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• Wintec celebrates 10 years of friendship with Shimane University

  Accompanied by Professors Jun Iwata and Dr Rie Sato, the students will undertake a two-week short study tour through Wintec’s Centre for Health and Social Practice and Centre for Languages.

  The group was welcomed with a pōwhiri at Wintec’s city campus where the students responded with traditional Japanese songs. Shortly after, Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers and Shimane University professor Jun Iwata cut a celebration cake with the students.

  Wintec international director Jason Matangi welcomed the visitors and spoke about the value of the relationship between Wintec and Japan.

  “Maintaining international relations is essential for Wintec and for New Zealand. The 10-year anniversary is an important milestone in our relationship and is a recognition of our deep friendship and the regard with which we hold Shimane University and Japan.”

  During their time at Wintec, the students will study nursing and medical education to get an overview of the health sector in New Zealand. This includes academic visits to Waikato Hospital and Waterford Birth Centre to allow the Japanese students to learn more about New Zealand practices.

  To complete the Kiwi experience, the students will also take English language courses and live with local homestays. The group will also have a chance to tour around the Waikato region including weekend trips to Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Taupō.

  The relationship between the two institutions started 10 years ago through a staff exchange programme. Since 2010, Wintec has welcomed students from Shimane University for short-term training programmes every year.

  Wintec and Shimane University aim to enhance this mutual programme in the next few years. 

• New Chair for English New Zealand

  Ewen is Education Group Director at ICL Business School in Auckland. ENZ congratulates Ewen on his appointment and looks forward to working with him and the members of English NZ over the coming year. Ewen can be contacted at chairman@englishnewzealand.co.nz

  Outgoing Chairman, Darren Conway, made a significant contribution to furthering the goals of English NZ and to influencing positive change at all levels for the English language sector. ENZ would like to thank Darren for his tireless work and wish him well in his continuing role as CEO of Languages International.

  Together with the appointment of Ewen Mackenzie-Bowie, a new executive committee for English New Zealand was appointed:

  • Tim Brown, CEO The Campbell Institute

  • Kim Harase, Director of Marketing, Academic Colleges Group

  • Maureen Hayes, Principal and Managing Director of Worldwide School of English

  • Giuliana Silviera, Principal, Kaplan International Auckland

  ENZ looks forward to continuing its work with English NZ to grow the English language sector in New Zealand.

• International students in Dunedin get connected

  ‘Get Connected’ was a networking evening to launch the Job Ready Programme, which prepares international students for the transition from study to work through improving their skills and confidence in approaching prospective employers.

  Job Ready is a free, extracurricular programme designed for any tertiary international student studying in the Dunedin region. The aim of the programme is to give participants an in-depth understanding of working culture and expectations in New Zealand, and to help them develop skills that will aid them in New Zealand workplaces.

  “For many International students in New Zealand, networking is a scary and foreign business practice,” says Job Ready Coordinator, Madison Stumbles. “We wanted to create a new cultural norm – for students and businesses – where networking isn’t scary and international students have the confidence to engage with businesses looking to utilise the skills they have to offer.”

  The programme has been developed with the support of ENZ’s Regional Partnership Programme, Enterprise Dunedin, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago and the Otago Chamber of Commerce. 

  The event saw 15 international Job Ready ‘graduates’ engage with the potential employers in a positive and enriching atmosphere. The Minister of Immigration, Hon Michael Woodhouse, delivered the keynote speech and was joined by Education New Zealand’s Greg Scott and Enterprise Dunedin’s Export Education Coordinator, Sarah Gauthier and representatives of Dunedin’s international education providers.

  A strong turnout at the event demonstrated the level of commitment to international education in the city, and the strong understanding among all attendees of the way in which the Job Ready Programme can support local businesses in globalising their operations by creating links to skilled, international talent.

  

  Job Ready Graduate with PhD student and AD Instruments representative, Pramuk Perera.

  About the programme

  In the lead up to the event, a pilot group of 15 international students from Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago underwent the six-week intensive Job Ready programme.

  Confidence building was the main focus over the six weeks, with a strong emphasis placed on enabling the students to polish their professional networking skills. Several interactive seminars were facilitated by members of the Dunedin business and education community, with one popular session on ‘How to network’ led by Gallaway Cook Allan’s, Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Gorman.

  At the end of the six-week programme, students were proactively arranging meetings to talk to professionals with business interests in their field of study, and two had successfully secured employment for the following year.

