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• New Zealand ready to lead students to a more sustainable future

  Research commissioned by Education New Zealand in May found that 79 percent of participants were interested in studying sustainability and climate change. And the 2019 QS Environmental Concerns Survey of 3700 prospective international students from around the world found that more than 75 percent would be more likely to choose a degree if the content helped them learn about reducing their environmental impact.

  New Zealand is often viewed as a progressive nation delivering new solutions to problems while at the same time valuing people, place, and planet. Our world-class education system prides itself on preparing graduates with the practical skills and innovative thinking sought by future employers. Those skills must also now empower them to address issues of global consequence.

  Tertiary education providers boost sustainability education options

  New Zealand tertiary education providers are playing an increasingly important role in shaping this enthusiastic generation of learners, with many institutions incorporating a sustainability focus into their research and in many of the courses they offer.

  Waikato University has gone one step further, announcing it will offer the world’s first Bachelor of Climate Change degree from next year. The three-year course will take a multi-disciplinary approach combining science, economic, social, and political systems, plus mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and wisdom).

  “We all agreed that science alone can’t come up with all the solutions,” says Dean of Science Professor Margaret Barbour, one of the key players in the development of the programme. “We need people who can think across knowledge systems.” She is enthusiastic about the contribution international students will make, working alongside domestic students.

  “International students will broaden our perspectives. They will bring new ideas from their home country and that can only be positive because climate change is a global issue,” she says. “The whole world needs to work together on this. We can’t be constrained by national boundaries.”

  “Very soon New Zealand, and the world, will have these graduates who will have a thorough understanding of climate change and the impacts on environment and people, and they’ll be able to think critically and holistically,” says Prof Barbour. “They will have expertise in a particular area related to climate change, but they’ll also have the ability to engage with cultural competency outside their area of expertise.” Whether it’s about protecting our land or our oceans, Aotearoa New Zealand is making its mark. While there is still much work to be done, learners are looking our way for both leadership and collaboration.

  Students choose New Zealand for sustainability studies 

  German PhD student Alexandra Lischka has travelled the world for her research in marine biology but says she chose New Zealand for her doctorate studies because it offered her the opportunity to work with internationally respected marine scientists across three universities.

  “There are so many problems facing our marine environment, and I want to help solve them. The old ways of thinking aren’t working when it comes to solving some of the biggest problems facing our oceans. I know I need to forge another path if I want to make a difference.”

  Heinrich Blass came to New Zealand from Germany to learn more about sustainable and ecological building practices. He chose to spend two semesters last year taking Building Science courses at Victoria University. “I was able to learn a broad approach to sustainable concepts from design to building technology and engineering systems to green building certification,” he says. “This gave me a deep insight as well as extensive expertise in sustainable building.”

  International education experience takes New Zealand thinking to the world 

  In 2019 and 2020, Auckland University topped 850 institutions from 89 countries in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings which assessed universities against the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals across research, outreach, and stewardship.

  Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says the ease of access to oceans and land provides a “natural emphasis” for environmental research. This, combined with the value placed on kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and mātauranga Māori helps to shape “a unique and distinctive approach to sustainability in this country”.

  For students who seek a brighter future with a lighter footprint, an international education experience in New Zealand will take our thinking to the world, open pathways to collaborate on global causes, and help make the world a better place.

  Mō tātou te taiao ko te atawhai, mō tātou te taiao ko te oranga.

  It is for us to care for and look after the environment to ensure its wellbeing; in doing so we ensure our own wellbeing and that of future generations.

• New Zealand-trained astrophysicist receives top honour in Malaysia

  She was awarded the prestigious Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia, by Sultan Abdullah at his annual Honours ceremony. It carries the title of Tan Sri, one of the highest federal titles, and is only held concurrently by 250 living recipients. 

  Dr Othman studied physics at the University of Otago in the 1970s and returned for post-graduate study in the 1980s, becoming the first woman to graduate from the university with a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics. She then went on to forge a remarkable career in the male-dominated space industry.  

