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Code Camp gives Japanese students a taste of a NZ education
ENZ delivered a one-day Code Camp on 11 July to 14 high school students at Waseda Jitsugyo School, using the Code Avengers platform to deliver coding lessons in English to the students and help them build a New Zealand-themed website.
Code Avengers is a global EdTech company based in NZ that provides interactive, gamified online courses that teach a broad range of digital skills including computer coding, digital literacy, and design.
The Code Camp was delivered in a hybrid format with two instructors onsite at the school and one instructor joining online. The day received positive feedback from students who not only enjoyed learning how to code using English, but also experienced New Zealand’s inquiry-based style of learning in a fun, collaborative environment.
ENZ’s Director of Education – Japan, Misa Kitaoka, says there is plenty of potential for EdTech services in Japan.
“While there is a general perception of Japan being technologically advanced, there is a lot of catching up to do when it comes to technology . As the Japanese government accelerates the promotion of digital education during the pandemic, Code Avengers meets the immediate demands of Japanese educators to teach Digital Technology and English language.
“What makes Code Avengers unique is its user-friendliness, accessibility and affordability.”
Coming up in September, ENZ is teaming up with Young Enterprise (YES), the North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (North Asia CAPE) and MEXT Tobitate (Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) to deliver a 3-day Biz Venture Programme.
Twenty high school students from Japan and New Zealand will meet online for three days to develop business solutions to address social issues in Japan, including child poverty, gender equality and well-being, and exploring the themes of UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
Like Code Avengers, YES has been supporting secondary schools across NZ to promote youth entrepreneurship registering more than 1,000 enterprises, some of which have a strong SDGs focus on their business solutions.
Head of YES, Elizabeth Pittman says, “We are thrilled to offer our first ever entrepreneurship programme for New Zealand and Japanese students.
“With New Zealand’s geographic isolation and relatively small population, many Kiwi businesses need to think globally from the start. The BizVenture programme will allow our students to understand the Japanese business context and increase their global competency. 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.”
ENZ looks forward to continuing to exploring new modes of delivery and showcasing NZ education to key partners in Japan.
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Education features at Mayoral Forum
Held at Te Papa in Wellington, the forum comprised business seminars, “matching” sessions and presentations from notable authorities including Sir Richard Taylor – all interwoven with banquets, cultural performances and a welcoming powhiri.
Ten Mayors and Vice Mayors from China and 38 New Zealand Mayors attended.
Charles Finny, Chair of the ENZ Board and moderator of the Education Exchanges, said the forum was a great way to put key insights in front of New Zealand regions seeking partnerships with China.
“This forum is now a well-established part of our New Zealand – Chinese partnership and provides a useful platform for regions to advance their education objectives in China,” he said.
“Chinese Mayors hold overall responsibility for education in their regions, so the forum was an opportunity to connect them with New Zealand regions, and to show them the strength and consistency across New Zealand’s education system.”
Education featured on both days of the forum. This included an ENZ-led breakout session for some 50 delegates, during which panellists Jason Cushen (University of Otago), Michael O’Shaughnessy (Massey University), Jan Fitz-Gerald (Institute of Global Engagement) and Dan Milward (Gamefroot) spoke about innovation in New Zealand education before an engaging Q&A session with the audience.
In addition, a number of New Zealand and Chinese Mayors and Vice Mayors engaged in formal exchanges, with New Zealand Mayors presenting on education partnerships, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurialism in their respective regions.
Ross Fisher, ENZ’s International Market Manager – China, said the variety of presentations was impressive.
“The presentations provided a fascinating cross-section of the specific initiatives New Zealand regions were championing to prove New Zealand’s standing as a high-quality education provider,” he said.
“Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese stood out for her particularly insightful articulation of how her region offers ‘holistic education’ opportunities that fuse sustainability with innovation, science and technology, and investment.”
In turn, Chinese Mayoral representatives presented on their cities’ respective education priorities.
- Chen Zhiying, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, highlighted his city’s interest in student exchange, sister-school relationships and vocational education.
