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Attracting PhD students to New Zealand
The PhD page highlights the initiatives that have given New Zealand an international marketing advantage in attracting PhD students from around the world.
The page promotes the five key benefits of studying for a PhD here. International PhD students:
- pay the same fees as domestic students
- can enrol their children as domestic students in our state schools
- can work full-time
- are able to apply for a 12-month post-study work visa after graduating
- entitle their partners to apply for an open work visa.
Students can check out the page to find out how our PhD programmes are structured, discover the career benefits of studying for a PhD in New Zealand, read case studies from current international students and learn how to apply – there are links to the PhD areas of each university’s website.
Vietnamese student Tan Duc Do, for instance, decided to study undertake a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Auckland because of the inspiring teaching of his supervisor.
“Most of the lecturers here are working mathematicians, so they can give insight and inspiration into the subject,” says Tan.
For Jeffery Garae, a student from Vanuatu, the major attraction of studying Cyber Security in New Zealand was that international PhD students pay the same fees as local students.
“I was looking at doing a Masters here and when I read about the PhD fees I thought, ‘Whoa – that’s an even better advantage,’” says Jeffery.
The new PhD page also shines a spotlight on the academic and research performance of New Zealand universities, and on the wide range of subjects available for doctoral research.
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Prime Minister welcomes international students
One of many welcome events around the country since our borders reopened at the end of July, the ceremony was attended by more than 70 students, as well as representatives of UoA and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). It was an emotional moment for some of the students, who had been waiting a long time for the opportunity to study here.
Minister Hipkins presenting a Tū Ngātahi pin to international student Kyeongmin Kang from English Language Academy
Tū Ngātahi pins were presented to international students Petchpiangpor Sueasuwan from Western Springs College; Kyeongmin Kang from English Language Academy; and Ankeeta Karmakar from UoA by the Prime Minister, Minister Hipkins and UoA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater respectively.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson explained the significance of the Tū Ngātahi pins, which you can read more about here.
The formal welcome was followed by morning tea, with further exchanges of Tū Ngātahi pins and opportunities for photographs.
Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor at University of Auckland, with university student Ankeeta Karmakar.
International student Malina Grube from the University of Auckland spoke about her experiences here, and her involvement in the kākahu project.
Michael Steedman, Kaiarataki at the University of Auckland, demonstrated a 3D-printed conch shell as part of his welcome to guests – a metaphor for new arrivals and new opportunities.
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Work with us
At Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), we’re a small, agile government agency with a big mission: to drive international student choice for New Zealand and support the international education sector to grow and thrive in a competitive global market.
We believe a New Zealand education transforms lives, builds lifelong connections, and equips learners with the skills to thrive in a connected world.
Supporting global learners
We connect with students from a wide range of countries, inviting them to study in New Zealand and bring new ideas, cultures, and perspectives that enrich our classrooms and communities.
We also proudly administer the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme – New Zealand’s largest investment in international scholarships, supporting scholars of eligible partner countries to access life-changing education experiences here in Aotearoa and the Pacific.
A truly global team
Our team spans 13 countries and 27 nationalities. We value diverse perspectives and know they make us stronger, more creative, and more impactful.
Work that matters
As a small agency, you’ll collaborate across all levels and teams. You’ll contribute to meaningful projects, shape ideas, and see the impact of your work.
A flexible, creative environment
We work in a dynamic, supportive setting where creativity is encouraged, personal growth is valued, and your voice matters.
If you're curious, passionate, and ready to help shape the future of international education, check out our current roles. We’d love to hear from you.
Our employee offerings
At ENZ, we believe that our people are the heart of everything we do. We know that to do great work, you need to feel supported in all areas of your life. That’s why we provide a variety of offerings to help you achieve balance, stay healthy and continue growing personally and professionally.
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Graduate’s Kiwi know-how helps reduce water use in UAE desert
Rather than travelling to New Zealand and undertaking theoretical research with limited relevance back home, Wafa was able to carry out hands-on work addressing critical water management issues in her arid home country, while being supervised by New Zealand-based experts.
It was a personalised and practical kind of international education experience which Wafa is grateful for. “It allowed me to continue working, while at the same time learning and finding solutions to the water management issues facing the UAE.”
The education partnership grew out of a New Zealand G2G (Government to Government) relationship with the UAE which dates back to 2014. “The aim is to build the capacity of local people and find solutions to real problems through scholarships for study,” she says.
