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  • Entrepreneurial skills lead teams to win BizVenture Japan challenge

    The business pitch challenge centred around iconic New Zealand brand Cookie Time, which has operations in Japan. Six teams of Kiwi students and four Japanese teams experienced a taste of entrepreneurship through ‘dragon’s den’ style business pitches, tackling one of two real-world business briefs.  

    The first focussed on the development of a new product for Cookie Time to introduce to its already established Japanese food and beverage market, supported by a three-year marketing plan. 

    The second focussed on the identification of a new market opportunity for Cookie Time to deliver its existing product range, either through a new sales channel, distribution model, or food and beverage sector.   

    While Covid-19 lockdowns in 2021 meant BizVenture Japan’s pilot year was entirely virtual, BizVenture Japan 2022 saw 30 Kiwi students from across the country flown to Wellington to experience cross-cultural education in person and present their business solutions, while Japanese students gathered at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo.

    New Zealand’s Ambassador to Japan, Hamish Cooper, welcomed Japanese students to the New Zealand Embassy, Tokyo

    The winning New Zealand team comprised Fred Sugden from Taradale High School, Tiana Manu-Griffin from Tokoroa High School, Archie MacDonald from Cashmere High School, Jackson Wright from Whangaparaoa College and Keira Hills-Wilson from New Plymouth Girls’ High School.

    The winning New Zealand team

    Targeted at middle-aged Japanese businesspeople looking for an energy boost, and high school students fuelling their study, the line of Enerugi Cookies and Sweet Enerugi Senbei (rice cakes) combines Japanese culture, energy and the iconic Kiwi Cookie Time brand to offer a compelling product for the two target markets.  

    “Energy drinks are a growing market in Japan as people seek out more energy to work and help support their families,” said Fred Sugden, a Napier local. “At the same time, we learned that parents do not give their children energy drinks as many believe it will make their children go ‘crazy’.  

    “By offering a product with familiar and healthy ingredients like Matcha and creating a unique spin on traditional Senbei (rice cakes), we are confident our line will be enjoyed by Japanese consumers.”  

    Tiana Manu-Griffin, says the exposure to Japanese business and culture helped unleash the team’s creativity as they collaborated with like-minded individuals.

    Students from the affiliated schools of Waseda University and Japan Women’s University took part in the challenge from the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo

    “The best part of the competition was the ability to work directly with Japanese students and businesspeople, to understand the importance of culture and tradition in Japan. As a result, we developed a proposal that our target market loved, putting a twist on Japanese traditions and culture to reduce the use of energy drinks in Japan,” Manu-Griffin says.  

    “It was amazing to see what we could accomplish using our different backgrounds and experiences as a sounding board for problem-solving.” 

    BizVenture Japan students were mentored through a series of interactive workshops, where teams were encouraged to delve deep into the Japanese culture and business environment.  

    The bilateral collaboration exposed students to business and culture in both countries, with Kiwis developing their cross-cultural skills and Japanese students building on their entrepreneurial talents and English language fluency.  

    “I’m walking away from this experience with real-world skills and knowledge that I can take with me into university and the workplace. I now have a better understanding of how to approach business problems not only in New Zealand but around the world,” says Manu-Griffin. 

    Misa Kitaoka, Director of Education, Japan, for Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, says the collaboration with Japan marked a special milestone.   

    “This year we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Japan. BizVenture Japan serves as a way to continually build on this relationship, as travel for international students to New Zealand continues to open up. 

    “With education fostering people-to-people ties and supporting the development of close connections between our two countries, we cannot wait to take this collaboration to the next level in 2023.”  

    The 2022 BizVenture Japan programme is an initiative co-hosted by Education New Zealand, North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence, and Young Enterprise Trust. Education partners in Japan include Japan Women’s University affiliated schools and Waseda University affiliated schools.  

    2022 BizVenture Japan is supported by the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo and Embassy of Japan in Wellington. Cookie Time New Zealand and the Cookie Time Harajuku store kindly offered to be the focal business for the latest business challenge.

  • Two new sector-facing leadership roles at ENZ

    GM Sector Engagement

    We look forward to welcoming Wendy Kerr to Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) on 3 October 2022. Ms Kerr will take up the newly-created role of General Manager, Sector Engagement. 

    Joining us from fintech Valocity where she was Global Chief Operations Officer, Ms Kerr has rich experience in both education and commercial businesses globally. 

