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• Following his own path – International student builds life, family, and community in New Zealand

  Luke Qin has never been afraid of a challenge. Born in Sichuan, China, his childhood was a rich mix of classical Chinese literature, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, and music.

  Early intensive schooling means he can read, write, speak, think and dream in Chinese and draw on traditional Chinese virtues, but a desire to follow his own path, experience something new and explore education options overseas, led him to New Zealand as a high school student.

  Selecting New Zealand was a relatively easy choice at the time – English-speaking, safe, ‘clean and green’ and affordable – it ticked all the necessary boxes. But his desire to test himself drew him to Christchurch because “fewer Chinese students there” meant he would have no choice but to fully immerse himself in the new environment.

  And what an immersion it was. Luke credits his first years at Linwood High School as the perfect place to experience “an excellent introduction to the New Zealand way of life” and in his first year in New Zealand, he was playing on the wing for Linwood High School’s First XV rugby team!

  

  “With a little help from All Black stars!” Luke tapped his rugby passion to enlist support for the Dragonboat Festival in Wellington from All Blacks Ardie Savea (left) and Dane Coles.

  “I wasn’t very big and didn’t know the rules of the game when I arrived, but I had some wheels back then.” Luke explains. If it looked like trouble was coming my way, I’d just try to outrun it!” But he also knew he had to prove himself to his teammates. Once, while tackling his opposite wing, a strapping Samoan teammate joined in and sent them all to the ground. “I felt something hot dripping down my forehead but charged straight back into the ruck, only to be dragged off the field and sent to the hospital.” Three stitches later, he knew he had earned the respect of his teammates and become ‘one of the boys’.

  Luke credits his school experience with developing his self-belief and preparing him for what was to come, through his university years and beyond.

  After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, he relocated to Wellington to join the banking industry, and completed a Master in Applied Finance from Victoria University of Wellington. He then continued on with his quest for lifelong learning and experience by achieving qualifications in Sustainable Finance, Te Reo Māori, Medical Co-Response, Citizen diplomacy and Urban Fire and Rescue, and volunteering for a number of causes.

  His banking experience broadened, and several promotions later he joined Kiwibank in Auckland, leading the development of its International Strategy and Trade Finance offering, and working closely with NZ Inc partners to help New Zealand exporters and importers with risk mitigation and working capital funding.

  Nowhere has his quest for a challenge been more evident than in his decision to become a volunteer firefighter 10 years ago.

  “My younger self had been watching ‘Spiderman’ and saw Peter Parker leap into a burning building to save the day. At the time I thought, ‘I wonder if I could do that?’ Then I heard a call for volunteers from the NZ Fire Service on the radio while driving to work so decided to contact my local fire brigade in Seaview, Lower Hutt.”

  “I thought I might be the first Asian volunteer in the station, but I was beaten to it by a Chinese lady.”

  “The Fire Service is where you find the real New Zealand,” says Luke.

  “Teachers, accountants, plumbers, builders, people from all walks of life - all bonded by the same commitment to serve their community. The camaraderie and environment was addictive.”

  There, with the support of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, he completed the Sky Tower Stair Challenge with fellow firefighters from across the country to raise funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

  Scaling 1103 steps and 51 flights of stairs in full fire-fighting gear with a steel cylinder on his back was one of the most physical tests he has put himself through.

  

  1,103 steps and 51 flights of stairs behind him, Luke was happy to complete the Sky Tower Stair Challenge - “Man of Steel” with other firefighters dressed in full gear with steel cylinders on their backs to raise funds for leukaemia and blood cancer in New Zealand.

  “I have benefitted so much from all the opportunities and adventures since coming to New Zealand, especially from my volunteer roles. It’s a small way I could repay my second home for its kindness.”

  “I hope I can encourage more international students and members of our diverse ethnic communities in New Zealand to become volunteers and join activities that benefit the community. There is so much we have to offer, and the reward in terms of friendships and life skills is amazing.”

  

  From Sichuan to Wellington waterfront, leading the Dragon Dance during Chinese New Year Parade.

  Luke Qin’s journey as an international student began with a desire to immerse himself in a new environment. Grateful to his family, friends, colleagues, and mentors for the opportunities and adventures New Zealand has given him, he takes pride in being able to go home whichever way he travels between his ‘little shire’ in Sichuan and ‘Middle Earth’ New Zealand.

• International Education Strategy 2018 2031

• Diversification of International Education sees six innovative projects receive funding

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) has today announced the recipients of the International Education Product Innovation Fund.

  Just over $1.6 million in funding has been awarded to six organisations, with support ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 for individual projects over the next 12 months.

  The projects that received funding span a wide range of activity. They include a global course for rugby coaches developed in partnership with The Crusaders, an online indigenous eCommerce programme, English language learning based on original, high quality drama content, global enterprise coaching and peer group learning, an evolution of an NZ financial literacy platform for global audiences, and virtual reality online medical training focused on childbirth simulation.

  Initial response to the Product Innovation Fund saw more than 150 organisations express interest. ENZ designed a rigorous process for submitting and assessing applications, working alongside Creative HQ – a specialist innovation agency. The process involved a clear set of criteria that were communicated to all applicants. A shortlist was prepared, and a final assessment was completed by an independent expert panel comprising external innovation and education experts and senior ENZ staff.