  With more study ahead of them, the remainder of the students credited the Job Ready Programme with boosting their confidence in finding work in New Zealand after graduation.

  “I got what I needed out of this programme – confidence, knowledge [and] a better network of potential employers,” said one participant.

  “I would like to thank those who made this programme successful as it has given us a good insight into skills and abilities to work on, which are not usually taught in university,” stated another.

  Feedback from business participants was also incredibly positive. “I overheard Roger Belton from Southern Clams commenting on how these students were so capable, and on how they could help their businesses grow into new markets,” said Sarah Gauthier, Export Education Coordinator.  “He really enjoyed meeting the students and hearing how their international business skills and multiple language abilities would help his business grow into places like Thailand and Malaysia.”

  Local Dunedin businesses represented at the event included ADInstruments, Southern Clams, PocketSmith, Mixbit, Myth, Firebrand, ANZ and Cook Wong Accountants. There was also international business representation from the Carraway Group, a Hong Kong-based financial services firm.

  

  Job Ready Coordinator Madison Stumbles with Minister Woodhouse as they presented each student with their frame able Job Ready completion certificate, signed by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull.

  Next steps

  Planning for the next phase of the project is underway, with the next six-week programme being open to all international tertiary students in Dunedin and having an even stronger focus on engagement with local businesses.

  “I am really looking forward to see what phase two can do for Dunedin’s international students,” said Sarah Gauthier. “Secondary school engagement will be a priority and Job Ready intends to utilise the support received in the first phase to develop comprehensive material that will be applicable to all businesses and international students in New Zealand.”

  Think you’d like to do something similar in your region?  Sarah, Madison, and the Job Ready Programme partners are only too happy to share their learnings and provide hints and tips from their experience.

  Email Sarah in the first instance: sarah.gauthier@dcc.govt.nz

   

• Japanese teachers visit New Zealand schools

  Participating schools had previously indicated their interest in New Zealand through a survey put together by Air New Zealand and ENZ and also attended a seminar prior to embarking on the tour.

  Japanese teachers were the focus for this familiarisation visit in recognition of the fact that they are among the key influencers, along with alumni and agents, for Japanese students and their families when considering international study locations. The word-of-mouth promotion of New Zealand as an education destination that comes from these visits is highly effective.

  The four-day tour started off with a visit to Rotorua where we visited the agrodome at the Rotorua English Language Academy to see the famous farm show, followed by a wonderful Māori experience at Te Puia. On the second day, despite the heavy rain, we received a warm welcome at Tauranga Boys’ College and Girls’ College, visited Hobbiton and enjoyed the experience of a Kiwi farm stay in Cambridge. The third day saw us visit the Waitomo glow warm cave and Waikato University, where the boys’ rugby team were hosted in July this year as part of the Game on English programme. The final day was dedicated to Auckland, where we visited Northcote College and Language International.    

  Participants were impressed by the quality of programmes and facilities offered by New Zealand schools and universities. The Cambridge farm stay in was also very well received by the teachers who considered it a uniquely New Zealand experience. Through conversations with teachers and counsellors, the Japanese teachers were also reassured by the level of support offered to international students in New Zealand. The group also had the chance to speak to some Japanese students and saw how well they integrate with New Zealand students in the classroom. A reflection of New Zealand’s emphasis on diversity, I believe. 

  With the growing demand from the high school sector in Japan, we were pleased to showcase New Zealand’s high-quality of education, along with the Kiwi lifestyle and cultural experiences. Following the trip Yamate Gakuin Junior and Senior High School in Yokohama has made a decision to send a group of students to New Zealand starting August 2016. Takigawa Boys' Junior and Senior High School in Kobe will also start offering a 3 months programme in New Zealand from 2018. 

  I look forward to facilitating more relationships between New Zealand education providers and institutions and agents in Japan in the coming year.

  I would like to sincerely thank all the institutions, local tourism offices and venues, and Air New Zealand for their support in making this programme a success.

  Misa Pitt

• New portal shows students around New Zealand

  The Study in New Zealand website will soon have a regions portal to show international students what it would be like to study, live and work in different parts of New Zealand.

  Students will be able to access information, search options, maps and interactive tools about New Zealand, which is divided into 15 regions for the purposes of this project.

  The portal aims to increase referrals from Study in New Zealand to institutions and regional cluster websites around the country.

