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INZ student visa update: July 2024
Visa processing update (as at 10 July 2024).
Since January 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 24,541 student visa applications from international students outside of New Zealand. INZ have completed 20,369 of these applications, with 15,242 approved.
Recent processing times for international student visa applications are published on the INZ website and are updated by month: Visa processing times for international students
Work rights available for more partners of students
In June, the Government expanded the eligibility for work visas for partners of some students studying towards a Green List occupation.
People can now apply for a Partner of Student Work Visa, with open work rights, if their partner is studying a specified level 7 or 8 bachelor’s or bachelor’s (honours) degree that will lead directly to professional registration required for a Green List role.
This relates to Green List roles where occupational registration, rather than qualification requirements, are specified, such as nurses, doctors, and teachers.
For people granted a Partner of Student Work Visa, any school-aged dependents they have will be considered domestic students for tuition fee purposes and can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa.
End of year student visa peak – Apply early!
The processing of international student visas is a key focus for INZ, particularly as we get closer to the end of the year.
INZ receives the highest volumes of student visa applications between October and March. Applications generally take longer to be decided during this peak period, so it is important that anyone who is wanting to come to New Zealand to study next year applies early. It is recommended students apply three months before their intended travel date to give them the best chance of having their application decided in time.
There are a few things applicants can do to make sure their application is able to be processed as quickly as possible. These include:
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Check out INZ’s student visa information sheet on the INZ website to make sure a good quality application is submitted that includes all the evidence and supporting documents we need to decide the application. INZ will not be contacting applicants to ask for more information during the peak processing period, so it is important that everything is included from the start.
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Applicants must demonstrate that they can comfortably afford to study in New Zealand. New Zealand has a thorough funds assessment and INZ looks for genuine sources of funds that are credible and can be verified. If INZ cannot verify funds or is not satisfied that any verification would be genuine, then the application will be declined.
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INZ is seeing decline rates for international student visas increasing for many markets due to the increase in applications that cannot meet immigration requirements, so make sure the requirements are fully understood before submitting an application.
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International education during the pandemic – what we’ve learned
Education New Zealand held a webinar in its Kōrerorero: Conversations that Matter series at the Conference of the Americas on International Education – drawing academics and decision-makers from around the world.
Leading academics from Victoria University of Wellington, Auckland University of Technology, Massey University and Lincoln University explained the New Zealand approach to the challenges of distance learning and the innovations they discovered during the toughest moments.
Associate Professor Arun Elias, Associate Dean of International and Accreditation at Victoria University’s Wellington School of Business and Government, said while student-to-student interactions had fallen, digital platforms were opening up new ways of doing things.
“We had two PhD examinations which were completely online. We had one PhD student from Victoria being examined in an oral examination by an examiner in Colombia. Also, I was an examiner for a PhD student in the University of Sao Paulo, so that was something which we usually don't do which was a very unique experience.”
Dr Elias quoted a famous Māori proverb: “What is the most important thing in the world? It’s the people, it's the people, it's the people.”
Professor Guy Littlefair, Pro Vice-Chancellor International and Dean of Faculty at Auckland University of Technology, said lockdowns demanded change on many fronts.
“We've all had to learn how to be much more innovative around how we deliver programmes, but also how we conduct research and particularly how we engage with our partners right across the world.
“So, coming out of the pandemic I actually think we have more things in common than we've ever done before.”
Associate Professor Kerry Taylor, Head of School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication at Massey University, said the difficulties had the potential to deepen relationships.
“There are a lot of lessons that we can share, but also learn from our partners, in terms of the importance of agreements and things like that.
“But I think one of the important things we need to make sure (of) is that we don't treat the relationship simply as an economic one. It's got to be about cultural understanding; it's got to be about shared values and sharing values and aspirations to bring people into the conversation.”
Professor Hugh Bigsby, Dean of the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce at Lincoln University, said the pandemic was a chance to find new ways to make human connections.
