Christchurch takes education to China

Karen Haigh, ChristchurchNZ Market Project Manager, said the event series was possible due to the highly collaborative way that Canterbury education providers work together.

“Collaborating offshore enables us to present the pathway opportunities for students, and highlight the lifestyle opportunities that make the study experience in Canterbury unique,” she said.

The collaboration continued within ChristchurchNZ, the new city promotion agency that brings together economic development, tourism, major events and international education. For the first time since coming together, the ChristchurchNZ International Education and Tourism teams decided to work together offshore, promoting Christchurch tourism alongside study opportunities.

ChristchurchNZ’s tourism goal for 2025 is to prioritise stronger relationships with export education to better leverage the reciprocal benefits, and increase value for both sectors.

Alistair Crozier, New Zealand Consul-General in Chengdu, said the collaboration between the tourism and education sectors was a no-brainer.

“The inclusion of a tourism element shows that education promotion can be more effective with cross-sectoral synergies, and that raising visitor profile is a key part of student attraction.”

The delegation took part in the ‘Experience Christchurch: New Zealand Education Expo’ in Chengdu, which was part of the New Zealand Consulate’s first ever ‘New Zealand month’ in Sichuan. The event was supported by the Sichuan provincial government education department, which Christchurch Educated has had a growing relationship with since signing a memorandum of understanding in 2014.

Christchurch delegates with invite agents at the ‘New Agent seminar’ at the New Zealand Consulate in Guangzhou.

More than 250 Chinese junior high school students and parents attended, along with the University of Canterbury, Ara Institute of Canterbury and a number of schools.

Karen said the event included interactive introductions to New Zealand and the New Zealand education system, as well as a workshop on ‘Maximising opportunities through international study’ and demonstrations of New Zealand classes.

“The focus was on getting the students to really experience New Zealand education through lots of interaction and participation,” she said.

Alistair said the event, which finished with a fair-style session where students could meet providers and find out more about their institutions, was an excellent showcase of New Zealand education.

“The format, delivery and experience was highly innovative and engaging. The interactive activities, including the classroom sessions, gave students great exposure to New Zealand culture and learning.”

The delegation also held a ‘new agent’ seminar and speed-dating event in Guangzhou, as well as Canterbury Agent Awards luncheons and dinners for the region’s priority agents in Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

These events were supported by ENZ representatives Adele Bryant and Felix Ye, and Consulate-General representatives Alistair Crozier, Michael Zhang, Megan Birnie and Rachael Maidment.