Strengthening New Zealand’s education links across South America

New Zealand has reinforced its education and research partnerships across South America following a high-level diplomatic and business mission led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters from 1-9 March.

The mission visited Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile and included a cross-party parliamentary delegation, a business contingent and representation from the tertiary sector, signalling strong, unified commitment to deepening New Zealand’s engagement with the region.

Brazil: Renewed education cooperation and creative industries focus

In Brazil, education collaboration was a central outcome of the visit, with the signing of a new Education Cooperation Arrangement (ECA) between New Zealand and Brazil. 

Signed in Brasília by Minister Peters and Brazil’s Executive Secretary of Education, Leonardo Barchini, the agreement refreshes and replaces the previous 2004 memorandum of understanding.

The new arrangement establishes a framework for deeper cooperation across all levels of education, including student and academic exchanges, joint research projects, vocational and technological education, and the sharing of best practice. Priority areas include diversity and inclusion, indigenous education and language revitalisation, digital education, teacher training and sustainable development.

Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao Market (ENZ) Development Manager, Bruna de Natale said the agreement sent a strong signal to students and education institutions alike.

“This is very positive news for the international education sector and should make it easier for more Brazilian students to study in New Zealand,” Bruna said. 

“Stronger collaboration will encourage student exchanges at all levels, from English language courses to secondary and tertiary education, while also opening new pathways for researchers and institutions.”

The Brasília programme also highlighted the growing impact of New Zealand alumni in Brazil’s creative industries, with AUT alumnus David Schurmann recognised during multiple official events.

Chile: Alumni connections and new English language pathways

ENZ’s Director of Engagement for Latin America, Javiera Visedo and Dr. Bronwen Kelly, Deputy Chief Executive of UNZ (far left; who was part of the delegation) with New Zealand alumni at an event in Santiago

In Chile, ENZ worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to showcase the long-term value of a New Zealand education through an alumni event in Santiago.

The event brought together leaders across research, business and public sectors.

ENZ’s Director of Engagement for Latin America, Javiera Visedo said alumni remain New Zealand’s strongest advocates in the region.

“The stories we heard from Chilean alumni clearly demonstrate the lifelong value of a New Zealand education and the influence our graduates have across key sectors,” Javiera said.

In Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Minister Peters also announced a new four-week English scholarship programme for tourism professionals, a joint ENZ-MFAT initiative designed to support skills development in a high-impact sector and grow future English language student mobility.

Together, the mission’s outcomes underscore Latin America’s strategic importance to New Zealand and reinforce ENZ’s focus on building high-quality, sustainable education partnerships across the region.