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  • Aotearoa welcomes New Zealand Schools Scholarships students from Viet Nam

    14 high-achieving Vietnamese students will be arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand over the next few months to take up school placements across the country from Kerikeri to Upper Hutt, from Ōtūmoetai to Manawatū. 

    NZSS is the flagship initiative under the Aotearoa New Zealand School Sector Strategy in Viet Nam. It was launched in 2019 and is exclusively offered to Vietnamese students from Grade 8 – 10. Since its launch NZSS has grown to become a prestigious, top of mind scholarship for local students.

    Nguyen Huy could not make it for the in-person Awards Ceremony in HCMC, so we arranged a special meet-up for his family at the Embassy in Hanoi with Ambassador Tredene Dobson, who awarded him with the NZSS certificate.

    ENZ’s Business Development Manager, Mary Camp said that the scholarship programme not only offers talented Vietnamese students the opportunity to experience our country’s world-class education but also brings new perspectives and ways of thinking to Kiwi students as they learn alongside international friends.  

    “Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand are excited to welcome these top scholars from Viet Nam. Previous scholarship winners have had great academic success, made valuable contributions to their schools in NZ, and have gone on to attend top quality universities in NZ and internationally” added Mary.  

    This year’s award winners were celebrated at a ceremony on 18 June in Ho Chi Minh City where H.E Tredene Dobson, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam opened the awards ceremony and pre-departure briefing and congratulated all the students.  

    ENZ’s market manager Van Banh (far left) and Guy Lewis, Consular, NZ Embassy in Hanoi, with NZSS award recipients and family members at the awards ceremony and pre-departure briefing.

    ENZ’s Regional Director for Asia, Mr Ben Burrowes also congratulated the students via video link and said it was fantastic to have a range of ex-scholarship winners and parents join us to share their tips and advice to this year’s winners.  

    “ENZ is absolutely committed to its relationship with Viet Nam and we are excited to welcome the NZSS recipients this year. The NZSS programme is designed so that more Vietnamese school students can access a world-class New Zealand education experience. As we saw pre-COVID, the NZSS recipients received the highest quality education and care while they were in New Zealand and that will certainly continue in 2023,” said Mr Burrowes. 

    A special thanks goes to the VSANZ - Vietnamese Students' Association in New Zealand for its President's presentation on the Pre-Departure Checklist and the NEW tips. 

    Ms Ha An Nguyen, President of VSANZ, shared useful tips for NZSS students to get well-prepared for the new learning journey in New Zealand.

    We wish these students the absolute best for an exciting and rewarding study experience ahead as they start school across the country this week and in the coming months. 

  • Hands-on agribusiness experience for NZ students in Brazil, Chile and Colombia

    Despite being located on opposite sides of the world, New Zealand and Latin America have very similar climates, a phenomenon which serves as an opportunity for students in professions connected to agriculture to broaden their knowledge and practical skills. The Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme has supported students travelling to Brazil, Chile and Colombia to study this subject. 

    In operation since 2013, the Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme has already provided support for around 3,050 New Zealanders studying abroad, covering their travel, meals, accommodation, studies, technical visits, and journeys in different regions.  

    In 2022, Brazil was the most popular Latin-American country among group scholarship recipients, receiving visits from three groups. Brazil was also the first country to welcome New Zealand students from the program following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

    12 members of the Agronomy and Business Faculty of Lincoln University travelled to São Paulo in November last year. Over the course of five weeks, they visited and studied at three Brazilian universities, visiting farms and production centres in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná and Santa Catarina states. 

    According to Dr. Hugh Bigsby of Lincoln University, who coordinated the groups of students, their visits were organised so they could learn about the countries and their cultures through their food. 

    “Our programmes are called ‘agribusiness summer schools’ and the aim is to try to understand the local economy, over a period of five weeks, through processes involved in food production and the textile industry, for example,” Hugh said. 

    “In each country, we introduce the students to farms, sales chains and supermarkets. At the end of the program, they are required to present a business idea that can contribute to the commercial relations between New Zealand and each country visited, supporting exports and imports,” explained Hugh. 

    Amongst the places visited in Brazil were the Higher Education School of Agriculture of the University of São Paulo, in Piracicaba; the Faculty of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Paraná, in Curitiba; and the experimental farms operated by the Federal University of Viçosa. 

    “The partnerships with the local universities of each country are fundamental to the success of our program, since each of them provides us with the local economic context, demonstrates technological advances that are underway, and explains the specific features of the local producers,” Hugh said. 

    At the same time, a group of 10 students, from the School of Agriculture and Development at Massey University, were in Chile to pursue their studies of agribusiness techniques. The students explored several regions across the country, visiting the Austral University of Chile, the Catholic University of Valparaiso, and Magallanes University in Punta Arenas.  

    In addition to the universities, the students went to the Santiago Botanic Gardens, dairy cattle farms, vineyards, avocado plantations, and food cooperatives.   

    Massey University students at Universidad Austral de Chile, in Chile.

    Massey University Professor Ignacio López, accompanied students on their visit. He said the trip was an incredible experience.  

    “The students were impressed with how the farmers are capable of sustainably farming foods in extremely harsh conditions” Ignacio said.  

