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Introducing Misako Pitt, Tokyo
We are delighted to announce that we have recruited Misako (Misa) Pitt to step into the role for a 13 month assignment. Misa joined the team at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo on 3 August.
Misa was born in Los Angeles, USA and grew up in Australia and Japan. She graduated with a BA in economics from Stanford University and went on to complete a Masters at Columbia University. Misa is a Certified Public Accountant and has worked in a range of finance roles with US corporates. Her most recent role was Executive Director of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ) where she was accountable for the operation of all organisational activities of the ANZCCJ, including event management, public and media relations, programme initiatives, membership recruitment and financial and staff management.
As the co-Chair of the Stanford University OVAL (Outreach Volunteer Alumni Link) in Japan, Misa has been passionate about promoting international education to the Japanese educational community. Misa also has a passion for film and worked on promoting an American/Japanese medical documentary called ‘The Power of Two’, an official selection at the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2011.
Both Fiona and Misa will be at NZIEC 2015 in Hamilton this month. Please take the opportunity to introduce yourself to the ENZ Tokyo team!
Wellington awards recognise inspiring students
This year’s awardees came from intermediate, secondary and tertiary levels, and included the founder of a bilingual tutoring programme for international students, the founder of the Asian English-Speaking Club at Victoria University of Wellington and the official pianist at the 44^th International Viola Congress.
They were selected for a range of achievements from academic excellence, community engagement, to leadership and sport, with each winner receiving a trophy, certificate and tickets to a Wellington experience.
MP Paul Eagle, WREDA CEO Lance Walker and WREDA’s Talent, Skills and Education Manager, Brook Pannell, were on hand at the ceremony, alongside a group from Wainuiomata High School and Kuranui College who performed Kapa Haka for the guests.
Brook said he was thrilled to be on hand at the ceremony to acknowledge the achievements made by some of Wellington’s young talent.
“International students make a powerful impact in their communities, and these awards reflect the great contributions they make in Wellington.
“It’s a unique, modern and compact city where international students can feel at home, gain life skills in a safe city, and make friends.”
Chinese international student Benjamin Lin, 18, received a Leadership Award for his achievements. As the youngest ‘authorised’ writer in his home country, he’s published two books and opened a writing school to raise money to study at Wellington High School.
“Thanks to my father I loved reading and writing. My teacher at the time encouraged me to publish some of my poetry when I was around 10 in the form of a book. People really liked my work and it gave me the confidence to keep going,” says Benjamin.
In 2015, Benjamin decided to progress his education in Wellington, and settled on Wellington High School. He funded his international study by tutoring students in writing.
“I wanted to come to Wellington because it’s a smaller, modern city where I could improve my English.
“In Wellington, I’ve appreciated having more time with my teachers and working on my English,” says Benjamin.
Award winners:
Academic excellence
- Nam-Phuong Ho, Victoria University of Wellington (Viet Nam)
- Yukiko Kuboshima, Victoria University of Wellington (Japan)
- Khoi Nguyen, Te Aro School (Viet Nam)
- Zihan Wang, Wellington Girls’ College (China)
Alumni
- Zilong Li, WelTec (China)
Community engagement
- Hanna Aulia, Victoria University of Wellington (Indonesia)
- Ashley Cao, Victoria University of Wellington (Viet Nam)
Creativity
- Gabriela Glapska, New Zealand School of Music (Poland)
Leadership
- Benjamin Yin, Wellington High School (China)
- Simran Bechan, Samuel Marsden Collegiate (Fiji)
- Nur Natasha Faziera Mohd Fadzil, Victoria University of Wellington (Malaysia)
Sports
- Mohammad Zahirul Amin Mohd Azam, Victoria University of Wellington (Malaysia)
Internationalisation
- Samuel Mathew, Wellington College (New Zealand)
- Jordan Anderson, Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)
Internationalisation Employer Award
- InterContinental Hotel Group
Click here for full details of the winners.
The awards were developed as part of WREDA’s Wellington International Student Growth Programme (WISGP), which aims to double the number of international students arriving in Wellington by 2025, enhance the student experience and build pathways to employment in Wellington.
NauMai NZ and the NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme
‘Nau mai’ is a te reo Māori phrase of invitation and welcome and NauMai NZ is the NZ government's official student experience platform, designed to support international students living and studying in Aotearoa New Zealand
NauMai NZ is written in plain English and provides practical, trusted, peer-reviewed content, designed to support and improve students’ living and study experiences. This includes information and resources to support students before arriving in Aotearoa (including useful tips on moving to New Zealand and what they need to bring), though to information to help them navigate daily life once here, including on:
- Making friends and building social connections
- Exploring and experiencing Aotearoa – the culture and the country
- Getting advice to improve wellbeing, study and living experiences
- Managing money, finding accommodation, and understanding healthcare in New Zealand
- Balancing work and study and understanding workplace culture, and much more.
You can explore more via this link.
ENZ has also developed the NauMai NZ WeChat Mini Programme. This is a companion platform to the English platform, to better support Chinese students who prefer the WeChat ecosystem. Information from the English platform is available in Chinese on the mini programme, as well as specific features that provide peer-to-peer support, such as video sharing, livestreams, forum functionality and student stories.
The following QR codes can be shared with your international students. Printed flyers are also available and so if you would like these sent to you, or have any questions for our Student Experience team, please do not hesitate to contact Faymie Li, faymie.li@enz.govt.nz, and Ross Crosson, ross.crosson@enz.govt.nz.

