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• From the Chief Executive: Momentum building for a strong 2026

  Kia ora koutou,

  It’s a pleasure to be back as Acting Chief Executive at Education New Zealand to build on the leadership of Amanda Malu. 

  Delivering on the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan is our key focus in 2026. Internally, our annual market planning process is underway. This work helps us decide where to focus our efforts – ensuring we are doing the right thing in the right places at the right time. 

  An essential part of the market planning is to incorporate insights from the sector and Government agencies. Our sincere appreciation for the insights we have received so far.

  The team is getting ready to lead the first ever Sri Lanka Roadshow featuring 19 New Zealand education institutions from 5 to 8 March that aims to strengthen the awareness of the New Zealand education brand and promote our undergraduate offering in the country. You can read more about our integrated promotional campaign in Sri Lanka in this edition of E-News. 

  Applications remain open for the 2026 funding round of the New Zealand-China Tripartite Partnership Fund, ENZ’s long-standing initiative supporting partnerships between New Zealand and Chinese universities. This year’s round encourages proposals that highlight pathways for student mobility and transnational education alongside research collaboration. 

  This month, as many of our partners and communities usher in the Lunar New Year, I want to extend warm wishes for a prosperous and energising Year of the Horse. This is an important time across several of our key markets, and a reminder of the strong cultural and people-to-people connections that underpin international education.

  Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we continue to deliver on our shared ambitions for international education in 2026.

  Okea ururoatia 

  Keep striving forward.

  Ngā mihi nui,
  Linda Sissons 
  Acting Chief Executive

• ENZ hosts annual TEI Manaaki Scholarship workshop 

  For the next two days (14-15 September) participants from all eight universities and Te Pūkenga will be reviewing good practice and experiences in sessions led by speakers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Manaaki Scholarships team at Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), Manaaki scholar alumni and the Skills Consulting Group.  

  The workshop is the first to be hosted by ENZ since it took over operational management of the scholarships programme from MFAT last November. The Manaaki Scholarships represent the New Zealand government’s single largest investment in international scholarships and have been awarded for more than 70 years.   

  ENZ Manaaki Scholarships Manager, Julia Moore said the programme had been designed to ensure the maximum interaction between participants and presenters.  

  “It is an opportunity for all parties to come together, track progress achieved since the change in management, plan ahead for the future and share experience in key areas such as admissions processes, orientation and pastoral care.” 

  Speaking at the opening of the workshop, ENZ Manukura – Chief Advisor Māori, Ed Tuari said the best way to honour and build on past achievement was by continuing the development of the Manaaki Scholarships as a world-class scholarship programme. 

  “Manaaki is about integrity, trust, reciprocity, and sincerity. It is about the way you respect a person and acknowledge who they are and where they come from that honours them and keeps your reputation and integrity intact.” 

   

  “Manaaki is not a single act of hospitality; it is a culture of care and respect.” 

• New Zealand education in focus during Prime Minister’s trip to China

  Education elements featured strongly in the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China helping raise the visibility of New Zealand as an education destination for Chinese students.

  To launch the trip, the delegation joined the Prime Minister at a Showcasing New Zealand event held at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing to promote New Zealand as a travel and study destination. ENZ invited key media, influencers, and Chinese and New Zealand students to interact with the Prime Minister. This sparked significant local news coverage, amongst leading Chinese state media, setting the tone for the visit and highlighting the significance of international student exchanges between New Zealand and China. New Chinese media outlets also were seen covering New Zealand education as a topic for the first time.

  

  Group photo at Showcasing New Zealand event! (It was a kiwi bbq)

  The Prime Minister also gave an address at Peking University to students, media, and the New Zealand delegation. To read the full speech, please visit the Beehive website.

  

  Peking University is host to the New Zealand Centre. Established in 2007 as a collaborative project between Peking University and the University of Auckland, the New Zealand Centre at Peking University has grown to represent all eight of New Zealand’s universities and enable high-level engagement across a range of departments and faculties. During the visit to the University on 28 June, the Prime Minister, with Hao Ping, Chair of Peking University Council and Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University, the Ambassadors of New Zealand and China, and representatives of the New Zealand Centre launched the Rewi Alley Professorship.

  There were also other several significant developments in our bilateral education links with China that were achieved while there. These included:

  • Signing of the Arrangement on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications in Higher Education between the Ministries of Education witnessed by Prime Minister Rt Hon Chris Hipkins and Premier Li.
    
    
  • Signing of a Strategic Partnership between Education New Zealand and Air New Zealand to support international education mobility and joint promotion in China. To read more, please visit the article on ENZ Collaboration with NZ Inc Agencies in China.
    
