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David Downs appointed Chief Executive of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
David Downs takes over following the recent departure of Amanda Malu, who was appointed Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.
ENZ Board Chair Tony Gray said Downs’ international and marketing experience, including his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Story Group, makes him well placed to lead ENZ as it continues delivering the International Education Going for Growth Plan.
“David has an innate understanding of New Zealand and its competitive advantage in a rapidly changing world. Coupled with his leadership experience at New Zealand Story Group, he is well placed to lead ENZ at this time,” Tony said.
Downs is currently Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Story Group, a role he has held since July 2021. Previously he has previously held a number of General Management roles at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), most recently working with the technology sector to help fast growing tech companies grow internationally and New Zealand companies adopt digital commerce channels to market. Prior to this he had an extensive career in leadership roles with Microsoft in New Zealand and Asia Pacific.
“David is a passionate New Zealander and storyteller by nature, and we are looking forward to his joining ENZ in June,” Tony said.
In the meantime, Dr Linda Sissons will continue as Acting Chief Executive and the Board will be working closely with her and the leadership team to ensure a seamless transition.
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Ministerial visit reinforces higher education and research partnerships with India
New Zealand has advanced its strategic objectives for international education through a high-level ministerial visit to India, reinforcing higher education, research and innovation partnerships with one of New Zealand’s priority markets.
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) supported Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Hon Dr Shane Reti’s visit to New Delhi in February.
The visit had Minister Reti attending the AI Impact Summit and engaging with senior government, academic and innovation leaders, and highlighted education’s role in strengthening bilateral relationships and supporting New Zealand’s long-term economic and research ambitions.
The programme also included a bilateral meeting with India’s Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, providing an opportunity to share higher education reforms, discuss ambitions under the refreshed New Zealand-India Education Cooperation Arrangement.
A key focus was Minister Reti’s visit to the New Zealand Centre at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), a flagship joint initiative established in 2020 by all eight New Zealand universities in partnership with IIT Delhi. The Centre provides a platform for joint research, academic exchange and long-term collaboration, particularly in science and technology.
During the visit, discussions focused on the next phase of engagement under the New Zealand Centre, with proposed collaboration areas including medical technology, energy, environment and climate.
The IIT Delhi visit was also an opportunity to demonstrate impact of experiential learning and joint research with students from New Zealand universities (also recipients of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia) presenting innovative projects developed alongside IIT Delhi students.
Hon. Dr Shane Reti (centre) and New Zealand high Commissioner to India, Patrick Rata (third from right) with the Education New Zealand and IIT Delhi International Office teams during their visit to IIT Delhi
ENZ Director of Engagement – India, Jugnu Roy said the visit strongly aligned with New Zealand’s international education priorities.
“India is a critical partner for New Zealand’s future in education, research and innovation,” Jugnu said.
“This visit showcased the strength of our university-to-university collaboration and reinforced how platforms such as the New Zealand Centre at IIT Delhi can deliver meaningful outcomes for both countries.
“By strengthening institutional partnerships, supporting student pathways and deepening research collaboration, this engagement positions New Zealand as a trusted, long-term education partner for India.”
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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.
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Key insights: Global Brand Health & Awareness Survey 2025
Date: Wednesday, 29 April, 12.30pm NZT
Join us for an exclusive sector webinar unpacking the findings from the Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao Global Brand Health and Awareness Survey 2025.
Conducted in October 2025 across nine priority markets, this research offers the most comprehensive picture yet of how New Zealand is perceived as an international study destination. The survey captures insights from prospective students aged 16-24 as well as parents in key school markets, providing a robust view of decision-making influences across the study journey.
The results establish an important new baseline for understanding global awareness, preference, and the factors shaping international education choices in an increasingly competitive environment.
In this webinar, we will cover:
• Awareness and preference trends for New Zealand across priority markets, including areas of standout growth.
• How New Zealand compares to major competitors including Australia, the US, the UK, Malaysia, Japan, and Singapore.
• Drivers and barriers influencing students and parents, and how affordability, migration pathways, reputation, and proximity are shaping global choices.Why attend?
This webinar provides essential intelligence for providers, recruitment teams, agents, and anyone involved in international engagement. The insights will help you better understand global perceptions of New Zealand, anticipate shifts in student behaviour, and tailor your strategies to meet evolving market needs.
Who should attend?
• International directors and marketing teams
• Recruitment and admissions leaders
• Schools operating in international markets
• Agents and sector partners
• Policy, strategy, and market intelligence teams