Manaakitanga is at the heart of what we all do, and ENZ aims to support you and your mahi. He waka eke noa. We are all in this together.
From the CE: Honouring our commitment to international students
The Government has announced today that a new border exception will allow 250 international PhD and postgraduate students to enter New Zealand and continue their studies.
Read Minister of Education Chris Hipkins’ official release.
This is a positive first step on the path to recovery and is consistent with the Recovery Plan for International Education.
It is recognition that international education is important to New Zealand and will play a vital role in the country’s rebuild and recovery from COVID-19. Prior to COVID, international education was New Zealand’s fifth-largest export earner, earning $5 billion a year and supporting around 45,000 jobs.
Moreover, the international students included in this group have had their postgraduate study or research disrupted by COVID-19, and cannot complete it due to the practical nature of their course. They have made a commitment to New Zealand, and that’s something we want to honour.
ENZ’s next step is to work with tertiary providers as they identify and select eligible students, and to continue to work with other government agencies to ensure a safe and considered process is developed for these students to enter the country.
ENZ is looking forward to further border exceptions that will benefit as many providers and students as possible, when it is safe to do so.
We will also have work underway to make sure the students entering New Zealand receive a warm welcome and have the information they need to succeed.
I am very proud of the manaakitanga that New Zealand education providers have been demonstrating throughout the COVID-19 crisis this year.
Please continue to encourage your students to sign up to NauMai NZ, our digital home for students who have chosen to study in New Zealand. Over the COVID-19 crisis, it has continually been updated and expanded with information international students need to know.
In the early hours of Saturday, 2 October, ENZ’s NauMai NZ was awarded a Highly Commended in the Student Support category at The PIEoneer Awards. We are delighted to be recognised for this work alongside such a varied list of international organisations.
You can read more about NauMai NZ in this issue of E-News.
He waka eke noa (we’re all in this together).
Grant McPherson
Chief Executive
Manapou ki te Ao
Global initiatives show the benefits of collaboration
New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, Taha Macpherson, at the opening of the AUT/RMUTT Thai-New Zealand Centre.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is celebrating two new transnational educational initiatives.
Designed to share New Zealand’s unique education offering with the world, these new projects are the result of years of relationship-building.
AUT joined with Thailand’s prestigious Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) to open the AUT/RMUTT Thai-New Zealand Centre earlier this month.
Based at RMUTT’s Bangkok campus, the centre is dedicated to English language learning – for students, entrepreneurs and the general public. Eventually, this will enable more Thai students to study at English-speaking providers overseas.
Secondly, in early August, AUT became the first New Zealand university to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education. This makes AUT the official institutional partner for the board’s new learning platform to promote inquiry-based learning to both students and teachers.
ENZ General Manager International, Lisa Futschek, describes these collaborative efforts as “significant milestones”.
“Transnational education initiatives like these ones not only raise the profile of New Zealand education overseas, but are crucial steps in New Zealand’s internationalisation journey,” she says.
Kiwi schools hit the road in the Philippines
Led by a team of ENZ staff, the group made the journey through Manila and Cebu over one week in September in a (very cosy) ENZ bus.
Desiree Lee, ENZ’s Market Manager, Malaysia and Philippines, said it was great to see the camaraderie shared by New Zealand providers and the shared vision of promoting New Zealand education to the world.
“We had a blast hosting our energetic providers from the university, ITP, PTE and school sectors across the Philippines. We braved the Manila traffic together, met with more than 200 international school students whose interests ranged from medicine to creative writing.”
The providers had another chance to meet school counsellors, New Zealand alumni and parents at the ENZ Networking Night hosted by Ambassador to the Philippines, David Strachan, at the Official Residence.
“Most Filipino students considering study abroad are from the private education network and, to attract these students to New Zealand, we have to be prepared to compete against strong brand names like there are in the US,” explains Desiree.
“The US is the most high-profile study destination for Filipino students, with a very active in-market presence including many Ivy League names such as Stanford University.
“Targeted activities such as the Schools Roadshow is a chance to get some face time with these students and present our unique offering.”
The tour of the Philippines was capped off with an oversubscribed agent seminar in Cebu, where Immigration New Zealand gave key market updates.
“They revealed that Cebu, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Davao del Sur and Cavite are the top five regions where student applicants are coming from.
“INZ also highly recommends the use of its online application platform which is far more cost and time efficient.”
New Zealand providers included Carmel College, Rangitoto College, University of Auckland, Massey University, ACG Education, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Southern Institute of Technology, Toi Ohomai, WelTec & Whitireia, Eastern Institute of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, and more.
Braving traffic in Manila on the ENZ Bus

