21 August 2025 at 10:30 am
Language and culture exchange strengthens ties with South Korea
Seventy high-achieving Korean school students have just wrapped up a week-long visit to New Zealand. The visit formed the second half of a unique two-part English language and cultural exchange programme supported under the Korea-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
The students, from 64 schools across South Korea, were welcomed by Waiuku College and St Peter’s School in Cambridge, where they connected with local students, explored school facilities, and experienced Kiwi culture first-hand. From powhiri to classroom visits, the exchange sparked meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Powhiri at Waiuku College.
Waiuku College Director of Community and Global Relations, Antionette Walters, said the students were amazing, and willing to make the most of their experience.
“They were so happy to give anything a go – they even loved trying a New Zealand mince pie!” she said.
At St Peter’s, students toured the Equestrian Centre and Golf Academy, with Head of School Jason Speedy welcoming the group and sharing insights into the school’s campus and learning environment.
The visit followed a two-week English training programme in rural South Korea, where six experienced New Zealand teachers taught students aged Year 8–11. Selected from over 35 applicants, the teachers represented schools from Hamilton, Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, Cambridge, Wellington, and Tauranga.
ENZ representatives joined the programme’s opening event in Yangpyeong on 25 July, meeting the teachers and witnessing the enthusiasm of Korean students engaging with New Zealand’s distinctive teaching style.
Bernadette Moffat, ESOL Teacher at Silverdale Normal School and Huntly Primary School, said: “It was a privilege to represent New Zealand and see how eager the students were to learn.”
Bernadette was one of six New Zealand teachers who travelled to Korea to teach English and attended the closing ceremony where students were recognised for excellence in English.
Looking ahead, EPIS is exploring the possibility of expanding the current short visit into a four-week study experience in New Zealand from 2026, offering even deeper immersion for future scholarship recipients.
