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  • Southern Institute of Technology cultural education exchange introduces Aotearoa to Kansas

    When Covid hit, the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) knew that it was well placed to engage with its students digitally, as it already had a well-established distance learning faculty. The next move was to look at how that capability could be used for international education.

    Using distance learning for cultural education internationally

    Beyond widening its offering of fees-based online courses, SIT understood the value of establishing cultural exchanges which would engage current learners and potentially generate interest from future learners, says Study Abroad and Partnership Officer Whitney Irwin. She worked in collaboration with the School of Business faculty to set up the cultural exchange between SIT students and those at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Kansas, USA. “Being able to create buy-in and have a motivated faculty to get partnership projects across the line is the key to success. SIT has a wonderful culture, and we have all worked together to reorientate our international strategy for the greater good of SIT and our wider community.”

    Experiencing New Zealand Life from afar

    Twenty-five JCCC Economics students asked to be involved out of a class of sixty, reflecting a desire to learn about far-flung New Zealand, meet global peers and to try something new. From SIT, 23 Management students and 28 Communications students took part, with both groups of students using the interactions to produce assessed work.

    “Our aim was to allow US students to see New Zealand life and get a taste of who we are, what we do, and how do we do it, with the bonus that it could also lead to the opening of doors for students to visit New Zealand, and vice versa,” says tutor Selena Coburn.

    Using Zoom, Snapchat, and Instagram, students interviewed each other to learn about our different cultures, looking at differences in communication, lifestyle, politics, and making economic comparisons. Minimum wage, average house prices, and everyday living costs were compared, what the US and NZ dollar bought, and who was actually better off overall.

    They learned about New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, rural life, Māori culture, the filming of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, our outdoors lifestyle, and our connections with Australia. They also explored more personal subjects - relationships, music preferences, religious beliefs, parental expectations, and what they did in their spare time.

    “The Kansas students now have a real sense of the kind of people we are,” Ms Coburn says.

    Creating opportunities with a cultural education exchange

    Digital collaboration also presents an opportunity for students, both in New Zealand and offshore, who could never afford to travel or would be uncomfortable leaving their home country, to still experience the cultural exchange which international education offers,” Ms Irwin says.

    “It builds confidence and familiarity with a destination such as New Zealand which may encourage the students to travel here for study later on.”

    And this has proved to be the case, with six Kansas students already saying they are keen to come to New Zealand.

    “All going well, the intention is to host JCCC students here at SIT in 2023.” Ms Irwin says she expects the changes in the ways education is being delivered will continue well into the post-Covid environment.

    “Virtual exchanges are a fantastic collaboration of ideas, which can lead on to the development of other educational products and services.”

  • Student-led business sets out to break down barriers

    InterStudentsNZ, a platform which will host resources and courses to meet the needs of international students, is a regional winner in the Company of the Year category in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme. It also scooped the Excellence in Promotion Award and Paying it Forward Award.

    InterStudentsNZ is the brainchild of budding entrepreneurs Mackenzie Roskruge (CEO), KimSreng Keo (Production Manager), and Russle La Morena (Finance Director), who met through the college’s international student buddy scheme. They bonded over a shared interest in education and curiosity about their cultural differences.

    Mackenzie and Russle are both domestic students, but Kim arrived in New Zealand in 2018 as an international student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, knowing no-one and understanding little of what seemed to be a strange, new culture.

    He believes that international students enrich New Zealand communities and have much to offer, but that many don’t make the most of their time here because they face challenges integrating into the community and planning a future beyond school.

    “Understanding how people think and how to communicate is important,” he says. “When we first arrive many of us have a big language barrier. There are even subtle cultural differences which we don’t understand, and which need explanation.”

    Platform driven by students, for students

    Sharing his insights of the challenges that international students can face, the friends determined that more support was needed and that a platform driven by students, for students, was the answer.

    The opportunity to enter the Young Enterprise Scheme through their Year 13 Business Studies course, gave the students a chance to turn their ideas into reality.

    InterStudentsNZ has big plans. The team want to create a one-stop shop for resources tailored for students to better understand New Zealand’s education system, work environment, and culture.

    “For example, if a student came to us and wanted to learn about New Zealand slang, we could direct them to a one-hour course with video tutorials, quizzes and written explanations to help them master slang,” says Mackenzie.