- Gao Zimin, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, spoke to the city’s priorities for cooperation in higher education, bio and marine science, sister schools, vocational education and opportunities focused specifically on urban development.
- Pei Weidong, Mayor of the Municipal Government of Liaoyang City, emphasised Liaoyang’s interest in vocational education, adding that a specific area of interest is modern agricultural education cooperation.
After a busy two days of bilateral exchanges, a closing banquet at Shed 6 on the Wellington waterfront showcased the capital city.
The forum was organised by Local Government New Zealand in collaboration with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
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Around the world in five
EUROPE
32% of CEOs study abroad, according to research
A study has found that a third of the most prominent executives in the business world benefited from international education, spending at least one semester of their university-level education overseas.
INDIA
What India’s student exodus means
A report has found that 55 percent of the 8,500 Indian parents surveyed were considering overseas universities for their children, citing international work experience and learning foreign languages as the reason.
INDONESIA
Young Indonesians are highly motivated to study abroad
An AFS survey found that 81% of 13 to 18-year-old Indonesians have considered study abroad, with personal safety and affordability being important factors. Indonesia is the fourth most-populous country in the world, and half its citizens are under the age of 30.
CHINA
More international students return home for economic confidence
More than 70 percent of Chinese international students choose to return home for work after studying abroad. Confidence in the country's economy was cited as the main reason for their return.
SINGAPORE
The story of how Singapore became a research nation
Singapore has made great strides in higher education with the quality of its research, which has also seen the rise of its research universities in global rankings.
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Pakistani student leverages language skills to connect communities
Fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and English, and passionate about community service, Usma soon became a key player working to support and connect ethnic communities in Christchurch.
So extensive have her achievements been, that she has been honoured by the university with a coveted Blues Award for community engagement, and by the Christchurch City Council with a Civic Award.
Usma arrived in New Zealand in late 2016 and gave birth to her third child shortly after arriving. “It gave me the time I needed to assess society here, and I realised the value that was placed on volunteer work.”
New Zealand values transferable skills
“My background was in teaching and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) instruction. I did teach here when I first arrived, but it was not fulfilling enough,” she says. “I needed to think what other skills I had to offer in an area of work I was passionate about. New Zealand is not a destination of degrees, it is a destination of skills, where whatever transferable skills you have to offer, are valued.”
She initially got involved in UC’s Pakistani Student Association, planning events which quickly extended beyond the student community. “I got great feedback from the wider community and different ethnic groups started coming along. People from these communities were looking for connectivity and involvement and it ended up being a multi-cultural hub.”
She admits it was not without challenges, but she was determined. “I was an international student, a woman, a mother of a special needs child, and I was working. But I managed my time. I enjoy doing volunteer work and it comes naturally.”
In her second year at Uni, she secured a role as a Diversity and Engagement Officer with the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and juggled both study and work. It was in this role that she became involved in the Government response following the Christchurch mosque attack in 2019.
Frontline worker following mosque attack
“I was one of the frontline workers dealing with victims and those left behind. Some of my colleagues were victims,” she says. “It was a difficult time. I had never had any exposure to such an event, or what the aftermath might be like. Hearing the stories, and being part of it, are totally different things.”
“I’m very proud of my work and found it very rewarding. I discovered my strengths and weaknesses and learned how much I had to offer. I could speak with many of the widows in the Muslim community in their own language, understand their needs, and advocate on their behalf. I learned how to deliver the key messages to the government agencies involved in the response and formed a link between the two groups.”
“The migrant communities have so much resilience and I believe that every disaster brings opportunity to come together, to heal, and to grow.”
Usma went on to become involved in Widows of Shuhada – an eight-part Plains FM/RNZ podcast documentary series which followed the journey of four widows following the attack.
Soon after, Covid-19 arrived in New Zealand and Usma worked on engagement with local ethnic communities, translating the Government’s messages and communicating them through a range of digital channels.
Tapping into the skills of international students
But she didn’t stop there. Usma was also influential in Christchurch’s Ethnic Communities Skills Build Programme, a project designed to smooth the pathway of migrants and international students into employment in New Zealand.