Already qualified with a Bachelor’s degree in ecology and environmental science and Master’s degree in water and environmental engineering, Wafa was working as an environmental scientist for Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) when asked to be involved in the programme.
The region needs to find ways to manage the growing demand for groundwater in a hyper-arid, saline environment. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, has about 19 million planted trees in desert “forests”, a precious legacy of founding father Sheikh Zayed Al Nayhan. They provide a range of ecological benefits but are heavily dependent on groundwater irrigation.
With EAD given a government mandate in 2016 to protect groundwater reserves, water meters were introduced and areas of wastage identified. Wafa’s research was required to determine the exact water needs of the plants through the implementation of New Zealand technology, and experimentation with the use of treated sewage effluent, or “grey water”.
Distance learning partnership with Massey University
She worked with a team at New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research and her project was supervised by Principal Scientist Brent Clothier. The programme was managed by Lesley Kennedy of Wellington-based consultancy firm OnlyFromNZ.
“I travelled to New Zealand once or twice a year to meet Massey University requirements such as attending exams, presentations, or conferences. Likewise, Brent would come to the UAE with his team and help oversee the research.”
“It’s fit-for-purpose academic knowledge with real practical utility,” Dr Clothier says.
Wafa used Plant & Food Research’s heat pulse technology, which has been employed successfully in New Zealand and other parts of the world, but never in a region where temperatures can reach close to 50degC in summer. Once up and running, the technology provided readings every 30 minutes which allowed Wafa to calculate precisely the amount of water being absorbed by the plant.
“The data provided new and exciting information for us. We found that many of the trees had already adapted to the summer heat and did not take up as much water as we were providing through irrigation,” she says.
“By the end of the study we determined that we could save 35 - 70 percent of the water we have been supplying through irrigation.”
The technology was extended to other crops, and farmers are now provided with crop calculator software which provides guidance on the specific water needs of a tree, according to the month of the year, location, and soil type. “It’s a very important tool for growers in the UAE.”
“It’s good for countries to work together and find solutions to our challenges.”
Enduring relationship with New Zealand
Wafa is proud of the fact that her research is helping to solve a critical environmental issue in her country and knows that the collaboration with Massey through the NZ G2G partnership has been an integral part of her success. It has also paved the way for two other Emirati students to follow in her footsteps.
“I met other international students from the Middle East while at Massey and they were envious of me. They said I was very lucky because I was doing something for my country.”
She believes international education plays a key role in the exchange of information with other countries. “It’s good for countries to work together and find solutions to our challenges. If we are talking about the environment, we are all living in one world so it’s important that we work together to solve issues.”
But this academic partnership has not just produced practical results. It’s also seen a special bond develop between the New Zealand scientists and their Emirati students.
“I have built a long-lasting relationship with New Zealand,” Wafa says. “I know that I can always call my contacts in New Zealand to discuss an issue and they will be there for me.
“The relationship is much bigger than the life of the project and this is very important for me as a scientist and a researcher.”
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South and South East Asia fair season off to flying start!
More Malaysian students studying in New Zealand this year
After a two-year hiatus ENZ successfully reintroduced the New Zealand Education Fair in to Malaysia to boost New Zealand’s profile in the market. Attracting almost 800 visitors, the fair was a marked success on the 2013 event which hosted around 100 visitors. With an overwhelming number of prospective students quickly filling the room, the ENZ team managed the influx by spontaneously hosting two “Studying in New Zealand” seminars outside the main function room.
The fair was well supported by New Zealand education institutions and had a strong NZ Inc flavour, being opened by New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Dr John Subritzky.
“Education is a critical part of our ever-growing relationship with Malaysia, and we are proud of our long history of providing education opportunities for Malaysians. It’s great to see more Malaysian students choosing New Zealand as their education destination, especially as this creates life-long connections between our two countries,” said Dr Subritzky.
A prize-giving ceremony for the winners of ENZ’s ‘Think New’ Essay Writing competition and the New Zealand Marketing Strategy competition was also held. As part of his prize, the winner of the marketing strategy competition, UCSI University student Eric Kong, arrived in New Zealand recently to start his four-week internship with the Choose New Zealand alliance. We’ll bring you an update on how Eric and the other competition winners are going in the next issue of E-News.