“One of the wonderful things about international connections and the importance of it is that you learn other institutions’ cultures.
People use the same fundamental skills and ideas a little bit differently and by mixing with other people’s understanding – why they're doing what they're doing – it actually helps inform things that you do back home.”
Watch the full webinar – Kōrerorero: Internationalisation for growing partnerships, a New Zealand perspective.
Education New Zealand was a platinum sponsor at the Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI). This continental forum brings together the main actors and decision-makers on the internationalisation of higher education in the Americas to chart the future of academic cooperation in the region.
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Talkin’ ‘bout a Generation
Around 300,000 US students study overseas each year, and, recognising the value of international education, the US has strong plans to increase this number. Last year the Institute of International Education (IIE) launched the Generation Study Abroad initiative, which aims to have 600,000 US students studying overseas by the end of this decade.
In April last year, ENZ committed as a foreign government partner to the initiative, and pledged to double the number of US students studying in New Zealand by 2020 (in 2014, there were almost 2,500 US students enrolled at New Zealand institutions).
The inaugural Summit on Generation Study Abroad was held in Washington, D.C. in October. As part of the New Zealand commitment to the Generation Study Abroad initiative, ENZ hosted one of four official receptions at the New Zealand Embassy.
Four New Zealand universities, Waikato, Auckland, Otago and Canterbury, attended the Summit.
“Being asked to host a Summit reception was a recognition of the strong support New Zealand has given to the Generation Study Abroad initiative,” said Amy Rutherford, International Market Manager, North America.
“The US wants to increase the number of its students studying abroad at all levels – including from schools, community colleges and universities – and New Zealand is well-positioned to work with US institutions to host US students.”
The second IIE Summit on Generation Study Abroad will take place in Washington, DC in September/October 2016. Check here for more details.
If you’re interested in becoming an official commitment partner to the Generation Study Abroad initiative, email Amy at amy.rutherford@enz.govt.nz
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PIF Recipient: Te Whare Hukahuka
Ka Hao is one of the successful initiatives to receive funding through the International Education Product Innovation Fund, a New Zealand Government-funded initiative designed to reimagine what an education from Aotearoa New Zealand can look like and mean for global learners.
With Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) - New Zealand's government agency for international education and the kaitiaki of the Product Innovation Fund – onboard as a partner, Ka Hao is set to grow and create impact beyond our horizons, empowering and developing indigenous entrepreneurs across Australia and the South Pacific.
Te Whare Hukahuka (meaning the House of Innovation) is an Auckland-based indigenous social enterprise on a mission to improve the lives of 10 million indigenous peoples. Across a six-year-long track record, Te Whare Hukahuka has run programmes and delivered training in governance, business coaching, innovation, and rangatahi (youth) development.
Through indigenous leadership, Te Whare Hukahuka is proving that enterprises owned and managed by indigenous communities can be financially successful, create positive social outcomes, respect the environment, and uplift the culture of local communities.
That’s exactly what Ka Hao, Te Whare Hukahuka’s latest initiative, delivers on. Ka Hao is a ‘by indigenous, for indigenous’ e-commerce programme. Across 18 weeks learners design, build, launch and grow their own e-commerce system selling products and services to the world. Although the programme is delivered online, Ka Hao supports and engages its learners with a pastoral care team of more than 50 people – a unique point of difference which sets Ka Hao apart from other education offerings. By enhancing the support for learners, Te Whare Hukahuka aims to create an engaging learner experience and significantly boost programme competition rates and graduation results.
Well-resourced learner support is just part of what makes Ka Hao different from traditional education offerings. Everything about Ka Hao has been designed to create a learning environment that is culturally sensitive, safe, and respectful of the historical, social, cultural, geographic and economic factors that have left indigenous peoples in a disadvantaged position near the bottom of wellbeing indicators, both in New Zealand and other countries.