  Colombo Plan Scholar 

  Dr Othman came to New Zealand on a Colombo Plan scholarship. The Plan, a forerunner to our modern development assistance programmes, aimed to promote economic and social development in Asia through education and training.  

  Having fallen in love with physics as a teenager in the 1960s, Dr Othman didn’t discover astronomy or astrophysics until she arrived in Dunedin to study for her PhD in 1974.   

  “There were very few books available at that time and there was not much interest here in Malaysia, but it was very different in New Zealand,” she says. “Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon in 1969 was a very significant event, but I didn’t think at that time that I would have space as a career. Not in a million years.” 

  Studying in New Zealand opened a world of opportunity for the young, Muslim scholar. Not only did she make a career in the space industry, but she became a leading authority, being appointed the Director of the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs in 1999, and the founding director of Malaysia’s National Space Agency in 2002. 

  She acknowledges it has been challenging at times. “It’s been a hard road because I’ve had to start everything from scratch. There was no set path to get to where I am today.” 

  Working to promote science and technology 

  She says her role at the UN was less about science, and more about diplomacy and politics. “How to balance one country’s requirements against another’s. Bringing people to the table together, even if they don’t agree, to try and agree on how to proceed. The other aspect of the job was to see how we could use space to enhance the development of developing countries, especially in science and technology.” 

  It is mostly her work at home for which she has been recognised by the King. As Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, Dr Othman was instrumental in introducing astronomy and space sciences into school and university curricula, advised the Government on space matters, was the driving force behind the National Planetarium in Kuala Lumpur, initiated the country’s National Microsatellite Programme, and headed Mega Science 3.0, the ambitious project to transform Malaysia into leading global player in science and innovation by 2050. 

  Justice and fairness in New Zealand education  

  But it all started as an international student in New Zealand, a time Dr Othman remembers as being both liberating and rewarding. “I particularly loved the egalitarian environment of the university, and that reflected wider New Zealand society.”  

  “There will always be a role for New Zealand in supporting education internationally through its cultural perspective on science,” she says. “There is no hierarchy in New Zealand science – professors treat their students as equals and encourage them to challenge and ask questions. That approach has stayed with me through my career. 

  “New Zealand education also instils a deep sense of justice and fairness.”  – Malaysia alumna and astrophysicist Dr Mazlan Othman. 

• Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education deepens links in New Zealand

  The delegation from Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education East Asia Global Education Institute (Incheon MOE) travelled to Ngatea, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago – visiting providers from the schools, university and vocational education sectors. 

  

  The visit began with a visit to Ngatea to connect with Hauraki Plains College and Ngatea Primary School. 

  

  Observing the Agriculture Academy and trades-based courses at Hauraki Plains College.

  A key aspect of the delegation’s time in Ngatea was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hauraki Plains College and four schools from Incheon: Sunin High School, Shinsong High School, Geomdan High School and Youngwha International Tourism High School.  

  The intent of the MoU is to strengthen educational ties between the schools, which includes a reciprocal exchange program.  

  The first of these exchanges will see 28 students from across the four Incheon schools visit Hauraki Plains College in October 2025, 28 students from Hauraki Plains College will then travel to Incheon in April 2026.   

  

  The delegation was formally welcomed to the Wellington with a Mihi Whakatau hosted by ENZ Chief Executive Amanda Malu, local staff and the Ministry of Education (MOE).

  In Wellington, the delegation received a detailed briefing from the Ministry of Education and visited Scots College to observe the school in action. 

  

  Scots College Junior School Principal, Rachael Huggins, showing the Incheon delegation around a primary-level classroom.

  Down to Christchurch, the Incheon delegation visited Lincoln University to fine-tune the details of an MoU signed in January this year. The partnership arrangement will support five Incheon students to study at Lincoln University each year.  

  

  Incheon delegate members with Lincoln University staff from the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, Academic Preparation and Pathways and International Operations. 