International students could join in workshops, meet career counsellors and job brokers from the Ministry of Social Development, reshape their CVs, and attend job fairs.
“I believe we need to tap into the high-level skills of post-graduate international students. We need to progress them in the right direction, utilising their skills in science, technology, and innovation.”
As for her own career, Usma could not be happier. She has secured a full-time role as a policy analyst at the Ministry of Primary Industries in Wellington and has taken a step back from her volunteer work to focus on completing her PhD this year.
She is grateful for the opportunity to study in New Zealand and to bring her family with her. Her husband is working, her children are happy, and her special needs daughter has opportunities she wouldn’t have had in Pakistan.
Usma still acts as a mentor for international students and tells them if they are to make the most of their time in New Zealand, they should “think outside the box”.
“They should think about the skills they have to offer in the community, and they will be rewarded with a transformative experience. Leaving behind the social constraints of your home country can be liberating. It’s all about following your dream.”
Usma says she’s already landed her dream job, but she plans to continue her community work once she has completed her PhD.“I believe it is my contribution to this country and I love doing it. I’m not likely to stop. I’m just settling in, finishing my PhD, and getting ready for something big. I have ambitious plans.”
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NZ strengthens education ties in North America
The visit was an opportunity to form relationships with international ministerial counterparts and key stakeholders, lead and participate in policy dialogue, and promote understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system and reforms.
Minister Tinetti began her action-packed week of engagements in Ottawa, Canada where she hosted a round table lunch on international indigenous education at the New Zealand Official Residence. This was attended by Patty Hadju, Minister of Indigenous Services and representatives from Indigenous Services Canada, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Canadian Ministry of Education, the Canadian Bureau of International Education, and Global Affairs Canada.
In between formal engagements, Minister Tinetti took time to visit York Street Public School where, as a former teacher and Principal, she enjoyed connecting with local students and teachers.
Following a busy few days in Canada, Minister Tinetti and her delegation moved on to Washington D.C for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP). The ITSP conference brings together 22 countries to discuss how to strengthen the teaching profession and ensure all students have access to quality education.
ENZ’s Director of Engagement, Americas, Middle East and Europe, Dubois Jennings said Minister Tinetti made it clear that New Zealand valued the potential opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, and her interest in developing these relationships.
“Minister Tinetti used her time at ISTP to make important connections with other countries, several senior US education officials and experts in specific areas of interest for New Zealand. Those interests include national policies around compulsory education, teacher training, professional development, higher education and vocational training” he said.
Minister Tinetti with China Education Vice Chancellor Chen Jie
Whilst in Washington D.C, Minister Tinetti also met with China Vice Minister of Education, Chen Jie. This bilateral meeting between New Zealand and China adds to the list of engagements at the Ministerial and Officials level over the past few months adding value to the strong education relationship between our two countries.
Later in the week Minister Tinetti attended the ANZAC Dawn Service where she had the opportunity to meet with Australia's Minister for Education Jason Clare.
Left: Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield and Minister Tinetti at the US Department of State.
Minister Tinetti meeting with US officials at the Department of State
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New Zealand and international secondary students to grow cultural competence skills together
Qualitative research[1] from ENZ concluded that New Zealand businesses who employed staff with cross-cultural competencies found this contributed to a more energising workplace, which helped to foster creativity and innovation as well as other benefits.
The employers agreed cross-cultural competence was a sought-after skill when hiring staff, leading ENZ to fund the programme for more high school students around the country.
Grant McPherson, Education New Zealand’s Chief Executive says, “The insights from New Zealand businesses around the benefits of cross-cultural competencies within their teams have been one of the key reasons we’ve taken this initiative to help grow cultural competency, providing an alternative to international school exchange experience while borders are closed.”
This work supports the third goal of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030 to develop global citizens within New Zealand and aims to help both students and teachers develop their cross-cultural skills together with their global peers.