Winners of “Think New” Essay Writing and New Zealand Marketing Strategy competitions receiving their certificates and prizes.
AboveAaaaGuests at the New Zealand Alumni Function and Networking Event in Kuala Lumpur.
ENZ hosted an alumni reception the evening before the fair at the Residence of the New Zealand High Commission. Institutions networked with past students and with new and existing education agents.
H.E. Dr. John Subritzky presented a token of appreciation to the alumni who participated in Alumni Voices project.
The alumni reception presented an opportunity to thank two of the Malaysia alumni who took part in ‘Alumni Voices’, a project celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and ASEAN, by profiling successful alumni who credit their New Zealand education with having a strong and positive impact on their lives.
India’s events campaign leverages the Fleming brand
Fourteen events in 10 days – ENZ’s India team has been running on pure adrenalin to deliver a series of powerful promotional events in India and Sri Lanka, centred around the flagship fairs held across India last month.
As part of ENZ’s wider SSEA team, ENZ India is the second team in the region to hold its New Zealand Education Fairs for the August – October season. Leveraging the profile of New Zealand Education Brand Ambassador and international cricket legend Stephen Fleming has again been a successful approach in extending New Zealand’s reach into the vast student population in India.
ENZ India Country Manager, Jugnu Roy, worked closely with Stephen Fleming to make the most of his strong following.
“Stephen’s brand is New Zealand’s brand – it’s about integrity, about being open and about connecting across borders. Importantly, Stephen has also made it fundamentally about the value of a New Zealand education because he understands both what we are trying to achieve and also how much his New Zealand education helped his career.”
Using the New Zealand education fairs as the centre piece of New Zealand’s key promotional season in South Asia, the India team also delivered a series of related profile-raising activities including networking events, and round table sessions with close to 40 school principals from prominent secondary and international schools. Stephen also visited leading institutions, including top-ranked universities such as Delhi University and SRM University in Chennai where he addressed more than 2000 students. The immediate result of this visit was the flow of quality SRM students to the Chennai New Zealand Education Fair later that week.
The fairs themselves appealed to a good pool of potential quality students, attracting over 1200 students in total. With more than 25 prominent New Zealand institutions meeting prospective students at the fairs, the New Zealand value proposition was positively championed.
Sri Lanka has been an important market in the South Asia region, and ENZ introduced a ‘university only’ school roadshow for the first time to stimulate the market. The university representatives hadan opportunity to interact with secondary school students of two top international schools of this island country.
Overall, New Zealand’s promotional events in India and Sri Lanka in August reached over 7,000 people.
With New Zealand education fairs and associated events still to come in Thailand, Viet Nam and Indonesia, the SSEA team is continuing to ramp up fair fever across the region. They are always well-supported by Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and, of course, the all-important industry providers
“South Asia and South East Asia is an enormous region and it’s an important region for international education. Our team members from Indonesia right up to India are committed to providing first-class events to raise the profile of New Zealand. Fair season is an exceptionally busy time for us and we’re always focused on providing the best events we can for New Zealand’s institutions.” Said Ziena Jalil, ENZ’s Regional Director SSEA.
ENZ Brand Ambassador, Stephen Fleming welcoming students at the Delhi fair
Students at the Delhi fair
AUT University and others at the Chennai fair
ENZ Brand Ambassador Stephen Fleming having a photo moment with students of Somaiya Institutes in Mumbai
Selfies with potential students at the New Delhi fair
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Around the world in five
Global
The global rankings season is now in full force, with this being the first time that three major releases have occurred within 24 hours. The results highlight the transformation that is occurring across higher education worldwide.
United States of America
United States President Donald J Trump has asked Congress to cut funding for basic research by more than one-third in the budget year beginning in October, according to an analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Australia
The latest data on student visa grants and applications from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs shows a decrease overall for the international education sector and ELICOS and vocational visas at record lows, following the implementation of higher visa fees and a new visa priority system.
United Kingdom
In response to the growing concerns around quality assurance, ethical practice, and accountability in recruitment, a number of destination countries are introducing formal frameworks and codes of conduct to govern the activities of education agents.
Canada
Canadian universities have welcomed the government’s planned audit of the international student programme to strengthen processes and integrity, and to reinforce public trust in the system.
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Following his own path – International student builds life, family, and community in New Zealand
Luke Qin has never been afraid of a challenge. Born in Sichuan, China, his childhood was a rich mix of classical Chinese literature, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, and music.