  

  Waitākiri Primary School Principal Mr. Andrew Barker introduces a Year 6 long-term international student from Korea to the delegates. She shared how much she has enjoyed her time at Waitākiri Primary School and expressed her sadness that her year at the school is coming to an end. 

  The group visited Shirley Boy’s High School and Avonside Girls High School in Christchurch, with a side-visit organised with Waitākiri Primary School.  

  Further South, a visit was arranged with Otago Polytechnic in Cromwell to understand the pathways to vocational education in New Zealand. 

  Director of Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education East Asia Global Education Institute, Jooyong Kim, said visiting New Zealand schools was a truly meaningful and deepened delegates understanding of the education system.  

  “We hope this visit will help strengthen the relationship between schools in New Zealand and Incheon”. 

  “We look forward to future collaborative projects with New Zealand institutions,” he added. 

  Several of the schools visited have expressed interest in deepening these new relationships, with planning underway to keep up the momentum and connect again at ENZ-led fairs and agent seminars in Korea later this year.   

   

• From the CE: New Zealand higher education in the spotlight

  Kia ora koutou,  

  Over the past few weeks, I have been abroad in both China and the United States promoting New Zealand education.  

  In late May I was delighted to attend my first NAFSA conference in San Diego, California. NAFSA is the world’s largest international education conference and this year it attracted over 8,000 attendees. ENZ supported the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, University of Waikato, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, University of Otago and Whitecliffe College at the New Zealand Pavilion. Our collective involvement with such a significant event provided us with a strong platform to showcase New Zealand’s unique education offering to a global audience. 

  Following NAFSA, I travelled to Connecticut to meet representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot nation, during which I had a useful exchange on indigenous-to-indigenous education and engagement. It was a genuine privilege to be hosted by this small, resilient tribe, into which my whānau has whakapapa links. 

  Last week, I joined the Prime Minister’s Trade Mission to China alongside education delegates from UP Education, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, and Victoria University of Wellington.  

  The Trade Mission was an opportunity to support the tertiary education sector’s engagement with China which is our largest source market of international students. The visit also reinforced at the Government and sector level our strong bilateral education relationship.  

  One of our key deliverables was an education event to promote New Zealand’s reputation for world-leading research and high-quality education at Fudan University in Shanghai. Fudan is one of China’s most prestigious universities and while there we took the opportunity to celebrate 20 years of the New Zealand-China Tripartite Partnership Programme. A wonderful outcome from the event was the signing of an MoU between Victoria University of Wellington and Fudan University that will see the universities resume student exchanges and pursue research cooperation in public health, biotechnology and climate science. 

  In Beijing, we hosted New Zealand Education Connect and showcased New Zealand as a study destination to our key partners, and alongside Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, we officially launched New Zealand’s Country of Honour campaign for the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE) which will be taking place later this year. 

  Finally, this month the results of the latest QS World University Rankings 2026 were published. New Zealand ranked first in the English-speaking world and fifth globally for the overall quality of its higher education.  

  The 2026 results see New Zealand universities improve across academic reputation, citation per faculty, and international student indicators. New Zealand also ranks the highest globally in terms of employment outcomes among key English-speaking study destinations.  

  This is a fantastic result for our universities and reinforces New Zealand’s position as a high-quality and welcoming international education destination.  

  Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou 

  Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing 

  Ngā mihi nui, 

  Amanda Malu 
  Chief Executive 

   

• PM mission advances New Zealand and China education relationship

  The New Zealand Education Connect event on 20 June at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing brought together leading Chinese government representatives, institutional partners, education agents, and alumni to strengthen people-to-people links and celebrate collaboration.  

  

  The event programme was packed, with nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between New Zealand and Chinese counterparts, and another MoU signed between Victoria University of Wellington and Fudan University on 19 June. 

  Providers from across the tertiary education sector signed the MoUs – with Victoria University of Wellington, Unitec, NMIT and UP Education’s University of Auckland International College and New Zealand Tertiary College formalising partnerships. 