With more than 500 Māori learners already on the waiting list for this year’s Ka Hao programme, Te Whare Hukahuka is looking to bring the Ka Hao kaupapa to indigenous peoples beyond Aotearoa. The funding provided by ENZ through the Product Innovation Fund will enable Te Whare Hukahuka to research, pilot, test and evolve their first education offering across 16 Pacific countries. The target audience is new and existing indigenous business owners.
The International Education Product Innovation Fund is also supporting six other pilot projects from both established and emerging education providers around New Zealand. Together, the pilots reimagine what a New Zealand education offering can look like for global learners. In the case of Ka Hao, the pilot will explore how providers such as Te Whare Hukahuka can weave Māori knowledge and worldview into an education offering that is culturally relevant and responsive for indigenous learners in other countries.
As New Zealand’s dedicated agency for international education, ENZ is working with all the fund recipients in a partnership approach, building mutual benefit and reciprocity. The lessons learned through the pilot projects will be shared for the benefit of New Zealand’s whole international education sector, contributing to a broader and more diverse understanding of what international education can do for New Zealand, as well as the global learners who trust us.
More information:
Visit Ka Hao’s Youtube Channel to see over 4700 videos from their indigenous alumni
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New Zealand Global Competence Certificate programme proves a hit
What is New Zealand’s Global Competence Certificate programme?
The customised cultural exchange programme, which started as a pilot partnership last year between New Zealand’s international education agency, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. has proved so successful it is now being extended and taken up by schools and tertiary institutions around the country, connecting them with students in Asia and Latin America.
The “Kiwi way” has much to offer the world, and international education has much to offer New Zealanders at a time the world needs people with cross-cultural competencies. The New Zealand Global Competence Certificate, delivered through Massey University, develops cultural self-awareness, emotional resilience, and build bridges across cultures. It also piques the interest of students offshore in coming to New Zealand in better times.
The programme delivers animated videos, quizzes, assignments, and weekly live facilitated dialogue sessions for learners to talk with each other online in real time and learn about life from perspectives other than their own.
What have students been saying about the NZGCC programme?
“Not only have I learned to become a better communicator, empathiser, and global citizen, but also how a group of like-minded individuals can come together to form something bigger,” says Jack Hittle, of Northland’s Springbank School.
“I found the programme life-changing,” says Vaagisha Kanwar, a Year 11 student at Indus International School in Bangalore, India, who connected with the Northland students. “We learned about conflict, empathy, inequality, different communication styles, how different people adapt to new situations, and about suspending judgement. I know that I’ll use the skills we’ve learned for the rest of my life, not just when I travel abroad but also in daily life.”
"You see the way a culture greets each other or the way they dress, but then there are things like relationships, gender roles, and health,” says Whanganui Girls College student Tilda Donson.
What have educators been saying about the NZGCC programme?
Whanganui Girls College Principal Sharon Steer is delighted with the NZGCC programme, which she says will help students build their understanding of global cultures, and other critical “soft” skills which will prepare them for life as they enter the workforce.
“An important part of our curriculum is developing strong communication skills and setting our students up for success in the workplace. The NZGCC programme will add another dimension to our lessons by teaching our students how to develop meaningful relationships with one another despite language and cultural differences.”
Educators say that with the borders closed, the programme now forms an important part of the reshaped international education experience.
“It is so important that our students don’t miss out on the enriching life skills that are gained when we interact and connect with people from around the globe,” says Whangarei Girls High School International Director Amelia Morrison, who has students working with peers in India.
"Global competence is mission-critical for our world," says AFS Intercultural Programs President and CEO Daniel Obst. “Educating more young people to become global citizens is crucial if we want to create a more just and peaceful world.”
The expansion of the GCC programme reflects the diversification of education in new virtual forms fit for a globally connected world, says Education New Zealand Chief Executive Grant McPherson.
“As well as helping to develop the global citizens of tomorrow, this programme demonstrates the reciprocal benefits of international education, giving our rangatahi a chance to learn with high school students from around the world, and giving their offshore peers a chance to learn ‘with’ New Zealand and our unique way of thinking.”
