and agencies from all regions of Brazil, so it is a strategic visibility for positioning the quality of New Zealand education."

Representatives from exchange agencies who attended the reception conversed with members of the Universities New Zealand delegation and Brazilians who had studied in New Zealand.

"We have strong connections with Latin America in general, and especially with Brazil, but we want to strengthen and expand these partnerships," said Bronwen Kelly, Deputy Chief Executive of Universities New Zealand. Participating in strategic events, like today's launch and the FAUBAI conference, is a significant step towards bringing our institutions closer together and paving the way for academic exchange," Bronwen added.

In addition to Alexandre Argenta, Maura Leão, Director of International Relations at Belta, attended the event. Both were in New Zealand in March on a familiarisation trip organised by ENZ to introduce the country as an education destination.

"I've just returned from a fantastic experience in New Zealand," said Maura Leão during the event. "It's a country with many wonderful opportunities for students. I visited schools, universities, English language schools, and high schools. The experience was very positive. For us who work in education, it's essential to have this opportunity to share impressions with families who want to send their children to study abroad," said the executive.

The online version of the magazine can be found here: Revista ei! 2024 by Associação Belta - Issuu

Bruna de Natale with Belta’s International Relations Director, Maura Leão.
Message from Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Penny Simmonds

It’s good to reflect on ENZ’s New Zealand International Education Strategy (NZIES), “to enable a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class international education.”

I am delighted to say that with the increase in the numbers of overseas students we are on track to deliver on that strategy.

There have been 59,306 international student enrolments for Jan - August 2023, a 43% increase compared to the full year in 2022.

And New Zealanders' understanding of the economic and social benefits of international students was reflected in a survey late in December 2023 by Ipsos which showed 75% percent of New Zealanders believe that overseas students benefit New Zealand. This is up from 47% in 2019.

An increase in the number of international students from all over the world is positive as it brings in vital revenue for institutions and the country, but it also has the spinoff of creating a wonderful cosmopolitan element to campus life.

New Zealand is a small country and for many students, rubbing shoulders with people from other cultures will give them a greater understanding of the issues facing our complex world. In this time of fragile geopolitics, the melting pot of campus life can help build greater understanding and tolerance.

In turn Kiwi students also can be champions for our own country as they share their knowledge, experience and friendship with the overseas students.

The quality education that our institutions provide also enhances our global society by upskilling and educating all students to take on international work opportunities which inevitably spreads New Zealand’s values and influence throughout our world.

Hon Penny Simmonds
Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills
From the Acting Chief Executive: Cold temperatures, warm hearts

Tēnā koutou katoa

As a recent “polar blast” bought frost and icy conditions across New Zealand, my thoughts turned to the international students who arrived here in the warmth of summer. Living a long way from home in a different country is challenging enough without being subjected to freezing conditions. The good news is that all our research and everything we hear from our international students is that the welcome and manaakitanga they receive is universally warm.

In our Student Experience survey of 4,755 international students from the end of last year, 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.

Last Wednesday, along with our Chair, Tracey Bridges, we appeared before the Education and Workforce Select Committee comprising nine Members of Parliament. This happens every year. As a government agency it is part of reporting to Parliament. I am extremely heartened by the level of interest all the committee members had in international education. It is good to know the sector has advocates within Parliament.

Tracey has recently returned from Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines as a member of the business delegation supporting Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon. Education was a big part of the Prime Minister’s itinerary, and it was great to have Tracey in the delegation. Throughout the entire trip we took every opportunity to emphasise the benefits of international education to the Prime Minister. A good example was in Thailand where ENZ hosted a series of engagements, including the New Zealand Alumni Networking Event. At this event the Prime Minister met 25 accomplished New Zealand alumni, who have made substantial contributions to the bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Thailand. You can read more about the visit in our E-News article here.

New Zealanders going offshore for an experience is an important part of international education and ENZ’s work. It is pleasing then to see 60 applications for the group round of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia and Latin America that closed 19 April 2024. Of the 60, 22 were for Latin America and 38 for Asia. The applications are being assessed and successful scholarship recipients will be determined in a few weeks’ time.

In summary it has been, as it always is, a busy and productive month across international education. May will be no different.

Waiho kia pātai ana, he kaha ui te kaha

Let the questioning continue; the ability of the person is in asking questions.

Keep warm everyone.

Dr Linda Sissons
Acting Chief Executive
Education New Zealand targets $4.4 billion by 2027
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) today announced its plan to grow the international education sector over the next three years. The strategy, which aims to build the economic contribution of international education to $4.4 billion by 2027, focuses on growing and diversifying the number of international students studying in New Zealand.

“International education has made a good start to its recovery with more than 69,000 enrolments in the first full academic year since borders reopened and universities returning to 86% of pre-pandemic numbers,” said ENZ Acting Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons today.

“The government has a goal of doubling the value of export earnings in ten years and international education has its part to play.”

“In the first year of the strategy the focus is putting additional investment into markets we have identified with growth potential. These include India, Viet Nam, and the Philippines, and some specific sectors within markets like Japan and Thailand. We need to start now to grow awareness of New Zealand in these markets if we are to achieve our growth targets. Moving forward, we will continue to seek growth through diversifying markets while maintaining our strength in traditional markets such as China and India.”

“As a small agency with a finite budget, ENZ needs to be very smart and maximise every opportunity for New Zealand,” said Dr Sissons.  “We look to use the potential of Scale, Impact, and Leverage as the measuring rods for everything we do, as we commit to the Government’s Export Double goal”.

The strategy is the result of extensive consultation with the international education sectors, partner Government agencies and comes on the back of a productive 12 months for Education New Zealand.