  The Study in New Zealand website already has a New Zealand regions section showcasing tourism attractions, but it isn’t targeted to meet the needs and interests of students. The new portal, to be launched in July, will focus on letting students know about specific advantages of studying, living and working in each regions.

  Education New Zealand (ENZ) worked in partnership with our regional network of representatives to identify value propositions for each region. We also set up a Regional Reference Group, consulting the group at every stage of the project.

  The project is part of the Regional Partnership Programme, launched in 2013 to support the development and growth of international education in selected regions.

  It contributes to one of ENZ’s key Statement of Intent targets which sets out to ‘increase the proportion of international students enrolled to study in regions outside of Auckland’. 

  Our new regions portal taps into a trend highlighted in a recent ICEF Monitor article, which highlights that location is an important factor in the decision to study abroad.

  ICEF Monitor reported that international students considering an education institution look closely at the city or town’s key offerings including weather, cultural and recreation opportunities before committing to study there. The article used New Zealand as an example, referring to our ‘notable destination marketing-based campaign’.

• APAC TVET Forum: Bringing us together 

  The inaugural Asia Pacific Technical and Vocational Education and Training Forum will be held online on the first two Fridays in November 2021. The event – themed “Bringing us together” – will allow people in the sector to share best practice and foster new connections despite COVID-19 travel restrictions.

  The APAC TVET Forum will be opened by New Zealand’s Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, and will feature an address by the Chief Executive of Te Pūkenga New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, Stephen Town.

  The forum is driven by partners Te Pūkenga, Education New Zealand and Skills Consulting Group.

  ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson says with an increasing emphasis on applied learning and work-ready graduates, the applied vocational sector in Aotearoa New Zealand has much to offer.

  “A New Zealand education produces in-demand graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to join the workforce with confidence,” Mr McPherson says.

  The APAC TVET Forum will bring together experts from the three sectors vital to effective technical and vocational education – government, industry and education. It will offer government-to-government, business-to-business and system-to-system content streams – bringing people together for a cross-system conversation.

  There is no cost to register for forum sessions on 5 and 12 November, and there are networking opportunities and sessions on the days in between.

  The international heft will come from speakers including Professor Christina Hong, President of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong and Marc Gomes, Group Senior Vice President and Head of Training for ADECCO Global.

  The Pacific representatives include Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Director of the National Training and Productivity Centre at the Fiji National University, who is presenting on upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning as part of the system-to-system content stream.

  The APAC TVET Forum builds on the strong foundations of the Sino-NZ Vocational Education and Training Model Programme, a forum for sharing best practice that is widely acknowledged as beneficial to both countries. Under this programme, Chinese and New Zealand institutions have taken turns to host the annual New Zealand-China Higher Vocational Education Conference.

  China’s Central Institute of Vocational and Technical Education – a China Ministry of Education thinktank – has supported and presented at the previous conferences and will deliver a keynote presentation at the APAC TVET Forum.

  Wherever we live in the world, a thriving future is what we all want. Governments, industries and educators are all working together to upskill and reskill workforces disrupted by the pandemic. The APAC TVET Forum is a chance to be part of the solution. To register or find out more, go to www.apactvetforum.com.

• Gambier Islands students ‘snowstruck’

  The 33 students and their guardians spent three days travelling from their home in Mangareva Island, the largest island in the remote Gambier archipelago, which is more than four hours’ flying time south of Tahiti, to reach Taupo.

  This remoteness means the Gambiers are known as 'the islands at the end of the world'. With a tropical climate, coral white sands, coconut palms, mountainous peaks and expansive fishing lagoons, the French-administered Gambiers are most famous for their black pearl industry. The 14 islands are also a popular sailing destination.

  Unaccustomed to Taupo temperatures, the group – a sizeable proportion of the entire 1530 Gambier population – had to borrow warm clothing from their homestay families when they arrived. There are no clothing shops and very few stores on their remote island. The teenagers quickly discovered Taupo's shops and got busy buying clothing and gifts to give to their families.

  As part of their two-week English immersion course, the students took part in activities in and around Taupo, including indoor climbing, meeting pupils from Taupo-Nui-a-Tia College and visiting a marae. The visitors could understand the Māori language, as their local Marquesan language is similar.

  However, the highlight of the trip was two days spent learning to ski at Happy Valley, the “magic carpet” learner slope of Whakapapa Ski Area on Mt Ruapehu near Taupo.