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Large contingent of New Zealand education providers at China’s biggest international education events
Kicking off the series of events was the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE) in Beijing from 26 to 28 October. Over 4500 participants from 60 countries and regions attended CACIE 2023. This event is China’s largest annual international education conference and this year saw 16 New Zealand providers spanning all our education subsectors exhibiting at the ENZ hosted New Zealand Pavilion.
New Zealand’s representation was amongst a total of 18 national pavilions and 326 education providers from 33 countries and regions. An estimated 20,480 attended the CEE Beijing fair in person over the two days and our participation generated visibility and fostered relationships with speaking appearances, media interviews and engagement with senior Chinese stakeholders during the conference.
ENZ’s Regional Director, China, Michael Zhang said that the highlight of the government-sponsored event was having New Zealand being offered speaking slots for several keynotes, helping raise the visibility of a New Zealand education to a wide audience, especially given the level of competition from other countries at the Expo.
“The New Zealand pavilion once again secured the prime spot in the expo and during the conference, a reflection of our excellent in-market and government relationships and an important factor in helping to regain New Zealand's visibility in China’s international education sector.
“The student mobility activity in China has come roaring back this year following the pandemic. The market is huge, but competition is fierce. A few key takeaways from this major event were how student enquiries are becoming much more outcomes driven, career focused and detailed in comparison around offerings, compared to the start of the year where students had more broad questions about a New Zealand education.
“It’s also clear students in China are increasingly shopping around and applying to more study destinations before making a decision. This suggests we need to strengthen our efforts around conversion to ensure we remain competitive, and students will choose New Zealand when faced with offers from multiple destinations” added Michael.
ENZ’s Regional Director, China, Michael Zhang, undertook several media interviews, including with tier one Chinese education media channels Study Abroad magazine and China Education Television. ENZ also facilitated media interviews between Chinese media and New Zealand providers at our national pavilion.
Following the China Education Expo, a series of agent seminars were held in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou between 30 October and 3 November.
The Beijing Agent Seminar hosted 38 providers and 80 agents and school counsellors with more counsellors from the international departments of public schools attending than in previous years. New Zealand Ambassador to China, HE Grahame Morton, attended the event and four representatives of Immigration New Zealand’s Beijing office were also on hand to engage with agents and delivered a series of presentations. These in-market presentations attracted full houses across the Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou events – reflecting a strong demand for capacity building from Chinese agents. Much of the interest was focused on student visa applications and processing, decision times, and troubleshooting issues.
Attendees at the Beijing Agent Seminar
The Shanghai Agent Seminar saw over 100 agents meeting with the 40 New Zealand Education providers present, with New Zealand Consul-General Ardi Barnard providing opening remarks. An on-site livestream session reached 2,566 viewers across five platforms earning over 6,000 engagements. In total 28 NZ providers representing all sectors opted-in to undertake flash interview sessions during the livestream. Broadcasting by ENZ’s and partner agent online platforms, providers were able to introduce their institutions, programmes, and other features directly to prospective audiences online. Enquiries generated during the livestream are being followed up by ENZ who are directing them to the appropriate New Zealand education provider’s website or contact information and agents.
One of four livestream sessions that ENZ hosted featuring representatives from New Zealand universities, PTEs, Te Pūkenga and other tertiary institutions. ENZ gave advice to students and parents about how to choose study programmes based on the job market trends in both China and New Zealand.
Lastly, the Guangzhou Agent Seminar on 3 November saw 33 different New Zealand institutions meet with over 220 education agents and school counsellors. The seminar was supported by NZ Inc agencies and Rachel Crump, New Zealand’s Consul-General in Guangzhou, provided opening remarks for the events. A photo exhibition supported by MFAT, Connections through time, exhibited just outside the Agent Seminar space. Representatives from Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise hosted a Study Tour photo booth at the Seminar while both agencies talked to interested agents about their New Zealand Study Tour Alliance.