    Prior to Valocity, she was Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland.  She led the team there to transform the Centre and enabled the University to be recognised as Entrepreneurial University of the Year in the Asia-Pacific. 

    Ms Kerr is also Board Director for The Icehouse and sits on the Board of Epsom Girls Grammar. Previous roles include General Manager for Pearson PLC London, and Asia-Pacific Marketing Manager for Apple. She has been a TEDx speaker and has published a number one bestseller on Amazon - ‘Corporate Crossovers’. Ms Kerr has a Ngāti Mutunga and Moriori heritage and will be based in our Auckland office.  

    The Sector Engagement group delivers strategic initiatives in partnership with sector partners and stakeholders, undertakes business development, and designs and delivers new products and services.

    GM Sector Services

    Sahinde Pala was recently appointed to the newly-created role of General Manager, Sector Services.

    Ms Pala joined ENZ in 2016 after 18 years working for a multinational group of English language schools. With a career dedicated to international education, she brought extensive private sector experience in international marketing, stakeholder engagement and student experience delivery to the organisation.

    Ms Pala has held a number of roles at ENZ working with education providers, government stakeholders, regional groups, peak bodies, students’ associations and community groups. She was heavily involved in developing the International Student Wellbeing Strategy.

    With a passion for delivering an excellent customer experience, Ms Pala will be leading the newly formed Sector Services team to deliver a suite of products and services that support the sector to rebuild and thrive. This includes student experience, global citizenship, global events, and agent engagement, as well as scholarships to support domestic students to have an international education experience, and international students to study in New Zealand. 

    Sahinde is based in our Auckland office and spends her time outside of work standing on the sidelines of sports fields supporting her young boys. 

    View all senior leadership team members here.

  • Australian fair offers global gateway for Kiwi Edtech

    Although Australia is not a traditional student attraction market for New Zealand, its proximity to us as well as its size, recent digital education reforms in the wake of COVID 19, and its links to the rest of the world, create opportunities for our education technology products and services community.

    This was the first time ENZ participated with edtech companies as a group in this two-day conference and expo. With more than 11,000 attendees, 250 speakers, 250 exhibitors and 10 sub conferences (including one on edtech innovation,) EduTECH 2022 is the most comprehensive cross-sector event for education in the southern hemisphere. It brings together ‘educators and solution providers to exchange and explore ideas, techniques, and technology, with the aim of improving teaching, training and learning and raising the education standards in Australia and the world.’

    ENZ worked closely with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to maximise the overall impact for New Zealand Inc from the event, with both organisations supporting edtech companies to take part.

    EdPotential General Manager Charlie Tomlinson

    Six of NZTE’s focussed edtech customers (Orah, iUgo, Hero, Banqer, StepWeb and EdPotential) were hosted in a NZTE Pavilion at EduTECH. ENZ also supported seven edtech companies keen to explore opportunities in Australia: Learn English Live, Chasing Time English, Language Fuel,  ByteEd, Kai's Education,  Pacific Kids' Learning  and TTRO. Two other New Zealand companies, Education Perfect and MyMahi, also participated independently.

    Lianne & Jeff King, Co-founders of MyMahi

    In the spirit of collaboration, ENZ hosted an event at the NZTE Pavilion that enabled all 15 companies to connect with a number of Australian education providers as well as with NZTE, to share ideas and insights about edtech opportunities for New Zealand in Australia.  

    ENZ’s delegation also took part in the local Australian Education Technology Association’s ‘Pasta with Peers’ informal dinner, an opportunity to connect with over 200 Australian edtech founders and CEOs.

    “I found the conference really valuable - we actually picked up a series of Indigenous schools to connect in with our Indigenous programme for next year so that was great,” says Will Clarke, Learn English Live co-founder and director.

    “EduTech Australia is where it’s happening this week! Lots of information to absorb and great insights on all things edtech! It’s been awesome meeting and spending time with like-minded people who are working hard to build their businesses and brand outside of NZ. With the support of ENZ and the introduction to the NZTE team here, the future looks bright for Pacific Kids Learning,” says Evo Leota-Tupau, founder of Pacific Kids Learning.

    Aotearoa’s edtech community is increasingly being recognized for the valuable contribution it makes to international education around the world, says Alana Pellow, Business Development Manager at ENZ.

    iUgo Founder and Managing Director Nicola Smith with ENZ's Alana Pellow

    “For example, it was great to see two edtech companies being included in the Prime Minister’s recent trade mission to Australia, while several edtech exporters featured in Minister Hipkins’ recent international education engagements in the Americas.”

