Search

Showing 10 of 1007 results for gabrielaaa06302 of

  • Vanessa builds digital skills to help drive change in PNG

    She had a diploma in computer technology and a good job with a major telecommunications company, but she also had big ambitions and knew that an international education experience in New Zealand would take her where she wanted to go.

    “I saw that there were many areas where digital solutions could really make a difference. It was one of the driving forces which motivated me to study in New Zealand.”

    As Vanessa was searching for a university where she could study computer science, her friend returned home from Auckland University of Technology. “She told me so many wonderful stories and I was just so inspired to go and experience New Zealand and AUT for myself.”

    “She gave me an idea of what to expect and I knew I would be going into a supportive community. It was only when Covid arrived that I truly experienced how supportive it really was.”

    Vanessa came to New Zealand on a Manaaki Scholarship, funded through the New Zealand Aid programme. “It was the reason I could come and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

    The value of a Manaaki Scholarship

    “The scholarships allow students who are passionate about creating a brighter future in their home countries to gain expertise in their field of our study,” she says. “It also provides exposure to new perspectives and the chance to build life-long relationships with like-minded professionals, which is something I really value.”

    Although Vanessa’s father and brother both travelled overseas for education, not many of her friends have. “So now I’m trying to be the influence on my friends, encouraging them to take up that pathway.

    “I tell them that in New Zealand you get a fantastic study environment and will meet people from many different backgrounds.”

    Vanessa considers that a real bonus to her study experience was the opportunity to take up a summer internship.

    “It was optional for my programme, but it was provided through the Pacific Cooperation Foundation for students who were part of the Manaaki scholarship programme. I applied so that I could gain experience working in a large multi-cultural organisation.”

    Securing a role at Watercare in Auckland she not only gained valuable work experience, but also professional networking opportunities which have resulted in lasting connections with many of her former colleagues. “I had an amazing manager and I reach out to him from time to time. He has really helped me a lot and he’s one of the life-long contacts I’m going to be holding on to.”

    Boosting confidence and career

    With her Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences completed last year, Vanessa is now back in Port Moresby working as a Digital Transformation Associate with PwC and loving her new role.

    “Studying in New Zealand grew my confidence as a person and has allowed me to progress my professional career,” she says. “It broadened my horizons and gave me a different mindset.”

    Deciding to become an international student takes drive and commitment, but the rewards are worth the effort, Vanessa says. “I spent months researching the options and needed to stay motivated during the year it took to secure my scholarship and place at AUT. It took a lot of planning, but it was something I had my heart set on.

    “I knew a degree would give me better opportunities and New Zealand was just such an amazing place to study. It has had a very big impact on where I am now.”

    If she had another opportunity, Vanessa says she would head offshore again to pursue a Master’s in Data Science, but for now she is busy convincing her peers of the value of a New Zealand education.

    “I tell them this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Don’t only go to study, go to really experience New Zealand, the culture, and the people.

    “They ask me, what if I don’t get the scholarship and I say you’ll never know if you don’t try, so just go for it. Expect to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.”

  • Wellington embraces talents, culture, and passion of international students

    While they love the great arts and culture vibe, fabulous food, and easy access to parks and hills, they choose Wellington principally for its world-class educational opportunities and diverse career prospects. 

    In a city where 23 percent of people are studying, international students quickly feel a sense of belonging as they are welcomed into a well-connected community of learners and achievers. As the capital city, Wellington offers sophisticated collaboration between education providers, research institutions, the business community, and Government. 

    Innovative programmes build long-term relationships with international students 

    Study in Wellington, a specialist team within economic development agency WellingtonNZ, promotes the region as a great place to study and enter the workforce, and recognises that international students have much to offer the city both during their stay, and after they have finished studying.  

    “International students bring their culture and their talents,” says programme lead Sarah Grant. “They bring determination, skill, and passion to our community. And they also bring a good work ethic with them.   

