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  • Aotearoa sharpens Sherpa’s ambitions on conservation in Nepal

    The Everest region of Nepal is his home, and he has seen first-hand the impact of climbers and climate change on the world’s most famous mountain environment.  

    The former international student to New Zealand is a columnist in the Kathmandu Post, readily highlighting successes and calling out failures on a range of environmental issues impacting Nepal. He is part of a generation determined to find solutions. 

    Tsewang recently completed his Master’s in Environmental Management at Lincoln University, an international education experience made possible by the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship. Mingma was an early graduate of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Khumjung School, an alumnus of Lincoln University, and one of the leading voices on conservation in Nepal and Bhutan through his work with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) before his untimely death in 2006. 

    His legacy is a scholarship jointly funded by WWF, Lincoln University, and the Greater Himalayas Foundation which supports students from remote regions of Nepal committed to careers in conservation to study at Lincoln. 

    Tsewang says the links with New Zealand which date back to the work of Sir Edmund Hillary, and his belief in the importance of education for future generations, are a driver for many Nepalese students seeking to improve their opportunities in life.   

    “The connection is very strong,” he says. “Sir Ed Hillary is such an icon and I feel that the students who come to New Zealand to study are continuing to strengthen the relationship established by Sir Ed and Mingma”.  

    Fulfilling the dream of a New Zealand education 

    “The scholarship allows you to fulfil a vision of having a higher education in New Zealand, but more than that, it connects many people already working in the conservation sector in New Zealand, Nepal, and other parts of the world.”  

    Tsewang spent two years in New Zealand, arriving just before the border closed in 2020 and is grateful that his studies were largely unaffected by the pandemic. He says he has learned much about New Zealand’s approach to conservation and gained a better understanding of te ao Māori and the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection).  

    “I am a Sherpa. We are renowned as mountaineers, but we are also an ethnic tribe with a strong connection and respect for nature and a strong desire for environmental stewardship.  

    “Seeing Māori taking ownership of preserving and retaining their culture was an important learning for me. These are taonga (treasures) which we should be taking from one generation to another. 

    “Through my education I want to promote empowerment of local people on conservation issues,” Tsewang says. “Studying in New Zealand made me realise that this is already happening in Nepal, but we just need to find ways to make it more effective.” 

    Tsewang’s Master’s research was into the effectiveness of the Garbage Deposit Scheme (GDS) initiated by the Sherpa people, in which Everest climbers pay a US$4000 deposit that’s returned only if they bring back at least 8kg of rubbish produced during their expeditions. “Working in conjunction with the aims, aspirations, and opportunities of local communities is incredibly empowering.” 

    Making a positive impact in Nepal 

    The students who have come to Aotearoa have made a positive impact in Nepal, Tsewang says. “It’s all about learning from best practice and sharing knowledge.

    As one person it’s hard to make change, but by sharing information and knowledge we can make incremental change.”  

    “We are seeing that governments globally are starting to overhaul their environmental protection policies. New Zealand has played a key role in the context of Nepal because people before me came to study and returned home to build crucial environmental education and awareness.”  

    Tsewang loved his time in Aotearoa, both inside and outside the classroom, having spent most of his free time hiking iconic tracks. “There’s so much learning that happens out in the field where you hear first-hand of the experiences of those working in conservation. 

    “This was an essential part of my education experience. You have unplanned conversations which are inspiring and hugely valuable,” he says. 

    “The last two years have been monumental in so many ways. It’s not just the academic learning, but also the personal growth. I have gained so much confidence to voice my opinion and share my knowledge. 

    “I will stay in touch with many of the people I have met and hopefully we will have the opportunity to collaborate in the future. Learning never stops. 

    “The international education opportunities with New Zealand only serve to strengthen the long-standing bond with Nepal. There’s a real legacy involved for both countries.”

  • We want to hear from you!

    This survey is important to gauge ENZ’s performance and importantly, let us know how we’re doing, what services you value and what you’d like to see more of.   

    In last year’s survey, you highlighted several themes that we’ve been working to address. We heard that you need more advance notice of our global events to allow you to plan better. In response, we published our event calendar in November, covering events to be held in the last half of 2024. 

    You also said you wanted to see closer alignment between government agencies and the sector. As a result, we have worked with peak bodies and key government agencies to refresh the purpose of the quarterly Peak Body Forum and built a closer working relationship with the Alliance of Peak Bodies.  

    Other important themes included improving our engagement and integrating views of the sector in our planning, while providing more clarity on our range of services and support. We have provided more webinars ranging from showcasing the regions to the global agent network, through to leveraging research, data and analysis to provide you with targeted market insights.  

    Peak body and sector representatives were involved early in our business planning, including market prioritisation, to ensure that we walk in step with the sector. 

    While we may not always get it right, you can rest assured that we are listening and continually striving to deliver the products and services that you value and help you to grow.  

    A survey link will be sent out in early May. We look forward to hearing your thoughts to enable us to improve our support to the New Zealand international education sector. Thank you in advance for your participation.   