In the past 12 months Education New Zealand student attraction activities have delivered:
- More than two million visits to the Study with New Zealand website
- Added more than 69,000 prospective students to its database
- More than 22,000 individuals have made enquiries to providers regarding study
- Our business-to-business activities targeting education agents delivered 33 webinars to over 1,800 participants
- 18 in-country events delivered in five countries (Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China)
- The New Zealand International Education Conference KI TUA 2023 to 599 delegates
- 50 new indigenous to indigenous networks and partnerships
- Sector satisfaction with ENZ topped 77%
ENZ’s offshore team provides significant support to overseas visits by representatives of the international education sector and the New Zealand government, building and deepening relationships said Dr Sissons. In 2024 this included a visit by representatives of all New Zealand Universities to India in February, and ENZ supporting the education component of the Prime Ministerial Trade Missions to Southeast Asia and Japan.

The agency also supports education visits to New Zealand. Very recently this included the visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, which included China’s Education Minister Huai Jinpeng.

It was the second visit by Minister Huai to New Zealand in ten months, and highlighted the strong momentum our bilateral education relationship. In 2023 ENZ also delivered the Prime Minister’s Scholarships to Asia and Latin America (PMSA/LA) which sees New Zealanders travel internationally for learning experiences and administers the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship programme for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The Manaaki Scholarships offers scholarships to eligible citizens from developing countries to study at a New Zealand education institution or university or at a Pacific university.

In 2023 these important programmes have awarded:
- 118 individual PMSA/LA scholarships
- 20 group PMSA/LA scholarships
- NZIEC KI TUA 2023 delivered with 599 delegates
- 861 Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships awarded
“I am very pleased and proud of the results the team at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao has delivered alongside the sector. We have more to do,” said Dr Sissons.

For further information:  

Justin Barnett | Director of Communications, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao   

justin.barnett@enz.govt.nz

+64 21 875 132 

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.   
Update from Immigration New Zealand
New Immigration New Zealand website now live

The new Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website is now live, with clearer information and guidance to help INZ customers navigate their immigration journey more easily.

The new visual design and structure makes it easier for customers to know what the visa process means for them and how to apply for a visa and comply with their visa conditions.

Visit the new INZ website.

Apply early to get ahead of the student visa peak

Applying for a student visa at least three months before intended travel date gives students the best chance to have a decision made in time for their study.

The processing of student visas is a priority for INZ, particularly as it gets closer to peak times.

Immigration New Zealand is in the mid-year student visa processing peak, which is between May and August each year.

Applications take longer to be decided during this peak period, so it is important that students apply early if they want to come to New Zealand to study. 

Wait times for international student visa applications are published in our visa wait times section.

Student visa wait times

Help us process applications faster

To help INZ process applications quicker and avoid unnecessary delays, students should provide full and complete applications, including all necessary documentation.

Students can use our student visa information sheets to make sure their application has all the information and documentation required.

Student visa information sheet – first-time international students

Student visa information sheet – continuing international students

If students apply late, their application may not be processed in time for their study in New Zealand.

Due to the high volume of visa applications expected, we will not contact students if documents are missing from their application. If the missing information is key to the assessment, then the application may be declined.  

Student visas moving to enhanced Immigration Online

From 18 August 2025, international student visa applications are moving to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system.

The aim is a simpler, faster and more user-friendly visa application process to reduce waiting times, provide clear communication on application statuses, and increase self-service capabilities so everyone feels more informed and better supported.

How applications during this transition will be managed

As we are in a peak period for student visa applications, we encourage applicants to submit applications when they are ready, and at least 3 months ahead of the intended travel date to help avoid delays that may impact them starting their study on time.

There are some important things applicants need to know if they are submitting an international student visa application around August 2025.

If applicants start a new draft application on or before 17 August, they will be applying in our current system. They will need to submit the application by 17 September, otherwise the draft application will expire.

If they start an application on or after 18 August, they will be automatically directed to our new system.

Please read our news item for more detailed information on the visas affected and the transition process.

Learn more
Corporate publications
Download Education New Zealand’s Statement of Intent and Annual Report and the International Education Strategy 2022-2030.

ENZ is committed to transparent reporting, and our Chief Executive’s expenditure can also be downloaded below.
Previous publications
Chief Executive’s expenditure
Cities bid international students haere mai
Students from all over the world who are taking the first steps in their New Zealand education journey were extended a warm haere mai in Christchurch and Wellington recently.
A warm Wellington welcome
Around 600 new international students were welcomed to Wellington on Wednesday 16 March at a lively event at Pipitea Marae.
While the weather was cool, the Ngāti Pōneke pōwhiri was warm. The students – some wearing their national dress – were treated to a rousing kapa haka performance followed by a traditional Kiwi barbeque, and were given the chance to capture the moment in a Wellington-themed photo booth and take part in poi lessons.
The Mayor of Wellington, Celia Wade-Brown, welcomed the international students to the creative capital and promoted the opportunities for both study and work in the city.
The arrival of this most recent cohort boosts the international student population in Wellington to more than 5,600, injects an estimated additional $17 million in to the Wellington region’s economy and brings enormous cultural and social benefits to the region’s education institutions and communities.
A colourful Christchurch greeting

Students who have chosen Christchurch as their education destination were embraced in a similar style, at an event hosted by Christchurch Educated on Thursday 7 April.
A pōwhiri at the Te Puna Wānaka marae at Ara Institute of Canterbury set the warm and welcoming scene and was followed up by a greeting from Mayor Lianne Dalziel. During her address, Ms Dalziel acknowledged the important role played by Christchurch’s International Student Ambassadors; and referred to success of the Indian Skills Scholarships.
As in Wellington, the international students had the opportunity to pick up some kapa haka and poi skills.
Canterbury welcomes more than 9,500 international students each year, contributing an estimated $253 million to the regional economy.