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Mayoral events provide vibrant welcomes to students in their regions
Last month we shared some of the wonderful images that New Zealand schools, universities, PTEs, Te Pūkenga and English Language Schools shared with ENZ as they welcomed their new students for 2024. This month we are sharing details and images from the Mayoral welcomes that some of our regions have held for their visiting international students.

Thank you for adding to our diversity and vibrancy!

More than 40 international students were greeted by Whanganui District Council Mayor, Andrew Tripe, at a special Mayoral welcome to the community on Monday 8 April.

Speaking to the students from countries including Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Germany, China, India Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam, the Mayor thanked them for choosing Whanganui and adding to the “diversity and vibrancy of our community”.

The students attending had enrolled in both secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the district such as Whanganui High School, UCOL Whanganui and the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.

Formal greeting over, the Mayor was rushed by students seeking a special ‘selfie moment’ to share with families and social media.

A group of Brazilian international students attending Whanganui High School take up the opportunity of a photo with the Whanganui District Council Mayor, Andrew Tripe.

Similar levels of excitement were seen in Hamilton where the Mayor of Hamilton, Paula Southgate and local performance groups welcomed approximately 250 new international students to the Waikato region. The welcome event was held at the Pā, University of Waikato and is the first welcome since the Covid-19 pandemic put these events on hold.

Mayor Paula Southgate providing the official welcome to the Waikato’s approximately 250 international students.

Faymie Li, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao’s Senior Advisor Student Experience said, “I was deeply honoured to witness this significant event and see how we demonstrate manaakitanga to our international students.

“The diverse cultures we embrace in Aotearoa is truly something to cherish and celebrate. It was wonderful to see so many school students attending the ceremony, offering them a unique student experience they don't typically encounter.”

Jiabao Zhao (Boa), a former international student who completed a Bachelor of Management Studies with First Class Honours at the University of Waikato, shared a message of encouragement with the students. Boa’s advice for new students was: to study hard but also “talk to and meet students from outside your country. It’s easy to remain in your comfort zone but that is not the point of studying abroad. Network and build your presence”.

Former University of Waikato International Student sharing a message of encouragement to the new international students.

She also reminded students to take care of both their physical and mental health. There will be challenges but also great opportunities, and her own study and career journey is testament to that. She now works as an International Sales Operation Executive at Prolife Foods Ltd in Hamilton.

A handful of the 250 students who travelled to the Pā at the University of Waikato, for the international student welcome.

Also in March, nearly 100 international students received a fine welcome centered on the theme of connection, by Timaru District Mayor, Nigel Bowen. The Timaru District will be home to students from Japan, China, Germany, Thailand, South Korean, Hong Kong, Macau, Fiji, Philippines, Brazil and Poland, and more over the course of this year. You can read about this welcome in the Stuff article here - Nearly 100 international students welcomed to Timaru | Stuff.
New Zealand commended for inclusivity and humanity at APAIE
A New Zealand delegation featuring all eight universities attended APAIE 2019 as part of a planned strategy to build New Zealand’s presence ahead of the 2021 conference which will be hosted in Auckland.
The 2019 conference, themed “Diversity and inclusivity in higher education”, attracted more than 2,500 delegates between 25-29 March.
Discussions centred around the role that international education could play to enable disparate cultures and communities to embrace diversity and difference.
This theme had particular resonance in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack, and New Zealand’s response earned high praise from University of Oxford-educated Her Majesty The Permaisuri (Queen Consort) of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris. (Johor is a state in the south of the Malay Peninsula and shares maritime borders with Singapore and Indonesia.)
In her opening address of the conference, Raja Zarith Sofiah said: “While we at this conference speak about diversity and inclusivity as part of academic discussions and presentations, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and all New Zealanders, from students to biker groups, have shown what inclusivity truly means when it is more than just words and promises, but are acts of great kindness, acceptance and humanity.