    Study in Wellington is focused on building-long-term relationships with students and alumni and has developed an innovative range of programmes tailored to each stage of an international student’s journey, and to provide channels for future collaboration.  

    Networking programmes key to “amazing” experience 

    For 25-year-old Shamanthi Jayawardena, leaving her home in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to study overseas in 2019 was a big decision and there were plenty of options. In the end she chose Wellington, saying the “cool city vibe” and reputation for safety attracted her, along with the quality of the courses available at Victoria University. 

    Returning home 15 months later, having completed her Master’s in Global Marketing, she reflects on an “amazing” experience in Wellington and says much of it was down to her involvement in the programmes offered by Study in Wellington, including Work Ready in Wellington, Alumni Connect and Employer Connect. 

    She says there’s no doubt a highlight was being involved in Employer Connect, which builds up the networking skills of graduating students and connects them with employers.

    “As a project coordinator facilitator, I got the chance to meet people from diverse backgrounds, understand their needs and help design a programme that benefits both the international students and the community of local organisations.” 

    So successful was Shamanthi’s networking that she landed a contract role with Wellington design and digital agency Obvious and continues to work for them remotely from Sri Lanka. 

    The opportunity to succeed is there for all international students, Shamanthi says. 

    “You need to be open-minded, connect with the programmes available to you, and put yourself out there. It’s a great place to follow your passion.” 

    Wellington proud of its international student community 

    Grant is proud of the way Wellington embraces its international student community, even with closed borders.  

    “We are ready to welcome back students when we can and believe that we do provide a unique experience and the opportunity to really get connected with the local community, businesses, and institutions. 

    “In return, the students make Wellington a more dynamic and interesting city.” 

  • Winds of Change students team up to tackle shared climate challenges

    While world leaders continue to discuss how to best tackle global warming, an inspiring group of students is stepping up collaboration between New Zealand and Chile to better understand the problems both countries face, share knowledge, and identify solutions.

    The Winds of Change programme, funded by the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (LatAm CAPE) and hosted by Otago University, is taking a broad approach by drawing in post-graduate students from a range of backgrounds including natural, physical or social science, business, finance, science communication, and humanities.

    They are motivated to tackle climate change by developing sustainable strategies in land management, business, and policy-making. Supporting them is a team of talented academics from both countries whose insight and expertise are helping to create impact.

    “The Winds of Change participants are extraordinary leaders from diverse backgrounds with a passion for making a difference,” says lead Otago academic Associate Professor Chris Moy.

    “Their collaborative work will help inspire communities and drive change.”

    Joining forces to reach common goals

    Project manager Hélène Eunson says the multi-disciplinary approach is vital. “It is one of the key features and strengths of the programme. We need people who bring a range of perspectives in addressing climate change issues,” she says.

    “We have come to realise that the scientists want to learn more about business and policy-making, and the policy-makers want to learn more about the science. We are trying to join forces to reach our common goals.”

    Now in its second year, Ms Eunson says there has been huge interest in the six-month programme, which seeks to attract 30 students in each cohort - 10 New Zealanders based in New Zealand, 10 Chilean students based in New Zealand (“Chiwis”), and 10 Chileans based in Chile.

    “These young leaders have a real drive to make a change. They volunteer their time and do not earn credits towards their degrees.”

    The participants work in small groups on projects based on common interest, to investigate an aspect of climate change, its impact on the environment and communities, and to identify solutions. Their findings are presented at an annual symposium attended by key industry players, researchers, embassy representatives, and past participants.

    The Winds of Change programme includes a series of workshops hosted by a range of expert speakers from both countries including business owners, industry experts, and academics studying climate change.

    Pacific partners help shape future solutions

    By studying the common climate change impacts that New Zealand and Chile are facing, the students are not only helping to shape future solutions, but also to build relationships with a key Pacific partner and enhance economic and social wellbeing in both countries.