At the Chinese International School Manila
Growing visibility of New Zealand education in Latin America
From 12 -21 March, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) held its first in-market, in-person roadshow in Latin America since before the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 18 New Zealand education providers took part in the activities held in Colombia (Bogotá), Brazil (São Paulo), and Chile (Santiago), which brought together 143 representatives from 97 education agencies.

Representatives from institutions across New Zealand’s education sector (universities, English language schools, PTEs, and secondary schools) had the opportunity to network with agents and recruit students directly, strengthening connections with strategic partners and raising the profile of New Zealand in Colombia, Brazil, and Chile.

ENZ’s Director of Engagement for Latin America, Javiera Visedo, and Brazil Market Development Manager, Bruna de Natale, led the activities in all three countries. They provided full support to the New Zealand delegation, offering strategic information to maximise the professionals' time with Latin American partners, as well as sharing insights about the New Zealand institutions with local agents.

Through institutional presentations, one-on-one meetings with agents from the three countries, and collaborative discussion panels, where all shared best practices and ideas for continuing partnerships and New Zealand institutions were able to advance their business relationships with local partners.

This was also the perfect opportunity to launch the Spanish and Portuguese versions of ENZ’s Learn New Everyday marketing campaign, that was well received by agents as it provided them new assets and videos to use in local languages.

During the South America Roadshow, some New Zealand institutions also took part in parallel events in Bogotá and Santiago, organised by ENZ in collaboration with local partners. This included a student fair and a dedicated session with private and International Baccalaureate schools, reflecting the growing interest from students and families in pursuing undergraduate studies in New Zealand.

ENZ's Director of Engagement Latin America Javiera Visedo (pictured fourth from left, bottom row) and Coordinator Simone Cocco (to Javiera's right) with roadshow participants at one of the events in Bogota.

ENZ's Market Development Manager Bruna de Natale (pictured second from right, bottom row), Director of Engagement Latin America Javiera Visedo (pictured fifth from left, bottom row) and Coordinator Simone Cocco (pictured second from right, bottom row) with roadshow participants at one of the events in Santiago.

Director of Engagement Latin America, Javiera Visedo, said engagement between New Zealand institutions and the Latin America market advanced significantly during the roadshow.

“There is no substitute for the connections and momentum we build when we meet face-to-face, and the trusted relationships we build,” she said.

“Engagements like these are key to ensuring the sustainable growth of students from Chile, Colombia, and Brazil to New Zealand,” Javiera added.

Feedback from education sector participants was positive. Director of Mount Maunganui Language Centre, Geoff Butler, said he wouldn’t hesitate to get involved in these events again.