  • Applications for the 2024 PPP New Zealand-German academic exchange programme are now open!

    An information session is being held on Tuesday 23 April and is open to all New Zealand and German academics (graduates, doctoral candidates, doctorate holders, professors and lecturers). Click here to register for the information session and click here for more information on the PPP programme.  

    Please share this information with your networks.  

  • Prime Ministers Scholarships to Asia recipients with ENZ staff and university representatives at an evening reception at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi

  • Thailand Simulated Classroom Expression of Interest 2018

  • Kiwi scholars tour india

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  • Grant McPherson 3

  • Update from Immigration New Zealand

    Visa processing update

    • From 01 January to 31 March 2025, student visas have been processed in 12 days (two and a half weeks) on average, compared to 24 days (five weeks) for the same period in 2024.

    • Currently, international student visas are being decided in 10 days (two weeks) on average. 

    • The tertiary sector’s mid-year intake is almost upon us, and students need to apply for their visas now.

    • Latest visa processing times can be found on the INZ website: Student visa wait times | Immigration New Zealand.

    Reminders from Immigration New Zealand

    The conditions of a student visa state that the visa holder must attend the programme of study at all times, at the place of study endorsed on the visa (unless there are genuine reasons for absences), and that they must make satisfactory progress in the programme of study.

    Immigration New Zealand (INZ) receive a number of applications from students in New Zealand, who have poor attendance and/or progress, without any explanation of why.

    If students do have poor attendance or progress, it is recommended that an explanation for this is provided up front with the application to avoid the need for INZ to request further information. This will prevent any delays in processing.

    If you are refunding an international student’s fees, then the ToE form should be filled out, regardless of whether or not the student’s visa has been sighted by the provider.

  • New Zealand star of the show in leading Brazilian international education magazine

    In late April, the Consulate-General of New Zealand in São Paulo welcomed professionals from the international education sector for the launch of Belta's magazine ei – International Education. The event served to celebrate New Zealand as the magazine's feature country and was attended by government officials and Brazilians who studied in New Zealand institutions and now hold prominent positions in their professional fields.  

    Belta (Brazilian Language and Travel Association) brings together the leading Brazilian agencies offering travel programmes focused on international education. Agents associated with Belta are recognised for the safety and excellence of the services they provide to students. 

    The New Zealand delegation from Universities New Zealand, composed of representatives from five of the country's eight universities, and CAPES LATAM were present at the Consulate for the magazine launch event during their stay in Brazil for strategic meetings at FAUBAI 2024, Brazil's largest conference focusing on higher education. 

    ENZ’s Bruna Natale with the delegates from New Zealand.

    Belta's publication is a quality reference for those seeking information about studying abroad. It is published annually and serves as a guide for those interested in experiencing international education. It is distributed at exchange fairs, travel agencies, and schools throughout the year. This is the third time that Belta's magazine has featured New Zealand's international education on its cover. 

    The guests were welcomed by the Ambassador of New Zealand in Brazil, Richard Prendergast, the market development manager of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) in Brazil, Bruna de Natale, and Belta's president, Alexandre Argenta. 

    "Aotearoa New Zealand is open to Brazilian students, offering excellent education, institutions that prepare for future challenges, and a great quality of life, with safe cities and a friendly population," said Ambassador Prendergast at the event's opening. 

    Guests watch Ambassador Richard Prendergast’s speech.

    Bruna de Natale states, "Highlighting New Zealand education in Belta's magazine is essential for Brazilians to be aware of the quality of education offered in Aotearoa New Zealand." Bruna also emphasises that "the magazine directly engages with the audience interested in studying abroad, reaching exchange fairs and agencies from all regions of Brazil, so it is a strategic visibility for positioning the quality of New Zealand education." 

    Representatives from exchange agencies who attended the reception conversed with members of the Universities New Zealand delegation and Brazilians who had studied in New Zealand. 

    "We have strong connections with Latin America in general, and especially with Brazil, but we want to strengthen and expand these partnerships," said Bronwen Kelly, Deputy Chief Executive of Universities New Zealand. Participating in strategic events, like today's launch and the FAUBAI conference, is a significant step towards bringing our institutions closer together and paving the way for academic exchange," Bronwen added. 

    In addition to Alexandre Argenta, Maura Leão, Director of International Relations at Belta, attended the event. Both were in New Zealand in March on a familiarisation trip organised by ENZ to introduce the country as an education destination. 

    "I've just returned from a fantastic experience in New Zealand," said Maura Leão during the event. "It's a country with many wonderful opportunities for students. I visited schools, universities, English language schools, and high schools. The experience was very positive. For us who work in education, it's essential to have this opportunity to share impressions with families who want to send their children to study abroad," said the executive. 

    The online version of the magazine can be found here: Revista ei! 2024 by Associação Belta - Issuu 

    Bruna de Natale with Belta’s International Relations Director, Maura Leão.

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