    Projects undertaken by the participants have tackled wide-ranging issues including wetland restoration, wildfires, water scarcity, rising sea levels, diversity in agriculture, and renewable energies.

    Ms Eunson says the concept of global citizenship is a strong theme which runs through the programme. “The participants share experiences from their own countries and help to create bonds with each other by bringing their different perspectives to the table.”

    Being involved in the programme has been a profound experience for many of the participants.

    “Often, if you think as an individual about environmental issues, you don’t feel as though you can achieve much, but when you see all these people together with the same objective, you feel really powerful to make change,” says Julia Harvey, who grew up in Invercargill.

    “Meeting people from different backgrounds with a common interest has provided a unique opportunity to learn about sustainability in both countries,” says Javiera Otero, originally from Villa Alemana, Chile, but currently living in Napier.

    “This experience has given me hope for the future, as there are people out there who want to make changes to live a more compatible life with the planet.”

    Winds of Change programme builds credibility and impact

    Winds of Change is quickly building its network and outreach. “As we build the credibility of the programme, we will start to see long-term impacts,” Ms Eunson predicts.

    This new generation of leaders is already anticipating a future of global collaboration. In last year’s first post-programme survey, participants identified the most important benefits as “building networks, connections, and relationships”, and “having confidence to work in a transnational team”.

    LatAm CAPE Director Matthew O’Meagher says he looks forward to the ongoing expansion of the programme to include other partners, and ideally other nations in Latin America. “In this way we can continue to provide the best opportunities for our talented young New Zealanders to engage internationally on innovative scientific, sustainable business, and policy-focused, solutions to climate change.”

    Dr Moy agrees. “Our future depends on culturally-aware young leaders that can think globally and work collaboratively to tackle climate change impacts.”

    Learn more about the Winds of Change programme on the LatAm CAPE website.

  • International student enrolments continue upward surge

    “Enrolments are steadily rising to pre-pandemic levels, with 2024 enrolments (83,425) now at 72 percent of 2019 totals (115,705).  

    “New Zealand reaps a broad range of economic, social and cultural benefits from having international students in our midst. International education boosts our economy, creates business opportunities, fuels innovation, and delivers essential cross-cultural skills for a more connected world.  

    “This sustained growth highlights the international education sector’s progress towards achieving the Government’s Going for Growth Plan goal of doubling the export revenue from international education by 2034.  

    “Universities and government-funded private training establishments (PTEs) are close to matching 2019 enrolment numbers. We are seeing enrolments grow across universities, schools, Te Pūkenga/NZIST, government-funded PTEs, and English language schools subsectors. In 2024, the strongest year-on-year growth was seen at government-funded PTEs (+59%) along with primary (+53%) and intermediate (+32%) schools.  

    “Universities saw 33,485 total enrolments, schools had 18,350 enrolments, while Te Pūkenga/NZIST and government-funded PTEs each had 10,270 and 10,185 enrolments, respectively.  

    “More international students are now enrolled for master’s study programmes in New Zealand. Between 2023 and 2024, there has been a 68% increase in master’s enrolments, with 14,695 international students in 2024, up from 8,740 in 2023. This is an 85% increase compared to 2019 when we had 7,945 enrolments for master’s study.  

    “The overall rise in enrolments at the national level is underscored by a diversity of regions leading strong growth from 2023, including Waikato (+50%), Hawke’s Bay (+44%), West Coast (+185%) and Gisborne (+156%). The Waikato region is notable in that it has seen significant growth across multiple subsectors: universities, Te Pūkenga/NZIST, government-funded PTEs and schools.  

    “China and India remain the top two source markets for international student enrolments with 34% and 14% enrolments respectively, followed by Japan (9%), South Korea (4%), Thailand (3%), United States of America (3%), Germany (3%), the Philippines (3%) and Sri Lanka (3%),” Malu says.  

    More information on enrolment numbers can be found here.  