“Post-pandemic, we were keen to have official events to reconnect with these markets - the events didn’t disappoint,” he said.

“There were excellent opportunities throughout each event day to engage with agents not only at our desks, but informally too,” Geoff added.

If you’re a New Zealand education provider and are interested in learning more about the Latin America market, reach out to the team via email: latinamerica@enz.govt.nz.

Attendees of the São Paulo ENZ agent event. 

Attendees of the Bogotá ENZ agent event.
Successful agent engagement and student recruitment drive in Malaysia

The events aimed to gauge student interest in studying in New Zealand and deepen collaboration with education agents and schools. 

To kick off the series, in early March, ENZ and representatives from New Zealand universities co-hosted a morning tea information session and focus group for Malaysian education agents in Kuala Lumpur.

The session promoted the ENZ resources available to support agents, and representatives from University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Massey University, University of Otago, and University of Waikato led a discussion exploring key messages that resonate with Malaysian students and parents, understanding the factors influencing destination choice and brainstorming strategies to strengthen New Zealand’s brand visibility.

The event brought together 11 agencies from across Kuala Lumpur.  

Co-funded agent activity

ENZ supported three key education agencies from across Malaysia to undertake co-funded student recruitment activity.

In Selangor, AECC Global Malaysia and ENZ hosted a mini-booth fair at HELP International School – giving students the opportunity to interact directly with representatives from Auckland University of Technology, the University of Auckland, the University of Canterbury, University of Otago, and the University of Waikato.

The mini-booth fair at HELP International School.

The mini-booth fair at HELP International School.

Over to Shah Alam, SELSET Education partnered with INTEC College to host an information session showcasing eight of New Zealand’s tertiary institutions.

INTEC College students heard from the Auckland University of Technology, the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Southern Institute of Technology, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and pathway provider, University of Canterbury International College.

Around 100 students were in attendance, and the session was followed by an opportunity for students to chat further with the study providers on show.   

Students at INTEC College exploring New Zealand tertiary education study options.

To close out the co-funded activity, ENZ made its first official visit to East Malaysia since before the pandemic.

ENZ and JM Education partnered to lead a series of school visits in late April Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Around 400 students attended information sessions across three schools. The events were led by the University of Auckland and University of Otago at Kota Kinabalu High School, Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah, and Maktab Nasional.

Attendees of one of the information sessions.

ENZ Market Manager for Indonesia and Malaysia, Naluri Bella, said that partnering with agents for co-funding targeted activities helps enhance both agents and students’ awareness and understanding of New Zealand’s unique education offering.

“These collaborations not only build trust and commitment among agents but also positions New Zealand as a competitive and credible choice for Malaysian students,” she said.  
From the Acting Chief Executive: Building global connections

Tēnā koutou katoa

Earlier this week the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, His Excellency Phạm Minh Chính, made an official visit to New Zealand accompanied by a large delegation. Joining him was their Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Kim Son. The visit was a timely opportunity to highlight our education cooperation with Viet Nam and to identify areas in which we can grow.

Viet Nam is a multi-sectored market for New Zealand’s international education sector and the fifth largest source country for international students.

I was delighted to witness first-hand the signing of an Education Engagement Arrangement (EEA) between New Zealand and Viet Nam, signed by our Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Hon Penny Simmonds, and Viet Nam’s Minister of Education and Training. This arrangement demonstrates to prospective students and their families that New Zealand is a partner of choice for the Vietnamese Government in the field of education, which aligns with the New Zealand Government’s priority to build a more resilient and sustainable sector. You can read more about the EEA and the signing event in this issue of E-News here.

Keeping with the theme of building global connections, last week I was pleased to meet with Ambassador Eduardo Saboia, the Secretary for Asia and Pacific at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty). Brazil is our largest partner in Latin America and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand welcomed over 3,000 Brazilian students. We know that Brazilian students are valued additions to New Zealand classrooms, and that Brazil has been a popular destination for the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America.

Last week we also received formal confirmation that Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, will be the Minister responsible for international education and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao.

Minister Simmonds is the Member of Parliament for Invercargill, elected in 2020. Prior to her election, Penny was Chief Executive of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) from 1997 to 2020.