  These agreements cover a mix of in-market delivery, joint programmes, and initiatives to grow student mobility between New Zealand and China.  

  This builds on the now over 60 approved joint education programmes and institutes recognised by the China Ministry of Education between New Zealand and Chinese institutions, and other education partnerships across early childhood education, vocational training, higher education, and research areas.  

  The New Zealand Education Connect event had senior leaders officially launching New Zealand’s Country of Honour campaign for the upcoming China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE), China's largest platform for international education, due to take place in October this year.  

  

  ENZ’s Chief Executive, Amanda Malu, launches the Country of Honour campaign for New Zealand at CACIE alongside Prime Minister Luxon and CEAIE’s Secretary General Jun Yang.

  ENZ Chief Executive, Amanda Malu, said it’s exciting to see advancement of the partnerships New Zealand providers have built with their Chinese counterparts. 

  “We’re eager to see the outcomes of the new agreements formalised at New Zealand Education Connect and look forward to deepening our bilateral ties by leading a delegation to CACIE later this year,” she said. 

  Information on the registration process for New Zealand education providers to join the New Zealand Country of Honour events in October will be shared next month on ENZ’s event page.  

  The Country of Honour promotional video is available with Chinese subtitles on The Brand Lab.  

   

• Support for Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America recipients to continue to June 2026 

  The Prime Minister’s Scholarships programme was discontinued, and its funding reprioritised in the latest Government Budget 2025.   

  The decision to discontinue the programme is in line with the Government’s priority to deliver effective and fiscally sustainable public services and the need to focus on core activities in the current constrained fiscal environment.   

  The change takes effect from 1 July 2025. The decision will not impact any of the scholarships’ current recipients or recipients of the final group round, who were confirmed in June.   

  ENZ will continue to support current recipients, including those who are yet to travel overseas to 30 June 2026.   

  Since their inception in 2013 and 2016, respectively, the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America have been among ENZ’s significant, transformative and impactful programmes of work. To date, the programme has awarded 3,991 scholarships that have helped New Zealanders not only deepen their understanding of different cultures and languages but also enrich appreciation for their own culture and place in the world.   

  ENZ’s Group General Manager, International Marketing, Brand and Scholarships, Anna Gestro, said the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America have had a truly positive impact for building New Zealand’s connections in two key global regions.   

  “To date, the programme has awarded 3,991 scholarships that have helped New Zealanders deepen their understanding of new cultures and languages and enriched appreciation for their own culture and place in the world.   

  “The programme leaves a rich legacy through its rich and diverse alumni, who will continue to be global citizens in the way they nourish the connections and learnings picked up from their life-changing experiences from the scholarships,” Anna said.  

• Putting a healthy smile on the dial of Fiji’s children

  “I love working with children, particularly those living with disabilities and special healthcare needs who require more inclusive oral health policies and programmes.”

  He spent the early years of his career working as a hospital dentist and teaching at the Fiji National University’s School of Dentistry and Oral Health but was ambitious to accomplish much more and knew he would have to study overseas to achieve his goals.

  He travelled first to Portugal to enrol in a Master’s in Public Health and then to the University of Otago’s Faculty of Dentistry to undertake his Postgraduate Clinical Doctoral Degree in Paediatric Dentistry.

  As a third generation Fijian of Indian descent, he describes his international education experience as “life-changing, academically and culturally fulfilling.”

  But Jason says he could never have afforded to study in New Zealand without the support of a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The programme sets out to build future leaders in developing countries by supporting students to upskill here.

  Advocating for better oral health outcomes

  Improving the oral health of young people drives Jason’s clinical and research work and he knows that implementing a preventative approach to tooth decay is key to achieving sustainable outcomes.

  “The mindset in the Pacific is that people mostly don’t come to the hospital clinics for dental care, they wait for pain or symptoms before seeking help,” he says. “But we need to advocate strongly for prevention which is more cost-effective and acceptable.”