  Commenting on the recipients, ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the innovation and scope of the applications had been eye-opening.

  “The quality of the entrants was a clear indication of New Zealand ingenuity, market knowledge and cutting-edge innovation,” said Mr McPherson.

  “The sheer variety of fields and technology being utilised shows how advanced the thinking and capability of New Zealand education providers has become. The potential of each of these projects can now be fully explored, and I am confident the lessons learned can be shared for the benefit of our whole education sector, inspiring others to follow their lead.”

  The Product Innovation Fund was launched by ENZ in April to encourage providers to design and develop new education products and services for international learners. It is part of the broader refreshed international education strategy and is intended to fund programmes that deliver new, meaningful, and unique learning experiences from New Zealand with education products and services that set New Zealand apart from other countries.

  Providers will create new products and services aimed at transforming the way international learning is developed, promoted, and delivered. Funding and support from ENZ will help providers fast-track the exploration and development of new ideas, conduct market research, build prototypes, and advance their global market strategy. Lessons learnt from the programme will assist in developing future education products and services for the benefit of the entire international education sector.

  Details of the successful applicants and their projects can be seen here.

   

  Recipient	Funding Amount
  Banqer	$300,000
  BOMA New Zealand	$300,000
  Chasing Time English	$250,000
  Te Kaihau Education	$200,000
  Te Whare Hukahuka	$255,000
  Virtual Medical Coaching	$300,000

  ENDS

• 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.

• Student panel 1

• Hargest

• NZIEC 1

• derek.mccormack

• Education New Zealand Research Tertiary Students June2112

• NZ Police Ethnic Services Teams supporting international students with local safety advice

  Over the past twelve months, Aotearoa New Zealand has seen a welcome return of international students to our communities and our education providers.  NZ Police Ethnic Services teams around the country, including in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and at Lincoln University, have been busy engaging with international students in a variety of ways.  

  In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Ethnic Liaison Officers, Constable Takashi Endo and Constable Kevin Deng, have been delivering presentations to secondary and tertiary international students on a range of safety related topics - informing them and supporting them to have a successful time living and studying in their host city.  

  The team has seen a great response to the presentations and due to the high demand, has also developed a “Train the Trainers” programme, designed to equip education providers themselves to deliver introductory safety training to their students. The first ‘Train the Trainers' session was recently delivered by Constables Endo and Deng to staff from over 20 education providers in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The session covered a range of topics including personal safety, road safety, family harm, hate crime/incidents, alcohol/drugs and water safety. 

  Constable Endo said that he was encouraged to see so many school representatives at the training session and they were very interested in the topics covered, following up with many useful questions.  

  He also said, "This training session is not going to be a one-off, and we will also continue to visit schools and speak with international students when required. Our aim is to ensure students and school staff have a greater understanding of safety and safety issues here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.’ 

  Following the training day, both constables will attend education provider seminars as observers to ensure staff are supported and equipped to deliver these safety sessions. 

  Melody Hao, International Coordinator – International Business/Student Support at Unitec Insitute of Technology, expressed the gratitude of her team to the Ethnic Services Team following their presentation at Unitec’s International Orientation Day on Wednesday 19 July.  

  “The session delivered by Constable Endo was well-received by the 220 people that attended. In our post-orientation survey, 97.5% of respondents said they really enjoyed or enjoyed this presentation.  

  "Feedback from the student audience included that the session was full of useful safety information and that it was delivered in a fun and interactive way. Thank you to the team for such a wonderful presentation and for being so supportive to our international students as they embark on their international student experience with us here in Aotearoa New Zealand," added Melody.  

  Another recent safety initiative was delivered by Constable Deng alongside Massey University student representative, Jun Jiang.  Together they delivered a ‘safety’ livestream via Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme in July.  NauMai NZ WeChat livestreams are an important channel where experts and students themselves address a range of topics relevant to Chinese students living and studying in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

  

  Constable Deng and Massey University international student representative, Jun Jiang following the delivery of a safety focused livestream on ENZ’s WeChat mini programme platform.

  Faymie Li, ENZ's Senior Advisor, Student Experience said that the safety of our students is always front of mind.   

  “Looking after our students and equipping them with useful information that supports them during their time with us here in Aotearoa New Zealand is really putting into practice, Manaakitanga – the Māori value of hospitality, kindness, support, respect and care for others.  

  "These sessions conducted by the NZ Police Ethnic Services Teams are an important tool in helping ensure our international students have a positive experience while studying with us. The livestream had 186 people tuning in and since then it has been watched over 170 times. This demonstrates that such sessions are of great value to our students,’’ said Faymie.  

  The recording of the livestream is hosted on the mini programme and can be accessed by scanning the QR code below.  

  

  QR code to access ENZ’s NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme

   

  Further information on the Tāmaki Makaurau Ethnic Services Team

  The team works in partnership with ENZ, local consulates, education providers, the New Zealand International Students’ Association, and other student representatives, to support the wellbeing of international students in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.  This partnership ensures information is shared, potential issues are anticipated and responded to where possible, and shared work initiatives delivered where appropriate.