ENZ and Massey University first partnered with the American Field Service (AFS) in July 2020 to launch a pilot of the NZGCC programme. The virtual programme delivers animated videos, quizzes, assignments and weekly live facilitated dialogue sessions for local and offshore learners to talk with each other online in real time.
Following the success of the pilot, ENZ today announced a further $380,000 investment to subsidise the cost for 321 New Zealand and 486 international learners to develop cultural self-awareness, empathy for other cultures, emotional resilience and ways to build bridges in multicultural settings.
18 online modules cover topics such as stereotypes, empathy, dealing with conflict and resilience, and will be delivered to international learners from India, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.
The newest students to benefit from the NZGCC programme are Whanganui Girls College, Cullinane College, Whanganui High School and Awatapu College pupils. Starting today, 23 Whanganui and Manawatu students will partake in a virtual learning exchange with 20 high school students in Tokyo, Japan, in a partnership with the Tokyo Board of Education.
Whanganui Girls College principal Sharon Steer says the new programme will help students build their understanding of global cultures – critical ‘soft’ skills that will also prepare them for life after high school as they enter the workforce.
“An important part of our curriculum is developing strong communication skills and setting our students up for success in the workplace. The NZGCC programme will add another dimension to our lessons by teaching our students how to develop meaningful relationships with one another despite language and cultural differences,” said Steer.
“This allows our students to connect with peers in Japan and learn more about their culture without having to get on a plane when international travel remains limited.”
In addition to secondary school students, the NZGCC programme will support teachers in indigenous communities in Pacific Alliance countries, and people undertaking English language and teacher training in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.
Around 100 students from decile 1 to 5 schools across New Zealand will be offered NZGCC scholarships to participate in a virtual exchange with their peers in Asia.
ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the programme’s expansion is a key part of diversifying education in new virtual forms fit for a globally connected world.
“We’re pleased to continue our support for the NZGCC programme to bring New Zealand and international learners together in a virtual environment to gain the skills needed to live, work and learn globally.
“As well as helping to develop the global citizens of tomorrow, this programme demonstrates the reciprocal benefits of international education, giving our rangatahi a chance to learn with high school students from around the world, and giving their offshore peers a chance to learn ‘with’ New Zealand and our unique way of thinking.”
More information about the NZGCC can be found here: https://www.globalup.com/
ENDS
[1] https://intellilab.enz.govt.nz/document/583-employer-perceptions-of-hiring-international-graduates
Notes to editor:
- Education New Zealand is the government agency responsible for building international education to benefit New Zealand socially, culturally and economically. For more information, visit enz.govt.nz
- Developing Global Citizens is the third goal of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2018-2030.
- Education New Zealand has a focus on developing global citizens within New Zealand, so that more learners gain the knowledge they need to live, work and learn globally.
- The Global Competency Certificate (GCC) is a research backed programme teaching cultural self-awareness, empathy for other cultures and ways to build bridges in multicultural settings. It is designed by American Field Scholars (AFS), a global non-profit internationally recognised as leaders in Global Citizenship.
- In 2020, Education New Zealand partnered with Massey University and American Field Scholars to deliver a customised version of the GCC programme to New Zealand students and international students in New Zealand and abroad.
- One Palmerston North student who completed last year’s pilot summarised the experience as ‘eye-opening’: “The main takeaway was the ability to see life from different perspectives to our own, to understand how different cultures, experiences and beliefs can impact others. Being part of this course has truly opened my eyes to some of these viewpoints and I’ve learned to embrace them with an open mind.”
Media contact
Hazel Dobbie, ENZ Director Communications
Hazel.Dobbie@enz.govt.nz 021 579 917 -
Around the World in Five
INDIA
New Zealand sees 63 percent rise in first-time visas for Indian students
An industry-oriented curriculum and a focus on a supportive educational experience has triggered an increase in Indian students choosing to study in New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND
Scholars to study traditional health system in India
A multi-disciplinary team of senior Rongoā Māori scholars, practitioners and members of the community will undertake a six-week indigenous health and entrepreneurship programme in India, supported by the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia.
