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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.

  • Update from Immigration New Zealand

    Visa processing update

    • From 01 January to 31 March 2025, student visas have been processed in 12 days (two and a half weeks) on average, compared to 24 days (five weeks) for the same period in 2024.

    • Currently, international student visas are being decided in 10 days (two weeks) on average. 

    • The tertiary sector’s mid-year intake is almost upon us, and students need to apply for their visas now.

    • Latest visa processing times can be found on the INZ website: Student visa wait times | Immigration New Zealand.

    Reminders from Immigration New Zealand

    The conditions of a student visa state that the visa holder must attend the programme of study at all times, at the place of study endorsed on the visa (unless there are genuine reasons for absences), and that they must make satisfactory progress in the programme of study.

    Immigration New Zealand (INZ) receive a number of applications from students in New Zealand, who have poor attendance and/or progress, without any explanation of why.

    If students do have poor attendance or progress, it is recommended that an explanation for this is provided up front with the application to avoid the need for INZ to request further information. This will prevent any delays in processing.

    If you are refunding an international student’s fees, then the ToE form should be filled out, regardless of whether or not the student’s visa has been sighted by the provider.

  • 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.”

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