     

    Note: All numbers are current as at 1 April 2025. Full numbers have been rounded to the nearest five. One individual may enrol more than once.  

    Government-funded PTEs are PTEs that receive government student funding for learners who are defined as domestic students under the Education and Training Act 2020 (note that PhD and exchange students are defined as domestic students under the Act).  

    For further information:  

    Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand 

    sai.raje@enz.govt.nz   

    +64 21 479 649  

    About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ)

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences.  

    With approximately 82 staff in 14 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Wānanga, private training establishments, New Zealand Institute of Technology/Te Pūkenga, and universities. Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector. 

  • Māori cultural experience builds lasting bonds for international students

    Alongside courses in Māori culture, customs and language, some educational providers in New Zealand have offered an immersive noho marae (marae stay) experience. For students a long way from home, the warmth of the welcome and the sharing of knowledge, traditions, and food, gives them a lasting sense of belonging to Aotearoa.  

    One of the first educators to recognise the importance of sharing Māori culture with international students is Taituwha King, Senior Lecturer in Māori and Indigenous Development at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). For almost 20 years he has been running noho marae at the beginning of each semester to give international students a comprehensive cultural introduction to their study experience.

    Such was the success of noho marae that King developed a course around it, called International Noho Marae – Indigenous Encounters of a Māori Kind, in 2010. It covers basic Te Reo Māori, Māori history, waiata (songs), and cultural customs, and is capped off with a weekend marae stay. It quickly became the second most popular class for international students at AUT, after another of King’s classes – Te Ara Pou Leadership. More than 1500 students have enrolled in the courses since 2002.    

    “The courses put indigenous goggles on students and open them up to areas of discussion with their own indigenous people,” King says.

    Immersing in Māori culture is life changing

    This is certainly true for Native American student Hailey Suina, from the Pueblo of Cochiti and Navajo Nation. She travelled to New Zealand on the Education New Zealand Go Overseas scholarship, already curious to explore the cultural connections between the Māori people and the indigenous people of North America.

    She describes the time she spent immersed in Māori culture as “life-changing,” and returned home determined to use her experiences to become a leader in her community. 

    Hailey says she was amazed by the similarities between the Cochiti Pueblo and Māori peoples, which include a collectivist rather than an individualistic culture, a sense of guardianship for nature, and strong ties with ancestors. 

    “From the moment I arrived, I felt a deep connection with the Māori culture. It was like stepping from one home to another.”

    So strong was the concept of whānau and whakawhanaungatanga (kinship connections) for a number of King’s students, that they developed Whānau Councils as a way of staying connected and building on the bonds of their shared New Zealand experience once they returned home. With the first one established in 2010, there are now three - two in the US and one in Europe.

    Pre-Covid, students in Europe would meet up annually. King and other AUT staff committed to joining them, cementing the enduring relationship and ongoing commitment of AUT to its alumni.

    “Events like noho marae and the Whānau Council meet-ups also provide an opportunity for prospective international students to learn about and consider AUT as a destination to study abroad and build relationships with key employers linked to our alumni,” says King.

    Europe council co-founder Anne Heimbeig says being part of the Whānau Council is “a very emotional thing”.

    “I’ve met great people from different countries. Together, we’ve overcome lots of stereotypes and wrong assumptions, and brought Māori culture out into the world.”

    There was a sense of home, belonging, warmth, and love on the marae, says East Coast USA council co-founder Jessica Cohen.

    “Being in the Whānau Council allows us to keep that spirit alive and remember the value of our whānau even when we are far away from our beloved Aotearoa.”

  • Upcoming webinar: New Zealand International Education Enrolments 2024

    Webinar details

    Following the recent launch of the International Education Going for Growth Plan, join this webinar with Marie Clark, Director Insights, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, to hear more about the 2024 international student enrolments.