    Following ENZ’s successful participation in EduTECH2022, Ms Pellow is keen to explore further opportunities to bring the collective energy and momentum of the edtech sector together, to support its contribution to international education and the outcomes for learners.

    More information:

    • Aotearoa EdTech Excellence white paper 2021, developed by EdTechNZ in partnership with ENZ, says that more than 90% of New Zealand edtech businesses export or have ambition to export, with the main markets being the United States (26%) and Australia (24%).  
    • Education 2030 , a report by HolonIQ, includes predictions about the future growth of the global education market and the role of technology.
    • Australia Perception Research 2022 | New Zealand Story Group (nzstory.govt.nz), a webinar by NZStory, suggests Australia is one of the most accessible international markets for New Zealand businesses to enter, and highlights Australia’s growing admiration for the values it perceives New Zealand represents – particularly our leadership and indigenous journey. Our te ao Māori values of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga resonate deeply with both Australian consumers and businesses.

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  • New Zealand universities connect with students across Hawai’i

    Building on the momentum from last year’s inaugural visit, this year’s programme brought together an even wider network of students, counsellors, and partners – reflecting the growing interest across Hawai‘i in international pathways.

    This year’s showcase again benefitted from strong NZ Inc engagement, with the New Zealand Consulate providing support including Consul General to Hawai‘i, Stuart Horne, opening one of the key events on the first day for O‘ahu school counsellors.

     New Zealand Consul-General to Hawai‘i Stu Horne delivers opening remarks 

    ENZ’s Regional Director – Americas, Europe & GCC, Natalie Lulia, said the presence and support of the New Zealand Consulate team in Hawai‘i helped reinforce a unified New Zealand education presence.

    “It was great to begin our Hawai‘i Showcase with the support of our Consul General and the New Zealand Consulate team in Hawai‘i. Their presence strengthened our regional relationships and reinforced the Aotearoa New Zealand message we aimed to convey as a unified ENZ-universities delegation, exemplifying the welcoming, community‑focused, and collaborative values we promote to students, families, and counsellors,” Natalie said.

    Across the five days, the showcase delivered 14 events across three islands, including school visits, education fairs, and counsellor engagements. 

    Strong participation throughout the week reflected sustained interest in New Zealand as a study destination, with families eager to learn more about universities, programmes, and pathways.

    Samuel Lafontaine-Tardif of the Victoria University of Wellington speaking to families at Seabury Hall Fair.

    A key enhancement in 2026 was the addition of a dedicated leg on Maui. Seabury Hall generously hosted the fair, providing a welcoming space that highlighted the island’s warmth, curiosity, and enthusiasm for pathways to Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Counsellors shared how the roadshow has already become a valuable touchpoint for families exploring global study options – and how early conversations are starting to translate into tangible planning for the future.

    Associate Director of College Counseling Seabury Hall (Host of the Maui Fair), Francesca Cipro Shimada, said visits such as these were essential for their rural community.

    “We were so grateful to be included in the Maui stop of the roadshow. These visits are essential for our rural community, providing global connections that our students rarely have the opportunity to see firsthand. The event sparked real excitement, families are now asking about Aotearoa, and several of our 11th grade students are already researching New Zealand universities. The impact has been immediate.”

    Many parents also expressed how meaningful it was to have direct access to institutions, an opportunity they rarely receive. One parent, Erica Ledesma, whose son Logan is currently studying in New Zealand, shared how significant these interactions are for families:

    “This was an important experience as many families are interested in sending their students to study in NZ but had no way to connect to the programs and universities. The presentations gave families a direction to figure out which university is the best fit for their student.

    "In my personal experience with the staff from the University of Waikato, having a team who can help international students with their student visas, registration, financial aid, and figuring out accommodation has been amazing. It is a process to get any student settled at a university, and this international team has helped my son’s dream become a reality!”

    Her reflections echoed what many families expressed throughout the week – that the visit not only opened doors but built genuine confidence in navigating international study.

    Building on the enthusiasm shared by families throughout the week, many are now moving from curiosity to concrete plans, said Natalie.

    “We are already hearing from parents and students who engaged with us during the visit, asking to set up campus visits in New Zealand. Their proactive steps demonstrate not only heightened interest but a clear commitment to pursuing study opportunities.”

    ENZ extends sincere thanks to the New Zealand university representatives for their collaboration, commitment and partnership throughout the showcase, and to the students, families, counsellors, and partners across Hawai‘i for their warm welcome.

     

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