“Indeed, the way that the schools and universities there showed their respect and empathy prove – beyond mere words – that the breadth and depth of diversity and inclusivity transcends all levels, giving everyone equal opportunities at being heard and being understood,” said Her Majesty.
New Zealand’s 2021 conference theme is “Innovation for sustainable futures” and will focus on building links between APAIE and universities in the South Pacific region.
With 2,500 – 3,000 delegates and at least 300 exhibition booths, it is expected to be the largest international education event to be held in New Zealand to date. It will be held in Auckland at the New Zealand International Conference Centre (NZICC), which is currently under construction.
“Over the next couple of years, ENZ will work with the New Zealand sector to build our presence at the APAIE conference British Columbia in 2020, so that the 2021 conference delivers for our education providers and showcases the best of our international education sector to the world” said Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive.
Engaging personally in Viet Nam
People generally seem tired of online meetings and webinars, preferring to meet and attend events in person. In recognition of this trend, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) has actively engaged with different stakeholders in recent months, to maintain our in-market promotion and explore new opportunities for New Zealand providers.

A workshop for counsellors from private and international schools to connect with recruitment representatives from NZ universities.

In late June, ENZ organised workshops to help connect recruitment representatives from New Zealand universities with selected counsellors from private and international schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi. At the workshops, we asked about Vietnamese students’ current attitudes towards a New Zealand education, discussed the opportunities and challenges for each New Zealand provider, and identified any topics they wanted to explore further.
ENZ and in-market representatives of some New Zealand providers have also participated recently in commercial fairs, organised by key education agencies in Viet Nam. These fairs look and feel just like they did in the past, with multiple booths for institutions from various countries, and high numbers of students and parents coming to talk directly with recruitment staff.
As New Zealand reopens the border for international students, it is critical we communicate directly with students and partners that we welcome students coming to study here. We are looking forward to the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - Agent Seminar and New Zealand Fair in late October.
- Van Banh, ENZ’s market manager based in Ho Chi Minh City
Manaaki Scholarships operations transferred to ENZ
Operational responsibility for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme was formally transferred to Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) on 1 November 2022, the result of almost two years of sustained effort from both sides.
The team transferring from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), along with other new staff working on the scholarships programme, were welcomed to ENZ with a mihi whakatau by a group that included ENZ Board Chair Steve Maharey and Chief Executive Grant McPherson.
Manaaki Scholarships represent the government’s single largest investment in international scholarships and have been awarded for more than 70 years. ENZ is taking over operational management from MFAT, which will remain responsible for setting the strategic direction, alumni relationships and funding the programme.