  Arriving at the University of Otago in 2019, Jason embarked on his thesis researching the remineralisation potential of selected peptides (one of the building blocks of protein) in preventing tooth decay.

  “Dental decay is prevalent, especially among children, but it is reversible in its early stages. The mainstay of prevention has been fluoride, but we proved that the peptides do have remineralisation potential. Investigation is now under way to learn how it performs alongside fluoride.”

  “I think it has huge potential for the future. The dream would be that we have the next generation of children growing up without fillings in their mouths.”

  Jason says this kind of research would not have been possible in Fiji. “I was very grateful for the experience at Otago. It was an environment that was both supportive and collaborative. It opened up networking opportunities for me. And those networks still support me today.”

  

  Jason also cared for patients at the faculty’s clinical facilities and theatre suites and provided on-call dental services for emergency patients after-hours at Dunedin Hospital, building close bonds with some of his young patients, especially those with special needs.
   
  "The dream would be that we have the next generation of children growing up without fillings in their mouths."

  International education builds skills and confidence

  After his graduation in December, Jason returned to FNU School of Dentistry with additional skills and new-found confidence. “I think that gaining a formal specialist qualification has given me a voice to continue to advocate for children’s oral health through dental education.”

  He wants to establish preventative oral health programmes in schools and help improve the curriculum being taught to dental students in the region, integrating recent innovations and research evidence.

  It’s something he has been thinking about for many years. “Hopefully now we’ll get this done.”

  “I’ve expanded my knowledge, upskilled, and I think I have become more confident as an academic, and as a person. I’ve got my international education and training to thank for that.”

  Manaaki scholar gives back to the community

  Jason is certainly fulfilling the brief of the Manaaki Scholarship to give back to his community. He is maintaining his clinical hours, teaching the next generation of dental students, volunteering his services at an NGO-run paediatric cardiac care hospital, and mentoring students wanting follow in his footsteps by studying overseas.

  

   “International education is very important to Fiji as a developing country,” he says. “I thought it would be valuable to be able to guide students who would benefit from international scholarships in meeting their professional goals, while building capacity in the region.”

  At heart, though, he is an academic and he hopes that in the coming years he can raise the research profile of the Pacific region and build a solid database which will help to secure the funding for much-needed oral healthcare programmes.

  “My message is that there is no general health without oral health. It’s not going to be easy, but we need to start somewhere to get a voice for children and for the profession.”

• Aminat chases sustainable energy dream for Nigeria

  The former maths teacher and electrical engineering undergraduate has recently returned home to Nigeria after studying renewable energy at the University of Otago’s Energy Research Centre. She completed both a post-graduate Diploma and a Master’s of Science in Energy, Science, and Technology.  

  “It has always been my dream to study abroad, and New Zealand made my dream come true because I wanted to study renewable energy,” she says.  

  Manaaki scholarship key to education opportunity

  “New Zealand is one of the top five countries in the world which excel at renewable electricity generation, and it is important to study in a country where you can get practical experience.” 

  Aminat says that the cost of international education overseas is beyond the reach of most people in developing countries, but that her experience was made possible through the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, funded by the New Zealand government. When she applied in 2018, she was one of only a small number of students accepted from Africa “so it was a big deal for me”.

  And so was getting here. “It was my first experience travelling overseas, my first time on a plane, my first time in a new country.”

  But she says she was grateful for the orientation programmes available and quickly felt at home both at university, and in Dunedin. “Just two months after I arrived, the Christchurch mosque shooting happened, and the support I got from my neighbours, my colleagues, and my lecturers was amazing.”

  Energy poverty drives study choice

  Aminat says she is motivated to study renewable energy because of where she comes from.  

  “I wanted to study something would allow me to improve my own country. Every economy depends on a reliable power supply and in Nigeria we have nationwide blackouts regularly. We need to buy petrol to run generators. Most people have generators in their homes, even in the cities.