    
  • The education delegation meeting with the Vice-Minister of Education Chen Jie (responsible for international cooperation) and China Ministry of Education officials. The meeting underscored the importance of a strong government-to-government relationship and provided a chance to showcase the education sectors present within the New Zealand delegation and discuss areas of existing and potential cooperation.
    
    
  • A Sustainability Roundtable with a focus on education involving the education sector delegation and Chinese education partners.

  It was a busy, challenging, insightful and ultimately very rewarding week. The education delegates also shared their own feedback. John van der Zwan, Executive Director Schools International Education Business Association reflected that the mission to China was hugely valuable and a chance to get high level insights into working with Chinese officials and agents following the pandemic.

  “The mission was also a special opportunity to engage with the Prime Minister and other government officials on the role and importance of international education for our school sector,” he said.

  Executive Director of English New Zealand, Kim Renner, noticed the shift in how New Zealand is profiled in China compared to many years ago and echoed the response from other delegates that the visit was valuable for the representatives of the education sectors. 

  “China is a development market for most of our members, so it was a great opportunity for English language to be part of this important delegation, particularly the meetings with the Vice Minister of Education and JJL Overseas Education Agency.”

  “While seeing the country is a key part of study travel, we know that inbound students also want an immersive experience focused on people, cultural exchange and making connections. This was certainly showcased during the visit and was received very positively by all those we engaged with”,  added.

  ENZ would like to offer its sincere thanks and congratulation to everyone who was involved in the preparation and planning for the visit and gives special recognition to the education sector representatives on the Prime Minister Trade Delegation.  

• Strong team established in South East Asia

  It was first time everyone in the South East Asia team had been together in one location and it was a great opportunity for the them to work on the business plan for the coming year.

  Three areas of focus were identified during the planning sessions; first, delivering great marketing events (such as those recently held in Indonesia and Malaysia and soon to be held in Thailand and Viet Nam); second, introducing New Zealand institutions to potential partners and facilitating business development. Opportunities currently being explored in this area include early childhood education in Indonesia and Borneo; vocational education in Viet Nam; and English language opportunities in several countries. The third area of focus is leveraging Government connections and relationships.

  Also over the two days, the team spent time working out the best way to ‘pitch’ New Zealand as a destination for tertiary education to students at selected schools in all countries of focus. The first task was to identify which Year 8-10 students and parents would consider New Zealand as an education destination, and what types of schools they were at; and then, how the team could most effectively raise awareness of New Zealand education as a study destination among this group. The South East Asia team will be trialling a pitch in selected schools soon, and awareness-raising activities of this sort will become an important part of their job at the conclusion of the fairs.

  Many of you will already know some of the team – but perhaps only as a voice over the phone, so the accompanying photo shows, from left to right: Sarah Gauthier, ENZ’s Wellington-based International Market Manager who supports South East Asia; Izak Human, ENZ’s Regional Director – South East Asia; Margaret Low (Malaysia), Yenny Chen (Indonesia); Gewalin (Nan) Lertrasameewong  (Thailand), Dinh Duong (Viet Nam) and ENZ General Manager – International, Peter Bull.

  Yenny and Dinh are new to the team and next month Dinh will be in New Zealand for the first time. During her stay in New Zealand, from 10–18 October, Dinh is hoping to gain as much understanding of New Zealand education as possible and would very much like to meet education providers and visit schools and other education institutions

  If you would like to meet Dinh and show her what New Zealand can offer Vietnamese students, or discuss your plans for market development in Viet Nam, please email Sarah Gauthier: sarah.gauthier@enz.govt.nz.  (Note: due to itinerary constraints, we may not be able to honour every request, so please understand if we are unable to visit you – but rest assured that we will do our best!)

• Hearing students’ voices

  This year five alumni will be joining 20 international students to share their experiences with each other, ENZ and NZ Inc. Participants will be selected from nominations submitted by institutions, and ENZ will send out the nomination criteria and submission form at the end of August.

  Student Voice will provide students and alumni with a platform from which they can share their ideas and air their concerns and an opportunity to take part in the development of an alumni strategy. It is hoped that participation in the event will inspire students to establish their own forums within their student communities.

  The objectives of the event from an ENZ perspective are: to gain a student perspective on the alumni strategy ideas; facilitate communication between the students and NZ Inc agencies; and facilitate connection between alumni and industry, and current international students.

  The outcomes from the Student Voice event will be shared with industry at the New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC) at the Student Voice 2013 panel session. Three students and one alumnus will be selected at Student Voice to participate in the conference panel. 

• Market webinar for Schools: Monday 24 July

  Nau mai haere mai,

  Schools are invited to hear from Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao in-market specialists in Japan, China, Korea, Viet Nam and Thailand on Monday 24 July from 2pm to 4pm (NZT). The team will provide updates on the latest market information, trends and advice. There will also be time for questions. This is good timing for those travelling to events from August to October.