    “Or a student might want to learn about social innovation in New Zealand. We could potentially provide a one-two hour course each week for a month with case studies, opportunities for mentorship, and tools for how they could move into social innovation themselves.

    Empowering international students in New Zealand

    "We hope students will feel empowered to learn new subjects and inspired to remain studying and working in New Zealand."

    And it’s not only international students who stand to benefit. Surveys of domestic students at Waitakere College showed that they were also interested to explore topics which would likely make them more engaged and invested in their education.

    The InterStudentsNZ team all plan to study at the University of Auckland next year and hope to continue developing their business. With more funding, they would like to add workplace mentorship opportunities for international students, courses in te ao Maori, New Zealand history, and New Zealand industry pathways. They also plan a blog space and a social media presence. “We’re creating a digital Aotearoa for rangatahi all around the world to explore.”

    Giving international students a sense of belonging

    Kim is proud of how much he has achieved since arriving in Auckland as a shy 14-year-old, and grateful for the support he has received from his New Zealand friends. “Working alongside them has been amazing and allowed me to gain so much more confidence. Now we’ve come up with this idea on how to help international students, it’s really strengthened our relationship as a team. “Our business motto is ‘Encouraging Connections’ and that sums up our goals,” says Mackenzie. “It’s about building bridges and supporting international students, giving them a sense of belonging and a great future in New Zealand.”

  • 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.”

  • 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. 

  • New Zealand education featured at leading India events

    ENZ Team India flew the flag for New Zealand at the IC3 Annual Conference & Exhibition 2025 in Mumbai and the G2 Gen Next Higher Education Summit in Bengaluru.  

    Both events are recognised as cornerstone platforms in India’s education calendar, drawing senior decision-makers and influencers from across South Asia. 

    At the IC3 Annual Conference, which welcomed over 1000 school leaders, career counsellors, and education providers, ENZ’s booth attracted significant engagement from a wide range of attendees. 

    ENZ Market Development Manager Bhupinder Kaur engaging with high school counsellors at the IC3 ENZ booth.

    The booth served as a central hub for sharing New Zealand’s education story, distributing tailored resources, and building meaningful connections with high school counsellors.  

    University of Auckland Director International, Martin Hookham-Simms, representing New Zealand at the session on Destination Alignment at IC3 Conference.

    New Zealand’s quality offering was further profiled in a breakout session on the topic ‘Destination Alignment: A Best-Fit Framework for UK, US & New Zealand.  

    University of Auckland Director International, Martin Hookham Simms, represented New Zealand in the session, speaking alongside University of Southampton Executive Director – India Implementation, David Winstanley and Rice University Deputy Director of Admission, Jessica Griffith.  

    The discussion highlighted emerging student preferences for the UK, US, and New Zealand, offering a practical breakdown of how to assess each destination using key criteria such as academic fit, affordability, career opportunities, and cultural context. Drawing on first-hand insights from senior university leaders, the session equipped attendees with actionable tools to help students make confident, informed, and best-fit decisions. 

    ENZ Director of Engagement East Asia & India, Jugnu Roy, representing ENZ at the g2 Conference by Gen Next Education during the Country Spotlight session.

    Over to the g2 Gen Next Summit, ENZ led a dedicated Country Spotlight session to highlight New Zealand’s world-class education system and demonstrate its relevance to India’s evolving education priorities.  

    The g2 Gen Next Summit is known for facilitating high-impact dialogue between high schools and global universities, making it a valuable space for ENZ to promote New Zealand's educational identity and grow partnerships. 

    ENZ Team India with high school counsellors at the g2 Experience 2025 in Bengaluru.

    ENZ also hosted a targeted roundtable with high school counsellors, providing a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s holistic and future-ready study environment, and reinforcing pathways for Indian students. 

    Director of Engagement, Jugnu Roy, said the events provided a great platform to demonstrate New Zealand’s unique strengths in education.  

    “Through our presence at IC3 and the Country Spotlight session at g2, we were able to strengthen relationships with influential school counsellors, share up-to-date resources, and highlight New Zealand’s academic strengths, inclusive values, and commitment to student wellbeing,” she said. 

    “This direct engagement supports our long-term strategy in India to position New Zealand as a preferred international study destination,” Jugnu added. 