Early intensive schooling means he can read, write, speak, think and dream in Chinese and draw on traditional Chinese virtues, but a desire to follow his own path, experience something new and explore education options overseas, led him to New Zealand as a high school student.
Selecting New Zealand was a relatively easy choice at the time – English-speaking, safe, ‘clean and green’ and affordable – it ticked all the necessary boxes. But his desire to test himself drew him to Christchurch because “fewer Chinese students there” meant he would have no choice but to fully immerse himself in the new environment.
And what an immersion it was. Luke credits his first years at Linwood High School as the perfect place to experience “an excellent introduction to the New Zealand way of life” and in his first year in New Zealand, he was playing on the wing for Linwood High School’s First XV rugby team!
“With a little help from All Black stars!” Luke tapped his rugby passion to enlist support for the Dragonboat Festival in Wellington from All Blacks Ardie Savea (left) and Dane Coles.
“I wasn’t very big and didn’t know the rules of the game when I arrived, but I had some wheels back then.” Luke explains. If it looked like trouble was coming my way, I’d just try to outrun it!” But he also knew he had to prove himself to his teammates. Once, while tackling his opposite wing, a strapping Samoan teammate joined in and sent them all to the ground. “I felt something hot dripping down my forehead but charged straight back into the ruck, only to be dragged off the field and sent to the hospital.” Three stitches later, he knew he had earned the respect of his teammates and become ‘one of the boys’.
Luke credits his school experience with developing his self-belief and preparing him for what was to come, through his university years and beyond.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, he relocated to Wellington to join the banking industry, and completed a Master in Applied Finance from Victoria University of Wellington. He then continued on with his quest for lifelong learning and experience by achieving qualifications in Sustainable Finance, Te Reo Māori, Medical Co-Response, Citizen diplomacy and Urban Fire and Rescue, and volunteering for a number of causes.
His banking experience broadened, and several promotions later he joined Kiwibank in Auckland, leading the development of its International Strategy and Trade Finance offering, and working closely with NZ Inc partners to help New Zealand exporters and importers with risk mitigation and working capital funding.
Nowhere has his quest for a challenge been more evident than in his decision to become a volunteer firefighter 10 years ago.
“My younger self had been watching ‘Spiderman’ and saw Peter Parker leap into a burning building to save the day. At the time I thought, ‘I wonder if I could do that?’ Then I heard a call for volunteers from the NZ Fire Service on the radio while driving to work so decided to contact my local fire brigade in Seaview, Lower Hutt.”
“I thought I might be the first Asian volunteer in the station, but I was beaten to it by a Chinese lady.”
“The Fire Service is where you find the real New Zealand,” says Luke.
“Teachers, accountants, plumbers, builders, people from all walks of life - all bonded by the same commitment to serve their community. The camaraderie and environment was addictive.”
There, with the support of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, he completed the Sky Tower Stair Challenge with fellow firefighters from across the country to raise funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
Scaling 1103 steps and 51 flights of stairs in full fire-fighting gear with a steel cylinder on his back was one of the most physical tests he has put himself through.
1,103 steps and 51 flights of stairs behind him, Luke was happy to complete the Sky Tower Stair Challenge - “Man of Steel” with other firefighters dressed in full gear with steel cylinders on their backs to raise funds for leukaemia and blood cancer in New Zealand.
“I have benefitted so much from all the opportunities and adventures since coming to New Zealand, especially from my volunteer roles. It’s a small way I could repay my second home for its kindness.”
“I hope I can encourage more international students and members of our diverse ethnic communities in New Zealand to become volunteers and join activities that benefit the community. There is so much we have to offer, and the reward in terms of friendships and life skills is amazing.”
From Sichuan to Wellington waterfront, leading the Dragon Dance during Chinese New Year Parade.
Luke Qin’s journey as an international student began with a desire to immerse himself in a new environment. Grateful to his family, friends, colleagues, and mentors for the opportunities and adventures New Zealand has given him, he takes pride in being able to go home whichever way he travels between his ‘little shire’ in Sichuan and ‘Middle Earth’ New Zealand.