In Guangzhou, eight local media outlets were invited to the event. They all spoke with sector representatives at the seminar about their programmes and enrolment requirements. As of 10 November, seven featured articles have appeared across these channels.
A big mihi/thank you again to all the New Zealand providers who helped make these events such a success.
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From the CE: SWNZ: The new platform for new ways of study
In June, ENZ launched our new initiative with FutureLearn, which offers online courses from a range of New Zealand education providers on a shared platform to more than 15 million learners worldwide. We also hosted the highly successful New Zealand Partners’ Workshop Week which brought together more than 2,700 stakeholders from across the Asian region to collaborate on building the future of the international education sector – to benefit New Zealand and our global partners.
I am more than happy to keep the good news momentum rolling into July with the launch of our Study with New Zealand learner platform - the official government site for advice on studying with New Zealand.
Study With New Zealand (SWNZ) is the evolution of the ENZ learner eco-system, transforming student experience to one that is intuitive and scalable.
Formerly Study in New Zealand, SWNZ merges our learner platforms to deliver a more personalised experience and to demonstrate that today there are more ways to access a New Zealand education. The new platform showcases our portfolio of study options including global pathways and online learning.
While we continue to navigate the impacts of COVID-19, it’s clear the world has changed, and so has the future of international education. Inviting students to study with New Zealand is more than just a subtle shift in language. SWNZ responds to the sector’s immediate needs in the current, rapidly changing landscape, and positions it for long-term success. It introduces our new ways of learning and encourages students to begin studying toward a New Zealand education, from just about anywhere in the world.
The industry’s ‘Think New’ brand has evolved and stretched to fulfil this promise in a way that makes sense and fits well with the challenges of right now.
The first release went live on 1 July, showcasing our new brand experience as well as introducing these new study modes. The team are working towards a full migration with the next milestone in September, where SWNZ will be ready to support the new brand campaign as well as the new student member centre.
Moving forward, SWNZ will empower ENZ to work with the sector to continue to deliver economic, social and cultural value to New Zealand and New Zealanders.
This initiative supports the Government's Recovery Plan for the international education sector. Part three of the Plan led by Education New Zealand, Transforming to a more sustainable future state, has accelerated the diversification of products and services - one of three goals set out in the New Zealand International Education Strategy.
Take a look at the new platform by visiting the following link: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your food-basket, and my food-basket, the people will be well.
Ngā mihi,
Grant McPherson
Chief Executive Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
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Official Information Act Requests
People in New Zealand can request government information (official information) and can expect it to be made available unless there is a good reason to withhold it.
The Official Information Act 1982 (or OIA) enables citizens, permanent residents, visitors to New Zealand, and body corporates registered or with a place of business in New Zealand, to make a request for official information held by government agencies, including Education New Zealand (ENZ).
ENZ is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural and economic benefits of international education.
Please note the Ministry of Education is the New Zealand Government's lead advisor on the New Zealand education system.
More information can be found at: The role of the Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education OIAs can be directed to info@education.govt.nz
If you have a complaint about a particular school, you may wish to contact the school directly or contact the Ministry of Education at enquiries.national@education.govt.nz
Making a request relating to international education
Your request should be as clear and specific as you can possibly make it. Before making a request please check our other sources of information listed below.
You can contact us in a number of ways to request information:
- ENZ.Ministerials@enz.govt.nz
- Telephone (04) 472 0788
- Postal address: Level 5 Lambton House, 160 Lambton Quay, PO Box 12041, Wellington 6144
We would like:
- your name
- contact address (email or postal)
- details of the information you want.
We may ask you for more details if we’re not sure what you are seeking. If you make your request by phone or in person, we will confirm it in writing.
The State Services Commission provides tips for requesting information and guidance on how agencies will respond.
Before making a request for information
Before requesting official information from ENZ, we encourage you to check the list below to see if the information you need is already publicly available:
How long will it take?
We are required by law to give you our decision on your request as soon as possible, and no later than 20 working days after we receive your request.