  • Connecting with education providers and agents in Germany

    Earlier this month, ENZ took part in the ICEF Conference in Berlin. ENZ Associate Director of Engagement, Olga Elli, joined a panel discussion on the topic ‘Australia and New Zealand: The Year That Was and the Year Ahead’. This session brought together agents and providers from around the world to explore policy updates, challenges, and opportunities in international education. 

    Central to the discussion was New Zealand’s International Education Going for Growth Plan, with its ambitious goals and targets. Olga highlighted that the strategy is built around sustainable growth and grounded in public support as well as student success. She reinforced a message that resonated strongly with the audience: New Zealand is open, and students are welcome. 

    ENZ Associate Director of Engagement, Olga Elli, participating in a panel discussion at the ICEF Conference in Berlin.

    Another key engagement in Germany was a roundtable with Hamburg-based education agents, held during a cultural night at MARKK Museum and hosted by New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Craig Hawke. 

    The roundtable provided an excellent opportunity to exchange market insights, address challenges, and identify new opportunities. Agents shared positive feedback on New Zealand’s growing popularity among German students, citing safety, high-quality education, and the manaakitanga New Zealand offers as key drivers. 

    They also noted the success of scholarship campaigns in promoting New Zealand as a study destination. Single-sex schools were highlighted as particularly appealing to high-performing German student athletes, and agents expressed interest in exploring new schools in smaller coastal towns. 

    Olga said engagements like this reaffirm the importance New Zealand places on collaboration and open dialogue with international partners. “By sharing insights, addressing challenges, and celebrating cultural connections, we continue to strengthen New Zealand’s position as a trusted and welcoming study destination,” Olga said. 

    ENZ will continue working closely with education agents to ensure they have up-to-date information on New Zealand, awareness of emerging policy updates, and access to New Zealand Taught Me campaign materials – so students can experience the very best our country has to offer. 

  • South Korea event series highlights growing interest in New Zealand

    New Zealand Education Fair in Korea draws strong interest 

    The New Zealand Education Fair in Seoul brought together 40 New Zealand schools and institutions, offering students and parents the chance to explore study opportunities directly with representatives. 

     

    Representatives from University of Auckland English Academy showcasing study options available to prospective students and their parents at the New Zealand Education Fair.

    The event attracted 2,100 pre-registrations, with 900 participants attending on the day, underscoring the strong demand for New Zealand education pathways. Families engaged in one-to-one consultations, gaining tailored advice on study options, English preparation, and scholarship opportunities.

    During the fair, alumni speakers were invited to share their personal journeys and provide guidance to attendees. They spoke about effective English study strategies before departure, practical approaches to a family “one-year living in New Zealand” experience, and the pathways from New Zealand study to admission into leading universities.  

    Strong interest in primary education 

    The fair confirmed a notable shift in interest, with Korean families showing particularly strong enthusiasm for primary education opportunities in New Zealand.  

    Many families expressed interest in spending at least a year in New Zealand with their young children, allowing them to experience the country’s safe and nurturing education environment first-hand. This reflects a growing trend in Korea towards family-based study abroad and “one-year living overseas” experiences. 

    Expanding interest in New Zealand education 

    While in Korea, New Zealand schools took part in the Agent Seminar and one-to-one meetings attended by 51 Korean education agency representatives. There was notable participation from agencies not specialising solely in New Zealand, who are now increasingly considering it a key English-speaking study destination to promote.  

    The event also provided a valuable opportunity for active engagement between New Zealand education providers and agents, followed by the New Zealand Education Night Reception at the official residence of New Zealand’s Ambassador to South Korea, H.E Dawn Bennet. There, deeper exchanges were held with Korean government officials, education stakeholders, and agency representatives. 

    Positive feedback from schools and families 

    New Zealand schools noted the high level of engagement and the quality of conversations with Korean students and their families at the New Zealand Education Fair. Attendees also shared positive feedback, commenting on the value of direct consultations with New Zealand education providers. 

    The Korea fair followed ENZ-led events in Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam, and marked the final stop in this season’s dedicated New Zealand education fairs across Asia. Together, these events have strengthened New Zealand’s connections with families across the region and reinforced the country’s reputation as a world-class study destination. 

    ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager based in Seoul, Kay Lee, said the fair was a valuable platform to not only promote a New Zealand education, but gather insights too. 

    “It clearly showed how market trends and the expectations of Korean students and families are evolving,” she said. 