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BizVenture winners tackle youth mental health with "It's Okay" clothing range
The innovative business entrepreneurship scheme is a pilot initiative led by Education New Zealand, Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), and Japanese partners to give students in both countries real-life experience in developing business solutions that address one of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Forty students collaborated in a three-day virtual exchange, where they chose a challenge tackling some of Japan’s pressing social issues, before designing and presenting a business plan in a “Dragon’s Den” style pitch to judges.
The winning New Zealand team - Hamish Robinson (Taradale High School, Napier), Benjamin Young (Tauranga Boys’ College), Daniel Blight (Waimea College, Napier), Kaiah Sherriff (Southland Girls’ High School), and Abirami Kabilan (Pakuranga College, Auckland) - chose to come up with a strategy which would directly enhance the mental wellbeing of Japanese teenagers.
The UN SDGs are some of the biggest problems facing humanity today, so working on them was a pretty full-on task” – Pakuranga College student Abirami Kabilan
It is a topic which directly impacts young people in both countries, as UNICEF ranks Japan 37th among 41 OECD countries for the state of children’s mental health, and New Zealand one lower, at 38th place.
Insights into business and culture “eye-opening”
To succeed, the students had to gain a thorough insight into Japanese culture, youth behaviour, and business practice. Ahead of their pitches, the teams joined interactive workshops with New Zealand and Japanese guest speakers, cultural mentors, and language coaches.
Abirami Kabilan describes the exposure to Japanese business and societal culture as “eye-opening”.
“The UN SDGs are some of the biggest problems facing humanity today, so working on them was a pretty full-on task.”
“One of the most interesting things about this cross-cultural experience was seeing how the Japanese students approached the same problems. Young people around the world will have such different ways of approaching these problems too. Imagine the ideas we would come up with if we all worked together.”
The winning team successfully pitched a clothing brand called 大丈夫, which translates in English to “It’s Okay”, to get the conversation about mental health out in the open among Japanese youth, and hopefully gain the support of high-reach Japanese influencers to help push their critical wellbeing message.
They decided the best way to break into the Japanese market would be with “in your face” messaging using symbols of strength, such as dragons and samurai, to promote their message.
“This is something that has not been done in Japan before and we’re ecstatic to be winners,” Hamish Robinson says.
BizVenture promotes global competency
The BizVenture programme will allow students to understand the Japanese business context and increase their global competency, says Young Enterprise Scheme lead Elizabeth Pittman.
“New Zealand youth have such a strong interest in sustainability and improving social outcomes within their communities and abroad, and this challenge allows them to explore that interest in a business context.”
International education adapts to changing needs of learners
Education New Zealand is keen to build on the success of this year’s pilot BizVenture programme as international education adapts to meet the changing needs of learners. International research shows that students are increasingly seeking programmes and content that is relevant to real world problems and which will allow them to make a real difference.
The programme also builds on New Zealand’s diplomatic relationship with Japan while travel for international students remains limited.
“Over many decades Japan and New Zealand have benefitted from an enduring partnership,” says Hamish Cooper, New Zealand Ambassador to Japan. “Education has played a really important role in fostering people-to-people ties, and supporting the development of what are now, in 2021, very close connections between our two countries.”
“Before the pandemic, more than 10,000 students from Japan studied in New Zealand every year, making an important economic contribution, but also enriching our schools and communities, and helping New Zealand students become more globally connected.”
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Talented young Kiwis awarded PM’s Scholarships to Asia and Latin America
This round of scholarships supports 252 recent graduates or current students to undertake study, research or internships at institutions in Latin America and Asia, including Brazil, Mexico, China, India and Japan.
Awardees are in a range of fields including languages, law, business, health, sustainability and the arts. They will attend for periods ranging from four weeks to one year.
The scholarships enable a wide range of educational experiences, including: a cultural exchange and internship programme for Māori and Pasifika graduates in Vietnam; a global business and innovation programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen, China, for a group of undergraduate business students; an internship with an Indian charity supporting street children and another with the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development in Korea.
‘’These scholarships enable talented young New Zealanders to enrich their education offshore, adding international experience and global perspectives to their qualifications,’’ Chris Hipkins said.
“The quality of the awardees, from all over New Zealand and from a wide range of tertiary institutions, is impressive. I am sure they will serve as excellent ambassadors for our country.
‘’Longer term, the international networks and cross-cultural skills that they bring back home will enhance and strengthen our future workforce. Their experiences benefit New Zealand at a national level and improve our ability to engage and connect with Asia and Latin America.
