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• International Student Hardship Fund now fully allocated

  The fund first opened for applications on 21 May. It was met with immediate interest by a wide variety of education institutions and community groups.

  A cross-ENZ team named Kāhui Oranga was charged with the fund’s administration. They met twice weekly to go through applications and ensure a balanced allocation of funds between regions, sectors and institutions.

  Education providers and community organisations are disseminating grants from the fund to international students in the form of cash grants, food parcels and accommodation support.

  ENZ Director of Student Experience and Global Citizens, Sahinde Pala, led Kāhui Oranga. She says the government was glad to be able to offer international students tangible support in such an uncertain time.

  “At ENZ we talk a lot about manaakitanga – the offering of hospitality and respect to guests. We really want every student that comes to New Zealand to feel valued,” she says.

  “It was obvious once the impacts of COVID-19 began to be felt here that we needed to offer our international students most in need extra support during these difficult times.”

  Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Poto Williams, announced the Assistance for Foreign Nationals impacted by COVID-19 Programme.

  This $37.6 million fund will open on 1 July and be administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. International students experiencing serious hardship will be able to apply to this programme to receive support with basic needs such as food and accommodation.

  Read the announcement here.

• immigration nz

• Around the world in 12

• NZ University ISB 2015 Sector Presentation

• Connecting with education providers and agents in Germany

  Earlier this month, ENZ took part in the ICEF Conference in Berlin. ENZ Associate Director of Engagement, Olga Elli, joined a panel discussion on the topic ‘Australia and New Zealand: The Year That Was and the Year Ahead’. This session brought together agents and providers from around the world to explore policy updates, challenges, and opportunities in international education. 

  Central to the discussion was New Zealand’s International Education Going for Growth Plan, with its ambitious goals and targets. Olga highlighted that the strategy is built around sustainable growth and grounded in public support as well as student success. She reinforced a message that resonated strongly with the audience: New Zealand is open, and students are welcome. 

  

  ENZ Associate Director of Engagement, Olga Elli, participating in a panel discussion at the ICEF Conference in Berlin.

  Another key engagement in Germany was a roundtable with Hamburg-based education agents, held during a cultural night at MARKK Museum and hosted by New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Craig Hawke. 

  The roundtable provided an excellent opportunity to exchange market insights, address challenges, and identify new opportunities. Agents shared positive feedback on New Zealand’s growing popularity among German students, citing safety, high-quality education, and the manaakitanga New Zealand offers as key drivers. 

  They also noted the success of scholarship campaigns in promoting New Zealand as a study destination. Single-sex schools were highlighted as particularly appealing to high-performing German student athletes, and agents expressed interest in exploring new schools in smaller coastal towns. 

  Olga said engagements like this reaffirm the importance New Zealand places on collaboration and open dialogue with international partners. “By sharing insights, addressing challenges, and celebrating cultural connections, we continue to strengthen New Zealand’s position as a trusted and welcoming study destination,” Olga said. 

  ENZ will continue working closely with education agents to ensure they have up-to-date information on New Zealand, awareness of emerging policy updates, and access to New Zealand Taught Me campaign materials – so students can experience the very best our country has to offer. 

• NACAC Conference

• NZ University ISB 2015 Summary Report 1

• Meet the team: John Goulter

  Could you please outline your own role and the role of the Stakeholders and Communications team?

  The Stakeholders and Communications team looks after the part of ENZ’s work that intersects with key external groups – such as other government departments, Ministers, Parliament and, through our various channels, the people of New Zealand.

  We try to get all those influences lined up in support of international education. Right now, thanks to COVID-19, there is more external focus on international education than there has been for years. We try to ensure it’s well-informed.

  How has COVID-19 impacted your team’s work, and what work do you have ahead of you with the recovery?

  Sometimes it seems like we have done nothing else since COVID-19 appeared on the horizon way back in January.

  It has brought to the surface some long-running issues about international education. It’s an opportunity for us to show leadership in outlining the future role of the sector, and developing interesting new approaches.

  

  John with ENZ Field Director - North America Lewis Gibson in Washington DC.

  Can you tell me a bit about your professional background?

  I was a journalist for a long time, mainly reporting politics from the Press Gallery in Parliament.

  I loved that at the time but I moved into public affairs roles because after a while in journalism I wanted to be influencing the way things happen, rather than just writing about them. 

  Journalism is now changing totally, like many sectors are. Some new models are emerging, but it’s a struggle in a country the size of New Zealand.

  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

  I like running and travelling and live music. So I’m not having a great year. Most running events have been cancelled or postponed, and so have all the concerts I had booked for.

  I listen to some podcasts, mainly about running and politics in the United States. It is hard for us to fathom the depth of the COVID-19 crisis they are going through.

  I actually liked a lot about our lockdown. It was good being a little family unit at home. I loved running on nearly empty roads. I took up Zoom yoga classes with my daughter in Christchurch. I wonder about what the new reality is going to look like for us all.

• Introducing Team AMEE

  The Americas, Middle East and Europe team (AMEE) will be led by Regional Director Amy Rutherford.

  Bronwyn Shanks has now taken on the role of Special Adviser – Special Projects, Europe and the Middle East. Suzan Mozher remains in her role as Market Manager/Deputy Education Attaché, based at the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  The re-allocation of the Middle East was for pragmatic reasons – primarily, to even out the workload between our two international teams. There is also only a one-hour time difference between Suzan in Riyadh and Vienna, where Bronwyn is based.

  “I’m looking forward to working with our partners in the Middle East,” Amy says. “Please contact either me, Bronwyn or Suzan if you’d like to discuss any development ideas or issues to do with the region.”

• Programme Beijing Agent Seminar