10 April 2019 at 9:00 am
Letter from the CE: Living the brand
As I sat in the audience at the APAIE conference in Kuala Lumpur at the end of March, it was very moving to hear the Malaysian Queen Consort, Her Majesty The Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah, single out New Zealand for the acts of great kindness, empathy, inclusivity and global citizenry that we – you – showed.
I would like to offer a very big thank you to education providers up and down the country for the genuine support and compassion you gave to your students and families after the terrorist attacks in Christchurch. You embodied New Zealand’s brand values.
I would especially like to acknowledge the work that went into ensuring accurate, appropriate messages were given to students, parents and other key parties, and the ongoing efforts to visit, and speak and comfort, affected people personally.
Because of this amazing level of support, international students are continuing to have positive experiences in New Zealand. We have heard of very few cases of international students returning home, and in some cases, the warmth in our response has only reaffirmed their decision to study here.
Here at ENZ, we are continuing to respond in a market-specific way to ensure New Zealand remains a sought-after study destination.
These progressive and inclusive values Kiwis have demonstrated in recent weeks will be reflected in the ‘Think New’ brand refresh currently underway. It strengthens New Zealand’s identity as a welcoming study destination for all students, with strong cultural values and a future-focussed teaching style and learning environment where students can prepare for the future.
We look forward to sharing it with you later in the year.
Grant McPherson
ENZ Chief Executive