‘’The Prime Minister’s Scholarships support the Government’s goal of a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class international education,” Chris Hipkins said.
Of the successful applicants in this round, 114 will travel on an individual scholarship and 138 will travel as part of a group. They come from a range of tertiary institutions nationwide, including the University of Auckland (69 awardees); Victoria University of Wellington (41); Massey University (40); Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design (16) and the Southern Institute of Technology (nine). There are also 10 recipients from the education NGO, TupuToa.
Here is the full list of PMSA and PMSLA recipients from this round (2019-2020 Round One).
The total value of the scholarships offered in this round is $1.9m. Information on past PMSA and PMSLA recipients can be found here.
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Aotearoa sharpens Sherpa’s ambitions on conservation in Nepal
The Everest region of Nepal is his home, and he has seen first-hand the impact of climbers and climate change on the world’s most famous mountain environment.
The former international student to New Zealand is a columnist in the Kathmandu Post, readily highlighting successes and calling out failures on a range of environmental issues impacting Nepal. He is part of a generation determined to find solutions.
Tsewang recently completed his Master’s in Environmental Management at Lincoln University, an international education experience made possible by the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship. Mingma was an early graduate of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Khumjung School, an alumnus of Lincoln University, and one of the leading voices on conservation in Nepal and Bhutan through his work with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) before his untimely death in 2006.
His legacy is a scholarship jointly funded by WWF, Lincoln University, and the Greater Himalayas Foundation which supports students from remote regions of Nepal committed to careers in conservation to study at Lincoln.
Tsewang says the links with New Zealand which date back to the work of Sir Edmund Hillary, and his belief in the importance of education for future generations, are a driver for many Nepalese students seeking to improve their opportunities in life.
“The connection is very strong,” he says. “Sir Ed Hillary is such an icon and I feel that the students who come to New Zealand to study are continuing to strengthen the relationship established by Sir Ed and Mingma”.
Fulfilling the dream of a New Zealand education
“The scholarship allows you to fulfil a vision of having a higher education in New Zealand, but more than that, it connects many people already working in the conservation sector in New Zealand, Nepal, and other parts of the world.”
Tsewang spent two years in New Zealand, arriving just before the border closed in 2020 and is grateful that his studies were largely unaffected by the pandemic. He says he has learned much about New Zealand’s approach to conservation and gained a better understanding of te ao Māori and the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection).
“I am a Sherpa. We are renowned as mountaineers, but we are also an ethnic tribe with a strong connection and respect for nature and a strong desire for environmental stewardship.
“Seeing Māori taking ownership of preserving and retaining their culture was an important learning for me. These are taonga (treasures) which we should be taking from one generation to another.
“Through my education I want to promote empowerment of local people on conservation issues,” Tsewang says. “Studying in New Zealand made me realise that this is already happening in Nepal, but we just need to find ways to make it more effective.”
Tsewang’s Master’s research was into the effectiveness of the Garbage Deposit Scheme (GDS) initiated by the Sherpa people, in which Everest climbers pay a US$4000 deposit that’s returned only if they bring back at least 8kg of rubbish produced during their expeditions. “Working in conjunction with the aims, aspirations, and opportunities of local communities is incredibly empowering.”
Making a positive impact in Nepal
The students who have come to Aotearoa have made a positive impact in Nepal, Tsewang says. “It’s all about learning from best practice and sharing knowledge.
As one person it’s hard to make change, but by sharing information and knowledge we can make incremental change.”
“We are seeing that governments globally are starting to overhaul their environmental protection policies. New Zealand has played a key role in the context of Nepal because people before me came to study and returned home to build crucial environmental education and awareness.”
Tsewang loved his time in Aotearoa, both inside and outside the classroom, having spent most of his free time hiking iconic tracks. “There’s so much learning that happens out in the field where you hear first-hand of the experiences of those working in conservation.
“This was an essential part of my education experience. You have unplanned conversations which are inspiring and hugely valuable,” he says.
“The last two years have been monumental in so many ways. It’s not just the academic learning, but also the personal growth. I have gained so much confidence to voice my opinion and share my knowledge.
“I will stay in touch with many of the people I have met and hopefully we will have the opportunity to collaborate in the future. Learning never stops.
“The international education opportunities with New Zealand only serve to strengthen the long-standing bond with Nepal. There’s a real legacy involved for both countries.”