  Parents and teachers accompanying the group said Taupo Language School was recommended by Air Tahiti nui because it could offer the skiing and adventure activities, and the town is an easy and safe place to shop. They spent nine months planning and fundraising, although some expenses were subsidised by local government.

  One of the parents, Denis Salmon, said they were pleased with how much the students' English had progressed.

  "Not only have they become more independent and confident, but they now realise the importance of learning this language."

  Taupo Language School director Rose Blackley said attending multi-cultural classes meant the students made friends with Saudi, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and South American nationals.

• Oldest Korean education agency files for bankruptcy

  Korean local media reported that Uhak.com has failed to pay up to NZ$2 million in tuition fees to its partner education institutions around the world, impacting approximately 200 of Uhak.com’s clients.

  Uhak.com had facilitated paying clients’ tuition fees to international education institutions. The company would receive the fees from parents two to three months in advance, and receive commissions from the overseas providers for the service. The company is alleged to have used clients’ tuition fees to pay its expenses.

  Uhak.com sends around 3,000 students per year to education institutions around the world. Over the past two years, the agency had sent over 100 students to New Zealand’s English language providers.

  Established in 1981, Uhak.com operated 12 offices in Korea and had branches worldwide including Auckland. The company’s revenue in 2015 was approximately NZ$13 million.

  In 2014, Canadian education group Loyalist Group Limited acquired Uhak.com for NZ$10 million. 

• Language and culture exchange strengthens ties with South Korea

  The students, from 64 schools across South Korea, were welcomed by Waiuku College and St Peter’s School in Cambridge, where they connected with local students, explored school facilities, and experienced Kiwi culture first-hand. From powhiri to classroom visits, the exchange sparked meaningful cross-cultural connections. 

  

  Powhiri at Waiuku College.

  Waiuku College Director of Community and Global Relations, Antionette Walters, said the students were amazing, and willing to make the most of their experience.  
  
  “They were so happy to give anything a go – they even loved trying a New Zealand mince pie!” she said. 

  

  At St Peter’s, students toured the Equestrian Centre and Golf Academy, with Head of School Jason Speedy welcoming the group and sharing insights into the school’s campus and learning environment. 

  The visit followed a two-week English training programme in rural South Korea, where six experienced New Zealand teachers taught students aged Year 8–11. Selected from over 35 applicants, the teachers represented schools from Hamilton, Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, Cambridge, Wellington, and Tauranga. 

  ENZ representatives joined the programme’s opening event in Yangpyeong on 25 July, meeting the teachers and witnessing the enthusiasm of Korean students engaging with New Zealand’s distinctive teaching style. 

  Bernadette Moffat, ESOL Teacher at Silverdale Normal School and Huntly Primary School, said: “It was a privilege to represent New Zealand and see how eager the students were to learn.”  

  Bernadette was one of six New Zealand teachers who travelled to Korea to teach English and attended the closing ceremony where students were recognised for excellence in English. 

  Looking ahead, EPIS is exploring the possibility of expanding the current short visit into a four-week study experience in New Zealand from 2026, offering even deeper immersion for future scholarship recipients. 

• Thai delegation visits New Zealand

  In light of the Thai government’s new plan to develop a skilled workforce to meet industry demand, ENZ saw an opportunity to connect RMUT with New Zealand providers.

   

  RMUT has a network of 40 campuses across Thailand, which are most similar to New Zealand ITPs. RMUT has a particular interest in customised, short-course training in New Zealand, and would like to see the establishment of an English language centre in Thailand.

   

  The visit showcased New Zealand’s focus on practical skills and innovation in the classroom, with ENZ setting up meetings with Auckland University of Technology, Unitec, Air New Zealand Aviation Institute, Wintec, Wellington Institute of Technology, Whitireia Institute of Technology, Massey University, Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago Language Centre.

   

  Jaruwan Pongjaruwat, ENZ Programme Manager – Thailand, said the visit created a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand’s education system and fields of expertise.

   

  “The RMUT group especially enjoyed the unique cultural experience and appreciated the welcoming and friendly New Zealand people.

   

  “We visited some classrooms and they were able to see first-hand the practical learning environment.”

   

  The visit is already showing positive results, with one RMUT president inviting selected New Zealand institutions to visit Thailand for further discussions.

   

  

  The group of RMUT representatives at Air New Zealand Aviation Institute