On the symbolic handing over of MFAT's ‘living taonga’ to ENZ, Divisional Manager Joanna Kempkers noted, “if our Policy Team are the head, giving strategic direction, and the Alumni Team is the arms, reaching out to embrace scholars on completion, then the Operations Team is the beating heart of the Manaaki Scholarships Programme. We are confident that ENZ will take good care of our team, of the Manaaki Scholarships Programme, and deliver enhanced ‘mana through manaaki’ to our individual scholars.”
ENZ and MFAT have worked together on an improvement programme that will get underway early in 2023. This will include a technology upgrade as well as operational policy shifts to strengthen student experience.
“This partnership is one of those rare events where logic and virtue combine to provide a stronger and better outcome,” said ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson. “It is not just a good idea for our two agencies, but it’s a great idea for NZ Inc and will bring broader benefits beyond our immediate goals.”
“We know our own in-country teams already work closely with MFAT on matters concerning the Manaaki Scholars,” says GM Sector Services Sahinde Pala.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to become more closely involved in the scholarships programme and the work on continuous improvements. Our aim is to ensure scholars have an excellent experience and become lifelong ambassadors for Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Manaaki Scholarships are a key pillar of Aotearoa New Zealand’s International Development Co-operation, offering more than 1,100 scholarships annually to students from 112 eligible countries to study in Aotearoa New Zealand, in the Pacific, or online.
For information on opening dates to apply for Manaaki Scholarships, go to: Application opening and closing dates for your country | MANAAKI | Education New Zealand (nzscholarships.govt.nz)
Programmes of study can be found here: Types of Manaaki Scholarships | MANAAKI | Education New Zealand (nzscholarships.govt.nz)
Eligible countries can be found here: 1.Check eligible countries | MANAAKI | Education New Zealand (nzscholarships.govt.nz)
To contact ENZ’s Manaaki Scholarship team, please email manaaki@enz.govt.nz
Massey and Education New Zealand collaborate on digital marketing service
How prospective students interact with a New Zealand provider before they enrol can make all the difference, when it comes to whether or not a student makes the leap. EOS is a digital tool, managed by ENZ, that has the potential to improve this process significantly.
EOS involves digitally linking up ENZ’s student-facing marketing platforms that provide tailored information about New Zealand with students offshore – such as www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz, and Massey’s international student Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. It works by sharing students’ interest in Massey (with their permission), with the university, allowing the Massey team to begin engaging with them through their own marketing processes.
This service benefits both ENZ and Massey: Massey receives leads that ENZ has generated, and ENZ can keep an eye on students to help better understand what marketing activities generate applications that are the best fit for New Zealand.
Massey Manager of International Marketing and Communications, Rachel O’Connor, estimates that the EOS saves about three minutes’ work on each prospective student. In just two months, that’s added up to just over 32 hours of her team’s time.
“We’re improving our understanding of our students’ digital journey through seamless integration, improved automation and better reporting,” she says. “I love the fact that we can actually see things like the most popular courses, markets and demographics.”
Of the prospective students ENZ has shared with Massey, 10 percent have started the enrolment process, and five percent have completed their application.
EOS has been 18 months in the making – and its development has been a collaborative effort between ENZ, ENZ’s data partner SpeakData and Massey.
ENZ Director Marketing Platforms and Campaigns, Euan Howden, says Massey saw the potential of the EOS pilot early.
“The completed project is an excellent example of the value to be gained from partnerships – we’re already working on connecting more institutions to the EOS.”
The EOS is currently available to all universities and some larger PTEs – and ENZ is looking at how it can also be of benefit to other parts of the sector such as schools and ITPs. Once the service has been fully established, ENZ will give further updates on its performance and rollout.
If you would like to learn how your institution could use the service, please contact ebd@enz.govt.nz.
Register for ENZ’s market intelligence webinar
New Zealand education providers are invited to sign up for the industry webinar hosted by the ENZ team in Viet Nam.
The ENZ team in Viet Nam has organised an industry webinar to offer local market updates and insights, competitors analysis, external expert views as well as updates on ENZ’s upcoming promotional events and activities in the country.
ENZ’s Director - Asia, John Laxon, said the industry webinar is a great opportunity for New Zealand education providers to receive local in-market intelligence from ENZ staff and independent in-market experts.
“This will help education providers in ensuring their in-market recruitment efforts are well targeted. Our 2019 webinar series is providing market insights and updates from across the Asia region, taking into account the strong industry interest in the 2018 series.”
Vietnam Industry Webinar
Thursday, 15 August, 10am Viet Nam time/3pm New Zealand time
Click here to register
Hands-on environmental studies for US students
EcoQuest Education Foundation is a charitable trust and PTE based in Whakatīwai, with strong connections to Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Whanaunga.
“We had a wonderful day on the Wharekawa Coast,” says Ria Brejaart, EcoQuest’s Academic Director.
“Led by mana whenua, our students welcomed special guests US Consul General Sarah Nelson, Director of USA Study Abroad Heidi Manley, and Senior Education Advisor US Consulate General, Katie Sleeman. EcoQuest’s Board of Trustees and academic associates also attended the event, along with other key supporters.

EcoQuest team and manuhiri at the bird hide.

“It was a great way to celebrate both the return of our US students after a long Covid-19 hiatus, and our enduring relationships with our collaborators and supporters. It felt particularly apt to be on the shores of Tikapa Moana, where the kuaka (bar-tailed godwits) return each year from Alaska.
“The morning of observing birds on the shell-banks was followed by a visit to Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, for a talk by Keith Woodley, Centre Manager. We then returned to EcoQuest where we marked the occasion by presenting Tū Ngātahi pins to all our students, on behalf of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao.”

A presentation from Keith Woodley (Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre Manager). Front row left, Beth Coleman (EcoQuest Board Chair) and Sarah Nelson (US Consul General).

Beth Coleman (EcoQuest Board Chair) and Jono Clark (Director) presented Tū Ngātahi pins to the students.