If we need more time to make our decision on your request, for example if you are requesting a lot of information, we will let you know and give you an idea of how long it will take. We will also try to keep you updated on the progress of our response to your request. You can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman if you’re not happy with our decision to extend the time.
What does it cost?
Requesting official information is free, though we can charge a reasonable amount if it will take a lot of work to supply the information requested.
You can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman about our decision to charge.
What if I’m not satisfied?
You may wish to contact us in the first instance to see if we can resolve the issue.
You can make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman if you:
- have concerns regarding the decision we made on your request
- were unhappy about the way your request was treated or processed.
These concerns can relate to the withholding of information, extending the timeframe to respond to you, any charges for providing the information you have requested, delays in providing you with a decision or the information, or your request being transferred.
The Office of the Ombudsman can investigate and review our decision and may make a recommendation to us if it is considered appropriate.
Responses to Official Information Act 1982 requests
ENZ publishes responses to Official Information Act 1982 requests at the end of each month. ENZ first published its responses to requests for official information on its website in April 2018.
The response from ENZ details the information being released and explains what information, if any, has been withheld and under which grounds of the Act. The response also explains that we intend to make the information publicly available. The requestor's name and address have been removed from the response.
Documents are only available in Adobe PDF format and are listed in release date order, with the most recently released responses at the top.
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Te oranga me te haumaru ākonga: tertiary student safety and wellbeing – consultation now open
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has today opened consultation on a proposed code of pastoral care for the safety and wellbeing of all tertiary learners, and is asking for your feedback. It proposes a new disputes resolution scheme for domestic tertiary students, and law changes to clarify tertiary organisations’ responsibilities to learners.
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) encourages the broader tertiary sector including our partners, agents and stakeholders both onshore and offshore, to take part in the consultation process and to share their feedback with MoE. Submissions are due by midnight 21 May, with the new code implemented from 1 January 2022.
The proposed Code, led by MoE and administered by NZQA, clarifies the shared responsibilities government, tertiary education providers, whānau and the wider community have for learners’ wellbeing and safety. It draws on the interim Code for domestic tertiary students and the pastoral care code for international students. The proposed changes address inequalities and strengthen support for Māori learners and whānau to achieve their education aspirations.
About the proposed changes
- An on-going code of pastoral care for all tertiary and international students will be developed this year for implementation from 1 January 2022.
- Simplifying the current situation, the proposed code will apply to all domestic and international students in tertiary education, regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, in apprenticeships or employment, learning on-campus or on-line.
- There are no substantial changes proposed to the requirements for schools enrolling international students.
- A proposed dispute resolution scheme for domestic tertiary learners and providers to settle contractual or financial disputes that are unable to be resolved using provider or sector complaints processes is being developed in parallel with the new code.
- Disputes can have big educational, financial and emotional impacts on learners and their whānau. A stronger dispute resolution scheme will help resolve issues and make the tertiary education system fairer and more accessible for everyone.
- Supporting the proposed changes are a set of proposed law changes that will make sure the new code and dispute resolution scheme are supported by legislation and fit for purpose. They will make sure the code and dispute resolution scheme consistently focus on learner wellbeing and safety, and make it easier for providers to implement the code.
- The new code and dispute resolution scheme will be implemented in 2022.
About the consultation
- Consultation is open 7 April – 21 May.
- Everyone’s views are invited, especially students, whānau, communities, the broader tertiary sector including our partners, agents and stakeholders and those working or volunteering in the tertiary and international education sector.
- MoE is seeking feedback on the proposed code for the wellbeing and safety of all tertiary and international learners, a new dispute resolution scheme for domestic tertiary learners, and proposed legislative changes to clarify and streamline providers’ responsibilities to learners.
- The Education and Training Act 2020 requires the Minister to consult before issuing a code. The Ministry has launched this consultation on behalf of the Minister.
- Learn more about the consultation and have your say on the Kōrero Mātauranga website. Te oranga me te haumaru ākonga | Learner wellbeing and safety.