  “If you don’t have adequate reliable power, it holds back every aspect of the economy and makes it very difficult for businesses to succeed. It affects everything - manufacturing, schooling, farming. You can’t even freeze excess seasonal crops, so most of it goes to waste.” 

  A European Union report released last year titled “Time to make energy poverty in Africa a thing of the past”, backs up what Aminat says. It found that nearly 800 million people globally live without access to electricity, about 600 million of them in sub-Saharan Africa.  

  “In a world of deepening inequalities between the haves and have-nots, this is a glaring injustice, the report says. “Africa is the world’s premium location to harness solar energy and is already demonstrating that a cleaner path is possible.” 

  “Renewable energy is a passion for me,” Aminat says. “We need to talk about renewable energy for the future in Africa. And the future is now.” 

  By coming to New Zealand, Aminat says she saw the potential of what can be achieved with a reliable power supply.  

  Her research, supervised by Associate Professor Michael Jack, explored how to use domestic hot water cylinders for energy storage in microgrids comprised of clusters of households with solar photovoltaic supply. “It’s definitely achievable but needs more research and I’m very keen to take it further.” 

  International education more than classroom learning

  Aminat says studying in New Zealand was “the best-ever experience”, with excellent university facilities and approachable staff always ready to offer help and support. 

  “Studying in New Zealand has given me a voice. It has expanded my horizons, made me more informed, and opened doors for me. People are keen to listen to you when you talk. When you’re looking for a job, an international education experience makes you stand out.”

  “Studying in New Zealand has given me a voice" - New Zealand international student and Manaaki scholar Aminat Razaq

  While the quality of education is essential, Aminat says it’s also about what you learn beyond the walls of a classroom. “You learn a different culture, and you are given the opportunity to explore your chosen field of study and gain another perspective. By offering scholarships, you are also helping the country the students come from.” 

  For any students considering New Zealand as a study destination, Aminat says “don’t think twice”. 

  “New Zealand is probably the most peaceful place in the world, it has all the facilities you need to study, the researchers are top notch, and the people are welcoming.” 

  While studying in New Zealand has fulfilled one of Aminat’s dreams, she is already working on another one. “My new dream is to set up my own energy consultancy company and I’m sure I will achieve it. All the positive experiences I have had in my education will take me there.”  

  And she hasn’t ruled out a return trip to New Zealand. “I am considering studying for my PhD. I loved everything about studying in New Zealand and would love to come back.”

• Student-led business sets out to break down barriers

  InterStudentsNZ, a platform which will host resources and courses to meet the needs of international students, is a regional winner in the Company of the Year category in the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme. It also scooped the Excellence in Promotion Award and Paying it Forward Award.

  InterStudentsNZ is the brainchild of budding entrepreneurs Mackenzie Roskruge (CEO), KimSreng Keo (Production Manager), and Russle La Morena (Finance Director), who met through the college’s international student buddy scheme. They bonded over a shared interest in education and curiosity about their cultural differences.

  Mackenzie and Russle are both domestic students, but Kim arrived in New Zealand in 2018 as an international student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, knowing no-one and understanding little of what seemed to be a strange, new culture.

  He believes that international students enrich New Zealand communities and have much to offer, but that many don’t make the most of their time here because they face challenges integrating into the community and planning a future beyond school.

  “Understanding how people think and how to communicate is important,” he says. “When we first arrive many of us have a big language barrier. There are even subtle cultural differences which we don’t understand, and which need explanation.”

  Platform driven by students, for students

  Sharing his insights of the challenges that international students can face, the friends determined that more support was needed and that a platform driven by students, for students, was the answer.

  The opportunity to enter the Young Enterprise Scheme through their Year 13 Business Studies course, gave the students a chance to turn their ideas into reality.

  InterStudentsNZ has big plans. The team want to create a one-stop shop for resources tailored for students to better understand New Zealand’s education system, work environment, and culture.

  “For example, if a student came to us and wanted to learn about New Zealand slang, we could direct them to a one-hour course with video tutorials, quizzes and written explanations to help them master slang,” says Mackenzie.