The coalition Government has made clear its objective to double the value of exports in 10 years and we now await the Minister’s Letter of Expectations which will set out her detailed expectations for our work.

In closing, positive news to share is that international students are returning to New Zealand. The total number of international student visa holders, in and outside New Zealand is now 45,753 – that is a 171 percent increase since our borders reopened in August 2022 (16,853). The total number of visa holders in March 2024 is 68 percent of those in March 2020 (67,331), when the borders closed. It is heartwarming to see the beaming and excited faces of the new intake of international students joining their schools, universities, Polytech's, English language institutes, and other private training establishments in the gallery of student welcomes that has been compiled here.

After the challenges of recent years, it is a reason to celebrate.

Ngā mihi,

Linda Sissons

Acting Chief Executive
World-class fusion cuisine and culinary skills at Viet Nam gala dinner
The three teams, each consisting of two Vietnamese and two New Zealand students, showcased their culinary skills on stage in front of 170 guests, including New Zealand Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce.
The event was the outcome of two months’ hard work for the three teams, who initially worked together online to develop their menus under the guidance of culinary mentor and 2013 MasterChef New Zealand finalist, Vanessa Baxter. The teams met face-to-face in Ho Chi Minh City on 3 June, and then spent the following three days visiting Vietnamese markets to collect their fresh local produce before finalising their menus at the Caravalle Hotel kitchen.
At the gala dinner, the guests were treated to a selection of dishes from the students’ three-course fusion menus. Meanwhile, the three official judges – Haike Manning, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam; Le Xuan Tam, Executive Chef, Caravelle Hotel and Brendon Partridge, Executive Chef, JW Marriott Hanoi – sampled all of the student’s dishes throughout the evening.
Decision making was tough and competition was high. Team 1 narrowly missed coming first, and Team 2 won the guest vote.
Minister Joyce announced Team 3 as the overall winner. Their braised lamb shanks with pickled cabbage, potato rosti and reduced jus proved most popular. This team included Jamin Gibson (Auckland University of Technology), Emma Waser (Otago Polytechnic), Phan Văn Lâm (Viet Giao Tourism School), and Nguyễn Ngọc Quân (VATEL International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management).
“It is so amazing that we won the competition,” said Emma Waser. “We gelled so well as a team throughout the whole competition but we worked especially well together on the night.
“We had to delve into each other’s cultures and traditions to come up with our fusion menu. I have learned how important it is to mix it up – to use different flavours and borrow from other traditions and cuisines.
“It has been amazing to come to Viet Nam and see what else is out there in the world – to find out more about different cultures, different people and different food.”
Said Jamin: “I have really enjoyed the food, the friendliness of the people and their hospitality. I definitely want to return to Viet Nam with my wife.”
Nguyễn Ngọc Quân enjoyed learning how to cook lamb the Kiwi way. “I learned to cook lamb the way that is more traditional in New Zealand. Typically the Vietnamese dislike the smell of lamb but our slow cook method and flavours in the lamb shank proved really popular.
“I admired my New Zealand team mates’ techniques and knowledge as well as their ability to think innovatively and creatively,” he said.
The gala dinner was the result of the New Zealand – Viet Nam Culinary Collaboration, an initiative that came out of the New Zealand – Viet Nam Strategic Plan on Education signed in November 2015. The plan is designed to deepen the level of engagement between the two countries and enrich students’ learning.
“The New Zealand – Viet Nam Culinary Collaboration is yet another example of the growing education relationship between our two countries,” said ENZ Chief Executive, Grant McPherson.
“While it has been fantastic to see the outstanding teamwork between the students, the gala dinner was also an opportunity to showcase New Zealand institutions’ vocational expertise and our education system’s world-renowned practical application of skills which prepare students for the working world.”
Grant emphasised that everyone involved in the collaboration was a winner.
Team 1 included Ryan Prouting (Ara, Institute of Canterbury), Tuainekore Taringa (NZMA), Trịnh Xuân Hoàng (Viet Giao Tourism School), and Nguyen Thuy Tra Giang (VATEL International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management).
Team 2 included Ella Ritson-Jones (Southern Institute of Technology), Jamie Bell (Wellington Institute of Technology), Dương Nhật Huy (Viet Giao Tourism School) and Phan Trong Bao Chau (VATEL International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management).