The eighteen students are from the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Cornell University, University of Michigan, and Colorado State University. They are participating in a fifteen-week residential semester programme with EcoQuest, which offers undergraduate programmes in partnership with UNH. Students gain credits for their undergraduate degrees back home.
“Within the international education sector, EcoQuest contributes high-quality, niche programmes,” says Alana Pellow, Business Development Manager at ENZ.
“These international student programmes align well with New Zealand’s areas of excellence in ecology, restoration ecology, environmental policy, and sustainability. EcoQuest students undertake real-time research for many different collaborators including iwi, NGOs and trusts, councils, private land owners and the Department of Conservation. Academic and scientific rigour are the basis for these unique hands-on learning opportunities.”
“EcoQuest also contributes to international thinking around indigenous approaches to sustainability, through inclusion of elements of Te Ao Māori and mātauranga in its education and research activities.”
The current students are part of Cohort 4, the final cohort of international students to be given entry to New Zealand through a border exception earlier this year. Cohort 4, which was jointly led by ENZ and the Ministry of Education, saw 5,000 international students from 109 different countries nominated for student visas, before New Zealand’s borders fully reopened in August.
Future Focus Programme seeds innovation
The Future Focus Programme is a new initiative which will provide $200,000 per sector in funding to help peak bodies seed innovation projects.
The school, university, private training establishment (PTE), polytechnic (ITP), English language, and education products and services sectors are all being supported through this programme.
The funding is to be used by peak bodies to develop an innovation plan for their sector, and to initiate innovation projects. Innovation projects are to focus in the areas of product development, online delivery, new business models and the development of innovation capability.
Through this support, ENZ wishes to encourage sectors to adopt new ways of working to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 or similarly unprecedented events.
“The Future Focus Programme is a tangible way in which ENZ can help support sectors to shape their future in the ‘new normal’ post COVID-19,” ENZ General Manager – Partnerships & Marketing, Paul Irwin, says.
“The programme is additional to our normal activities and is designed with a clear focus on innovation – part of Goal 2 of the New Zealand International Education Strategy. With all the uncertainty we are currently facing, this programme is an opportunity to take stock of what COVID-19 means for how international education can operate in the future and develop new products, services, behaviours and models to help us be more resilient to change.”
“We’re pleased to be working alongside peak bodies to help shape their future focus plans and we look forward to seeing the launch of a number of innovative projects.”
ENZ is working alongside peak bodies as they develop their innovation plans and identify prospective innovation projects. These plans and projects will be agreed over the coming weeks.
Delivery timeframes will vary according to the peak body and the scale and nature of the projects they initiate, but projects are expected to be implemented over the coming 12 to 18 months.
Statement from Linda Sissons, Acting Chief Executive
We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of international students in a road accident near Lake Tekapo on Saturday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the campus communities at the University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington and the wider Malaysian student community in New Zealand.

We hope those injured in the crash make a full recovery.

We are grateful for the community of support that has emerged around the accident in New Zealand and Malaysia to aid the victims and their families during an extremely distressing and challenging time – heartfelt thanks to our emergency response teams, the Malaysian community in Ōtautahi Christchurch, universities, and locals who responded to the scene.

Linda Sissons

Acting Chief Executive, Education New Zealand
India promotional season targets new cities
The ENZRA fairs took place in four new markets this year: Jaipur, Bangalore, Dehradun and Pune.
Jugnu Roy, ENZ’s Country Manager – India, said this offered a great opportunity to reach out to aspiring undergraduate and postgraduate students from new Indian markets.
“Indian families are increasingly choosing a New Zealand education as the best option for their children’s career paths. There was a 17% increase in Indian students enrolling at New Zealand universities in 2018, and a further 43% increase in first-time student visas in 2019.
“As part of the university strategy for India, our focus is on increasing awareness and enrolments at undergraduate levels, particularly amongst students who have traditionally been looking to the US, UK and Europe for their undergraduate degrees.”
In addition to the fairs, ENZ organised further activities for seven New Zealand universities. This included a roadshow to two prominent private schools in Delhi where they presented their strengths in the areas of business, engineering, science & technology, media, and art and design. This was followed by a high energy New Zealand-themed quiz show and some guest lectures by visiting academics from New Zealand universities.
ENZ also announced the first New Zealand Excellence Awards undergraduate package for Indian students, offering 18 scholarships worth $10,000 each to study at any one of the New Zealand’s universities. Applications close 10 June 2019.