  “Or a student might want to learn about social innovation in New Zealand. We could potentially provide a one-two hour course each week for a month with case studies, opportunities for mentorship, and tools for how they could move into social innovation themselves.

  Empowering international students in New Zealand
  
  "We hope students will feel empowered to learn new subjects and inspired to remain studying and working in New Zealand."

  And it’s not only international students who stand to benefit. Surveys of domestic students at Waitakere College showed that they were also interested to explore topics which would likely make them more engaged and invested in their education.

  The InterStudentsNZ team all plan to study at the University of Auckland next year and hope to continue developing their business. With more funding, they would like to add workplace mentorship opportunities for international students, courses in te ao Maori, New Zealand history, and New Zealand industry pathways. They also plan a blog space and a social media presence. “We’re creating a digital Aotearoa for rangatahi all around the world to explore.”

  Giving international students a sense of belonging

  Kim is proud of how much he has achieved since arriving in Auckland as a shy 14-year-old, and grateful for the support he has received from his New Zealand friends. “Working alongside them has been amazing and allowed me to gain so much more confidence. Now we’ve come up with this idea on how to help international students, it’s really strengthened our relationship as a team. “Our business motto is ‘Encouraging Connections’ and that sums up our goals,” says Mackenzie. “It’s about building bridges and supporting international students, giving them a sense of belonging and a great future in New Zealand.”

• Wellington embraces talents, culture, and passion of international students

  While they love the great arts and culture vibe, fabulous food, and easy access to parks and hills, they choose Wellington principally for its world-class educational opportunities and diverse career prospects. 

  In a city where 23 percent of people are studying, international students quickly feel a sense of belonging as they are welcomed into a well-connected community of learners and achievers. As the capital city, Wellington offers sophisticated collaboration between education providers, research institutions, the business community, and Government. 

  Innovative programmes build long-term relationships with international students 

  Study in Wellington, a specialist team within economic development agency WellingtonNZ, promotes the region as a great place to study and enter the workforce, and recognises that international students have much to offer the city both during their stay, and after they have finished studying.  

  “International students bring their culture and their talents,” says programme lead Sarah Grant. “They bring determination, skill, and passion to our community. And they also bring a good work ethic with them.   

  Study in Wellington is focused on building-long-term relationships with students and alumni and has developed an innovative range of programmes tailored to each stage of an international student’s journey, and to provide channels for future collaboration.  

  Networking programmes key to “amazing” experience 

  For 25-year-old Shamanthi Jayawardena, leaving her home in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to study overseas in 2019 was a big decision and there were plenty of options. In the end she chose Wellington, saying the “cool city vibe” and reputation for safety attracted her, along with the quality of the courses available at Victoria University. 

  Returning home 15 months later, having completed her Master’s in Global Marketing, she reflects on an “amazing” experience in Wellington and says much of it was down to her involvement in the programmes offered by Study in Wellington, including Work Ready in Wellington, Alumni Connect and Employer Connect. 

  She says there’s no doubt a highlight was being involved in Employer Connect, which builds up the networking skills of graduating students and connects them with employers.

  “As a project coordinator facilitator, I got the chance to meet people from diverse backgrounds, understand their needs and help design a programme that benefits both the international students and the community of local organisations.” 

  So successful was Shamanthi’s networking that she landed a contract role with Wellington design and digital agency Obvious and continues to work for them remotely from Sri Lanka. 

  The opportunity to succeed is there for all international students, Shamanthi says. 

  “You need to be open-minded, connect with the programmes available to you, and put yourself out there. It’s a great place to follow your passion.” 

  

  Wellington proud of its international student community 

  Grant is proud of the way Wellington embraces its international student community, even with closed borders.  

  “We are ready to welcome back students when we can and believe that we do provide a unique experience and the opportunity to really get connected with the local community, businesses, and institutions. 

  “In return, the students make Wellington a more dynamic and interesting city.”