    The full-year 2024 international student enrolments saw New Zealand reach 72 percent of pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019, with most sub-sectors contributing to this growth. Primary and intermediate schools have experienced the strongest growth, and New Zealand universities and government-funded PTEs are now very close to meeting or exceeding their 2019 enrolment numbers.

    During this session, Marie will take participants through the data, including total enrolment numbers by subsector, highlight emerging trends and will offer advice on how this information can be used in your organisational planning.

    If you have something you would like us to specifically highlight or a question please email insights@enz.govt.nz by 5pm Monday 28 July.

  • From Viet Nam to Aotearoa: 20 bright minds awarded school scholarships

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) proudly celebrated the achievements of 20 outstanding Vietnamese students at the New Zealand School Scholarships (NZSS) 2025 awards ceremony and pre-departure briefing, held on 22 June 2025 in Ho Chi Minh city. 

    The event marked a milestone for these young students and their families, as they prepare to embark on a transformative education journey in New Zealand. It also served as a valuable orientation platform, offering practical insights into studying and living in New Zealand through sharing sessions led by NZSS alumni and their parents. 

    Now in its fifth year, the NZSS programme continues to strengthen its footprint with a record 45 participating New Zealand high schools and 47 fully completed applications resulting in 20 winners this year. 

    Among the New Zealand schools that successfully secured NZSS students, one private and four public schools joined for the first time – a testament to the programme’s growing influence and effectiveness in engaging with the education market in Viet Nam. 

    Participation in NZSS plays a vital role in raising New Zealand schools’ profile in Viet Nam. ENZ rolled out the 2025 NZSS campaign from January to March, with additional amplification in June, generating 48 media clippings with a combined PR value of NZD 131,000 and a social media reach of over 2 million in Viet Nam.  

    Speaking at the ceremony, New Zealand Consul-General and Trade Commissioner in Ho Chi Minh City, Scott James, said: “You had many choices for your education, and you chose New Zealand. For that, we are truly grateful.”  

    The latest awardees of the New Zealand School Scholarship pictured alongside their parents and representatives from ENZ and NZ Inc.

    Nguyễn Thiện Nhân, one of the 2025 awardees, shared his emotions on receiving the scholarship: 

    “Being selected for this scholarship is not only one of the greatest honours of my life, but a moment that reminds me that hard work, belief, and perseverance can lead to something truly life changing. The more I learned about New Zealand – its values, its education system, and its people – the more I felt a strong connection. I realised: this isn’t just a place to study, it’s a place to grow.” 

    ENZ Regional Director – Asia (excluding China), Ben Burrowes, said he is proud to see the tangible impact of this scholarship.  
     
    “Many NZSS alumni have already achieved great success in their study and personal development journeys. Some are now beginning their careers in New Zealand, joining our workforce and contributing meaningfully to our economy and communities,” he said.   

    “These achievements reflect both their talent and the opportunity the NZSS programme provides, and we are confident today’s recipients will follow in their footsteps,” Ben added. 

    This year’s scholarship ceremony coincided with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam – a fitting backdrop to a programme that continues to strengthen people-to-people ties and foster future global citizens. 

  • Student visas moving to enhanced Immigration Online

    From 18 August 2025, all international student visa applications will move to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. For education agents submitting applications on behalf of international students around this timeframe, here are important updates on how applications will be managed during this transition –  

    • All applications submitted on or before 17 August will be processed under the old system 

    • Draft applications that have not been submitted by 17 August have until 17 September to be completed and submitted. 

    • International students should still aim to apply 3 months ahead of their intended travel date regardless of the change in Immigration New Zealand’s application forms. This will help to avoid delays that may impact students’ ability to begin study.   

    To help you prepare, Immigration New Zealand has developed this video explaining the new process: Guidance on the new Student Visa application form. 

    If you have questions, please submit using this form: https://forms.office.com/r/DkHAk36fiw by 1 August, Friday 6pm NZDT. 

    Responses will be uploaded onto https://agentlab.enz.govt.nz/inz-faq-topics/ on 18 August. 