Interim code changes
- On Wednesday, 31 March 2021, the Minister issued minor and technical changes to the interim code. These include updating the expiry date of the interim code and references to the Education and Training Act 2020, and being clearer about what the Code Administrator must do if it uses powers to enter student accommodation (clause 33).
- Tertiary providers don’t need to do anything differently, and NZQA will ensure that it meets the new requirements. You can view the updated Education (Pastoral Care of Domestic Tertiary Students) Code of Practice
- These changes follow from Parliamentary review of the interim code by the Regulations Review Committee.
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New Zealand education in focus during Prime Minister’s trip to China
Education elements featured strongly in the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China helping raise the visibility of New Zealand as an education destination for Chinese students.
To launch the trip, the delegation joined the Prime Minister at a Showcasing New Zealand event held at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing to promote New Zealand as a travel and study destination. ENZ invited key media, influencers, and Chinese and New Zealand students to interact with the Prime Minister. This sparked significant local news coverage, amongst leading Chinese state media, setting the tone for the visit and highlighting the significance of international student exchanges between New Zealand and China. New Chinese media outlets also were seen covering New Zealand education as a topic for the first time.
Group photo at Showcasing New Zealand event! (It was a kiwi bbq)
The Prime Minister also gave an address at Peking University to students, media, and the New Zealand delegation. To read the full speech, please visit the Beehive website.
Peking University is host to the New Zealand Centre. Established in 2007 as a collaborative project between Peking University and the University of Auckland, the New Zealand Centre at Peking University has grown to represent all eight of New Zealand’s universities and enable high-level engagement across a range of departments and faculties. During the visit to the University on 28 June, the Prime Minister, with Hao Ping, Chair of Peking University Council and Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University, the Ambassadors of New Zealand and China, and representatives of the New Zealand Centre launched the Rewi Alley Professorship.
There were also other several significant developments in our bilateral education links with China that were achieved while there. These included:
- Signing of the Arrangement on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications in Higher Education between the Ministries of Education witnessed by Prime Minister Rt Hon Chris Hipkins and Premier Li.
- Signing of a Strategic Partnership between Education New Zealand and Air New Zealand to support international education mobility and joint promotion in China. To read more, please visit the article on ENZ Collaboration with NZ Inc Agencies in China.
- The education delegation meeting with the Vice-Minister of Education Chen Jie (responsible for international cooperation) and China Ministry of Education officials. The meeting underscored the importance of a strong government-to-government relationship and provided a chance to showcase the education sectors present within the New Zealand delegation and discuss areas of existing and potential cooperation.
- A Sustainability Roundtable with a focus on education involving the education sector delegation and Chinese education partners.
It was a busy, challenging, insightful and ultimately very rewarding week. The education delegates also shared their own feedback. John van der Zwan, Executive Director Schools International Education Business Association reflected that the mission to China was hugely valuable and a chance to get high level insights into working with Chinese officials and agents following the pandemic.
“The mission was also a special opportunity to engage with the Prime Minister and other government officials on the role and importance of international education for our school sector,” he said.
Executive Director of English New Zealand, Kim Renner, noticed the shift in how New Zealand is profiled in China compared to many years ago and echoed the response from other delegates that the visit was valuable for the representatives of the education sectors.
“China is a development market for most of our members, so it was a great opportunity for English language to be part of this important delegation, particularly the meetings with the Vice Minister of Education and JJL Overseas Education Agency.”
“While seeing the country is a key part of study travel, we know that inbound students also want an immersive experience focused on people, cultural exchange and making connections. This was certainly showcased during the visit and was received very positively by all those we engaged with”, added.
ENZ would like to offer its sincere thanks and congratulation to everyone who was involved in the preparation and planning for the visit and gives special recognition to the education sector representatives on the Prime Minister Trade Delegation.
- Signing of the Arrangement on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications in Higher Education between the Ministries of Education witnessed by Prime Minister Rt Hon Chris Hipkins and Premier Li.