    “For students, it provided a strong understanding of the benefits of New Zealand’s education system, while for schools it was an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with highly interested families,” Kay added. 

  • Celebrating excellence: ENZ hosts inaugural New Zealand Universities Awards in Viet Nam

    The event highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Vietnamese students and reaffirmed the strong education partnership between the two countries during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. 

    The NZUA programme was officially announced by Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon during a visit to Viet Nam earlier this year. It is the first New Zealand Government-backed undergraduate scholarship exclusively for Vietnamese students.  

    Following a competitive selection process, eight outstanding high school students were awarded the inaugural NZUA scholarships. Each recipient distinguished themselves not only through academic excellence but also through their personal aspirations, resilience, and commitment to engaging with the world.  

    At the ceremony, the students were formally presented with their scholarship certificates by Trade Commissioner Scott James and ENZ Regional Director – Asia (excluding China), Ben Burrowes. The celebration was witnessed by families, representatives from New Zealand universities and education agencies. 

    In his address, Scott highlighted the significance of this milestone.  

    “The inaugural NZUA cohort are not only exceptional students, but also cultural and intellectual bridges between our two nations. They stand as a vivid testament to the strong and enduring educational partnership between Viet Nam and New Zealand,” he said.  

    Ben also emphasised the value of the programme. 

    “The NZUA scholarship reflects the spirit of valuing both knowledge and people – a core principle of New Zealand’s education system. 

    “We are proud to welcome the first generation of NZUA Vietnamese students to New Zealand’s leading universities, where they will grow, integrate, and contribute to the shared progress of our world,” he said. 

    A particularly symbolic moment of the ceremony was the connection ritual between university representatives and the scholarship recipients. Students received congratulatory gifts and placed stars on a map of New Zealand to mark the cities and universities where they will soon study – a visual representation of the “first steps” of the NZUA generation.  

    Among the recipients, Do Tran Phuong Uyen said that she feels the scholarship is much more than financial support.  

    “It represents belief – belief in our potential, our dreams, and our ability to contribute to our communities and to the ongoing relationship between Viet Nam and New Zealand,” she said.  

    “It shows that young Vietnamese students can become leaders, innovators, and responsible global citizens,” Do added. 

    Parents also expressed their trust and confidence in New Zealand’s education system.  

    Ho Tuyen Truyen, father of recipient Ho Nhu Quynh Chi, said he places his full trust in New Zealand’s safe, high-quality education system.  

    “I believe that in this environment, my child will be nurtured with knowledge, resilience, and compassion,” he said. 

     As the first NZUA cohort prepares to begin their journeys, the scholarship stands as a powerful symbol of New Zealand’s commitment to Viet Nam’s young talent.  

    These students are poised to become influential ambassadors, helping to strengthen educational collaboration and foster deeper people-to-people connections between New Zealand and Viet Nam. 

  • New Zealand showcased at Expo Exterior and to leading Chilean universities 

    At Expo Exterior, ENZ Director of Engagement Javiera Visedo joined a governmental panel on the topic ‘Bridges to the Future: Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, allies of Chilean talent’.  

    Javiera spoke alongside Austrade Director of Education, Scott Bennet; Embassy of Ireland Deputy Head of Mission, Fergal Horgan and Blue Studies International Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Palacios.  

    The expo provided an excellent platform to connect with students and families eager to explore global opportunities, highlighting New Zealand’s position as a welcoming and inclusive study destination.  

    From L to R: ENZ Director of Engagement Javiera Visedo, alongside fellow panellists; Austrade Director of Education, Scott Bennet; Embassy of Ireland Deputy Head of Mission, Fergal Horgan; and Blue Studies International Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Palacios.

    In addition to Expo Exterior, ENZ participated in international fairs at Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad San Sebastián in Concepción.  

    The fairs gave ENZ a valuable chance to talk directly with students, parents, and academics, helping strengthen relationships with potential to develop new partnerships and long-term collaboration between New Zealand and Chile. 

    Director of Engagement Javiera Visedo said this activity contributes significantly to ENZ’s strategic objectives under the International Education Going for Growth plan, particularly in boosting brand awareness.  

    “While New Zealand enjoys a strong reputation in Chile, competition in the international education market is intense. By being present at these events, we connect with prospective students and build trust with parents and academic leaders who often influence study decisions,” she said. 

  • Economic Value of International Education

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