    Important to note: Immigration New Zealand will do its best to answer submitted questions but may not be able to respond to all of them. Questions that will be resolved by viewing/using the new Student Visa application form on 18 August will not be answered. 

  • From the CE: From planning to implementation on growing international education

    Kia ora koutou,  

    It was wonderful to see the International Education Going for Growth Plan announcement in July coincide with positive student stories from regions such as Canterbury and the Waikato. These featured the rise in international student numbers across subsectors, and local councils celebrating international student achievements and community contributions. 

    This month we have turned our minds to implementation, with the launch of our Go-To-Market Plans. These plans focus on nine markets with the highest potential for growth: China, India, the United States of America, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.  

    The next step for ENZ is to develop ‘lighter touch,’ tailored plans for markets where we will maintain New Zealand’s strong presence and reputation for high-quality education: Germany, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Chile and Colombia.  

    An incredible amount of cross-sector engagement has gone into progressing this work. I am grateful to education providers for the open and meaningful way you have responded over the past few weeks.   

    On 11 August, ENZ launched a new brand campaign – New Zealand Taught Me – that highlights stories of alumni of New Zealand, aiming to connect emotionally with the values and aspirations of globally-minded prospective international students.  

    Delivered at pace, this campaign is designed to reignite and heighten interest in New Zealand as a study destination, ahead of the full launch of a New Zealand global brand platform later in the year. If you have not seen the campaign hero video, you can view and reshare it off this link. 

    Next month, I will be attending the 35th European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, followed by the ICEF Monitor Global Summit in London, UK, where I will be sharing insights on students’ preferences for study in New Zealand and our plan to build international student enrolments over the next 10 years.   

    Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina  

    Seek to bring distant horizons closer, and sustain and cherish those that you attain 

    Ngā mihi nui,  

    Amanda Malu  

    Chief Executive 

  • Viet Nam webinar series boosts interest in New Zealand ITPs and PTEs

    The webinar series is part of a work programme to raise the profile of New Zealand’s subsectors in Viet Nam, while strengthening connections between New Zealand providers and Vietnamese education agents. 

    This initiative is key to ENZ’s ongoing efforts to diversify New Zealand’s international education offerings in Viet Nam, and ensuring prospective students are aware of the practical skills, industry connections, and post-study opportunities they can gain through New Zealand ITPs and PTEs. 

    The series featured three education agent-focused webinars, and one session for prospective students and their parents co-organised by ENZ and seven local education agencies. 

    The agent-focused webinars attracted an average of over 120 attendees per session, peaking at 131, demonstrating strong interest from Viet Nam’s agent network.  

    The student-facing webinar drew around 200 registrations and had 70 prospective students attend. 

    Participating New Zealand providers included Wintec, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Eastern Institute of Technology, Toi Ohomai, Southern Institute of Technology, WelTec & Whitireia, New Zealand Skills and Education Group, Pacific International Hotel Management School, Le Cordon Bleu, and Up Education (NZTC, NZMA, Yoobee).  

    This wide sector presence ensured agents and prospective students received timely sector updates and insights first hand.  

    Immigration New Zealand contributed to the first agent-only session with updated details on in-study and post-study work rights for international students in vocational and degree programmes at ITPs and PTEs. They also shared policy updates, guidance, best practice on pathway visas, and practical tips to help agents prepare and submit strong visa applications for ITP/PTE students. 

    ENZ Market Manager Van Banh said the feedback was positive.  

    “New Zealand providers said they really valued the opportunity to connect with the Vietnamese market through these webinars, noting that the format allowed them to share tailored information and highlight the strengths of their programmes,” she said.  

    “Vietnamese agents also gave positive feedback, and said the sessions equipped them with practical knowledge about New Zealand’s study options with ITPs and PTEs, so they can be even more confident and effective in their conversations with prospective students,” Van added. 

     

     

What's in it for me?