From the Chief Executive: Momentum building for a strong 2026

Kia ora koutou,

It’s a pleasure to be back as Acting Chief Executive at Education New Zealand to build on the leadership of Amanda Malu. 

Delivering on the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan is our key focus in 2026. Internally, our annual market planning process is underway. This work helps us decide where to focus our efforts – ensuring we are doing the right thing in the right places at the right time. 

An essential part of the market planning is to incorporate insights from the sector and Government agencies. Our sincere appreciation for the insights we have received so far.

The team is getting ready to lead the first ever Sri Lanka Roadshow featuring 19 New Zealand education institutions from 5 to 8 March that aims to strengthen the awareness of the New Zealand education brand and promote our undergraduate offering in the country. You can read more about our integrated promotional campaign in Sri Lanka in this edition of E-News. 

Applications remain open for the 2026 funding round of the New Zealand-China Tripartite Partnership Fund, ENZ’s long-standing initiative supporting partnerships between New Zealand and Chinese universities. This year’s round encourages proposals that highlight pathways for student mobility and transnational education alongside research collaboration. 

This month, as many of our partners and communities usher in the Lunar New Year, I want to extend warm wishes for a prosperous and energising Year of the Horse. This is an important time across several of our key markets, and a reminder of the strong cultural and people-to-people connections that underpin international education.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we continue to deliver on our shared ambitions for international education in 2026.

Okea ururoatia 

Keep striving forward.

Ngā mihi nui,
Linda Sissons 
Acting Chief Executive