GLOBAL
The world’s changing language landscape
It’s never been more difficult - or more exciting - to choose which foreign language to study, as such a wide range are now important.
GLOBAL
International students want universities to be greener
Nearly all prospective international students looking to study in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or Canada believe universities are not doing enough to be environmentally sustainable, according to new research.
ASIA
Asia outperforms continental Europe in top 500 universities for boosting student careers
In contrast to the QS World University Rankings, Asia’s top universities were shown to outperform continental Europe’s leading institutions.
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Education Minister opens ENZ Singapore office
The Minister’s visit included a market briefing from ENZ, the signing of an Education Co-operation Arrangement with the Singapore Government, and several visits to Singaporean education ministries and institutions.
John Laxon, ENZ Regional Director – South, South East Asia & the Middle East, said the office opening represents a significant milestone in ENZ’s strategy to increase the organisation’s presence across the region. The region includes five of ENZ’s priority markets (Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines).
“The Minister’s support of a stronger New Zealand education presence in the region is really appreciated, particularly as we’re seeing growth across South East Asia in the numbers of high-quality students choosing New Zealand,” said John.
“Our organisational strategy is to add value to our industry by providing better intelligence, connections and expertise in areas such as digital marketing and public relations.
“The SEA regional hub office will complement our in-market and global teams, and we look forward to connecting with our New Zealand education providers in the coming months.”
The opening follows several recruitment initiatives across ENZ’s South and South East Asia, Middle East team:
- The appointment of Ben Burrowes as ENZ’s South East Asia Regional Manager
- Recruitment of a South East Asia Regional Marketing and Communications Specialist, to be based in Singapore (recruitment closing 12 April)
- Expansion of the Viet Nam office through the appointment of Van Banh as Market Manager (Van.Banh@enz.govt.nz) and Tam Ngo as Programme Manager (Tam.Ngo@enz.govt.nz)
- Recruitment of a Market Manager responsible for Malaysia and the Philippines (short-listing underway).
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Norwegian health students head to Ara

Norwegian student Jorun Tømte
Ara formed the partnership for staff and students from New Zealand and Norway to study abroad as part of an internationalisation programme using International Education Growth Fund (IEGF) funding provided by ENZ.
Jorun Tømte was one of the first Norwegian nursing students to take up a semester-long study abroad experience at Ara during the second semester of 2017.
“I didn’t really know too much about New Zealand, but I knew that the sociocultural norms and the health sectors were somewhat similar,” she said.
“My teachers were amazing. The lectures were diverse, which gave us the opportunity to acquire information in multiple ways.”
Ara has developed relationships with more than 20 institutes in Asia and 14 institutes in Europe, including Molde University College and the Norwegian University of Science & Technology in Norway. Ara also has institutional relationships in North America, India and Australia.
In mid-2018, Ara’s nursing, midwifery and medical imaging students will move into the city’s new Te Papa Hauora/Health Precinct. The world-class hub contains the Health Research Education Facility, a $70 million building that will be home to more than 1,000 Ara students as well as Canterbury District Health Board staff and University of Canterbury researchers.
The quality of Ara’s graduates is impressive. Ara’s medical imaging students were the first in the world to train on virtual reality platforms, and its nursing students have one of the highest pass rates and employment rates in New Zealand.
Each year, Ara welcomes some 1,800 international students from 90 countries.
Click here to watch a video of Jorun discussing her time at Ara.
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A brand NEW day

A brand NEW day is here – the launch of New Zealand Education’s new brand platform, ‘I AM NEW’.
‘I AM NEW’ is a philosophy shared between those who promote a New Zealand education, and those who choose to study here. We invite potential students to 'Think New' and experience this unique approach to education, so they can say ‘I AM NEW’, too.
You’ll find everything you need to help share the New Zealand education brand story ‘I AM NEW’ and build your own story on the NEW Brand Lab. Access and download a wide range of NEW marketing resources from images to videos, templates and more.
We look forward to seeing you on the Brand Lab.