  Please email mary.camp@enz.govt.nz to request the meeting details. This will be held via Zoom.

  For those who cannot make this time, the webinar will be recorded. A link to the recording will be available following the seminar, by request to Mary.

   

• Raising the profile of New Zealand English language offerings in Japan 

  To maximise the visit’s opportunity, ENZ organised a New Zealand English Language event at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo. The event brought together over 40 local education agents, schoolteachers, and government partners face-to-face with the New Zealand providers to learn about their study offerings and explore future collaboration opportunities.  

  

  Prospective students and their parents exploring English Language study options at the New Zealand English Language Fair.

  The following day, the New Zealand English Language Fair attracted 44 prospective students and families to speak with the English Language schools and gain a better understanding of their study offerings. 

  

  Prospective students and their parents exploring English Language study options at the New Zealand English Language Fair.

  The wider programme included a series of targeted events, school visits, and stakeholder meetings, all aimed at reconnecting with the market and exploring new partnership opportunities.   

  English New Zealand Executive Director, Kim Renner, said they were pleased to be back in Japan, marketing as a group.  

  “Japan is a key market for the English Language School sector. Our member schools have strong connections formed over many years with Japanese education agencies and institutions, and meeting face-to-face in market is invaluable,” she said. 

  “The events were a great success profiling both the English language sector and New Zealand as a destination for a high-quality study travel experience,” Kim added. 

  

  ENZ Business Development Manager Tomomi Kontani giving an update from ENZ and sharing the benefits of studying in New Zealand.

  Feedback from participating English Language Schools was also positive. One event participant said: “Agents and students asked focused questions, it was pleasing to see the high levels of interest studying at a New Zealand English Language School”. 

  The participating schools included: ABC College of English, Auckland Institute of Studies, Christchurch College of English, Languages International, Mount Maunganui Language Centre and Worldwide School of English. 

   

• Overall September 2015 visa dashboard

• Strengthening ties with Chilean education agents 

  The event brought together a group of Chilean education agents for an opportunity to connect with ENZ Director of Engagement Javiera Visedo and Whitecliffe Regional Manager Lorena Mendes.  

  The attending agents learned about study options for Chilean students at Whitecliffe and had the chance to ask questions in an open, interactive setting designed to support learning and strengthen relationships. 

  Agents highlighted an increasing interest in studying in New Zealand amongst students, noting a significant increase in meetings and enquiries.  

  

  Whitecliffe College Regional Manager Lorena Mendes presenting to local education agents.

  ENZ Director of Engagement Javiera Visedo said strengthening relationships with agents and capability building is key to increasing awareness of New Zealand and its diverse study options.  

  “Nothing compares to a face-to-face training session, where agents can raise day-to-day questions from students and have them answered on the spot,” she said. 

  Whitecliffe College Regional Manager, Lorena Mendes, said Chile is a market with enormous potential and a key partner for international student growth in New Zealand.  

  “Here, we find professionalism, warmth, and a genuine interest in continually offering students the best opportunities for them,” she said.  

• Great ideas from schools

  The ENZ Schools’ Reference Group was set up last year as a way to collect school feedback and ideas about how the sector can best develop. 

  ENZ Business Development Manager Mary Camp says the latest meeting on 25 February generated a swag of suggestions for the professional development workshops held in the lead-up to the New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC). More are welcome…

  “This reference group is really benefitting our work to support the industry,” Mary says. 

  “Given there are so many schools, spread from one end of the country to the other, and with so much variety of character and programme, it can be hard for us to be sure we’re hearing what we need to hear from schools.”

  “It’s great now to have an official channel open for that conversation, as well as the other connections we have through regional clusters and the like. We’ve been able to design services and products to suit schools’ current needs, and schools’ feedback on other parts of Education New Zealand’s work has been hugely valuable.”

  Mary says the pre-conference workshops in 2013 (on business planning, social media and working with agents) were well attended and rated highly by participants. The aim is to keep relevance high for this year’s NZIEC –  held in Wellington on 21-22 August 2014. 

  Additions to this ‘working topic list’ from the Schools’ Reference Group meeting are welcome:

  • Collaboration – looking at different collaborative business models, eg regional, niche

  • Homestay systems/ processes, building your homestay community, sharing ideas

  • Alumni – using them effectively

  • Agent perspectives – what are they looking for? (panel)

  • Market analysis – including hard stats, competitor analysis, and recommended key markets for schools.

  To make a suggestion for workshop topics please contact one of ENZ’s Business Development Managers for the school sector, Richard.Kyle@enz.govt.nz or Mary.Camp@enz.govt.nz.