From the CE: Wishing you a Happy Lunar New Year and prosperous Year of the Dragon

The dragon is a majestic and lucky creature in folklore, symbolising bravery, creativity, and innovation. According to the Chinese horoscope, 2024 is a year full of potential and opportunities for personal growth, professional success, and social impact.  

Potential. Opportunities for growth. Social impact. The Year of the Dragon is perfectly matched to international education in New Zealand. 

Entering our second full year since the borders reopened, the good progress made in 2023 sets the platform for further growth in 2024. In November and December, Immigration New Zealand data tells us that the number of offshore applications exceeded all other months in 2023. While this is to be expected, it is without doubt a good sign for term one.  

New Zealand’s reputation for delivering a quality education in a safe environment remains intact and attractive to learners.  

This was further confirmed by the results of our student experience survey completed last year. It reported that 84% of international students rated their overall student experience positively. And that 83% of students would be likely to recommend New Zealand as a study destination compared to 81% in 2021.  

I was also greatly heartened to see the results of our survey of New Zealanders’ attitudes to international education. It found that 75% of New Zealanders believe that international students benefit New Zealand. Specifically, New Zealanders were positive about the contribution international students make to local business during their study, their contribution to New Zealand’s cultural diversity and how they help local students learn about other ways of life.  

This is a win-win. The learners are coming. They have a positive experience when they are here, and they are welcomed by the community for the contribution they make. In the Year of the Dragon this is confirmation of the potential and the social impact of international education.  

Now we must turn that potential into reality, which is what the teams at ENZ are focused on working with you to deliver. International education at all levels is highly competitive, and potential does not just happen – even in the Year of the Dragon. In this edition of E-News you will learn about activities across all geographies and offices, and this week there is an ENZ delegation, comprising all eight universities, meeting important Government, agent and sector partners in India.  

As I said in December, there is still much to do. 

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini.  

It is not the strength of one person alone, but the strength of many that contribute to our success. 

Ngā mihi,

Linda Sissons
Acting Chief Executive