    Lincoln University students at Universidad de La Salle, in Colombia.

    A group of 20 students from the Agronomy and Business Faculty of Lincoln University travelled to Bogotá, Colombia, in January to study agribusiness. They were in the country for four weeks, studying at the La Salle University, located in the Colombian capital, and at Manizales University. 

    The students learnt about the wide range of agribusiness activities conducted in the country and in the Mercosur region, including detailed studies of Colombian coffee production techniques, which are considered a benchmark across the world.   

    The students from the three groups all returned home having recognised the creativity and experience of the Latin-American agricultural producers.  

    “For our students, the trip opened their minds to new possibilities and different ways of working with agriculture,” said Ignácio Lopez.  

    “They also realised that what they had experimented with can, indeed, be adjusted and applied in New Zealand” he said. 

  • Reminder about ENZ’s Market webinar for Schools: Monday 24 July

    As shared in last month’s E-News, schools are invited to hear from Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao in-market specialists in Japan, China, Korea, Viet Nam and Thailand on Monday 24 July from 2pm to 4pm (NZT). The team will provide updates on the latest market information, trends and advice. There will also be time for questions. This is good timing for those travelling to events from August to October. 

    Please email mary.camp@enz.govt.nz to request the meeting details. This will be held via Zoom.   

    For those who cannot make this time, the webinar will be recorded. A link to the recording will be available following the seminar, by request to Mary.  

     

  • Applications and nominations for the Impact Awards are open until Sunday 23 July

    The Impact Awards celebrate young New Zealanders aged 16–30, who are making a difference for our communities, country and beyond. This includes those with NZ citizenship, permanent residence or other visa for five years or have the right to work/study in NZ and have been here for two years. 

    This year there are five different award categories - climate, enterprise, inclusion, wellbeing, and local impact categories. Applications can be made either as an individual or a group, or you can nominate someone you know.  

    The Awards are run by Inspiring Stories, a kiwi charity that believes in the power of young people to create change. More information about these awards including links to the application and nomination forms can be found here The Impact Awards — Inspiring Stories  

  • Changes to the New Zealand Traveller Declaration Process

    Travellers arriving into Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown Airports can now complete a digital declaration. Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). 

    The NZTD collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information and aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. 

    It’s free and needs to be completed for each traveller, including babies and children.

    Key information about the online declaration process:  

    • Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a declaration.
    • It is free and you can do it on the online form or the NZTD app.
    • A declaration needs to be completed for each traveller, including babies and children.
    • You can start your digital declaration at a time that suits you. The earliest time you can submit your declaration depends on whether you are travelling by air or sea.
    • Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the eGate or by a border officer.
    • There is a paper declaration form available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
    • If you are a New Zealand visa or NZeTA holder, you still need to complete an NZTD as well.

    For more information and to access the form, please visit this website: New Zealand Traveller Declaration 

  • Around the world in five

    Asia 

    China urged to “go global” as NAFSA cohort returns 

    Chinese higher education institutions are encouraged to increase their global presence, as a significant number of Chinese universities attended the NAFSA conference in 2023. Despite geopolitical tensions, some American and European universities remain open to collaboration with Chinese institutions. Chinese HEIs are urged to diversify their portfolio and actively engage in international exchanges and cooperation. 

     

    North America 

    U.S. denied more than a third of student visa applications in FY2022 

    The USA denied 35% of student visa applications in 2022, resulting in an estimated $26.4 billion economic loss. Factors contributing to the increase include high demand, lack of non-immigrant intent, and a shift in source markets, with India surpassing China as the top source country. 

     

    South America 

    Brazil: Affordability will be key to unleashing demand for study abroad 

    The Brazilian economy is recovering, and there is a strong demand for study abroad among Brazilians. However, students and their families are facing financial challenges, making affordability a key factor in attracting Brazilian students. Scholarships, agent support, and work opportunities will be crucial in attracting Brazilian students in the coming years. 

     

    Europe 

    UK: operational shift in diversify drive mapped 
     
    90% of UK universities are diversifying international student recruitment, with changes in application processes, multiple rounds of applications, and the introduction of scholarships to adapt to the global market. Pre-CAS interviews, deposit requirements, and agent quality frameworks are proposed to maintain high recruitment standards and mitigate risks. 

     

    Africa 

    Collaboration aims to help make Africa’s youth an asset 

    African universities unite under the Education Collaborative to transform higher education, focusing on shared curricula, student exchanges, and joint research. The goal is to make Africa's youth an asset, benefiting at least one million students by 2030. The initiative promotes leadership collaboration, incentivizing staff innovation, and embraces a dynamic approach to sustainability for transformative change. 

  • International photo round-up

  • Supporting international education mobility in China with Tourism NZ and Air New Zealand collaboration

    ENZ and Tourism NZ Launch the "New Zealand Study Tour Promotion Alliance" Initiative in South China 

    Tourism New Zealand and ENZ have been working closely together since 2020 to promote study tour programs for Chinese students and their families. This collaboration has had a positive impact, with a growing interest in short-term studies and family tours to New Zealand during the Chinese summer holiday period (this July and August). To further strengthen relationships with Chinese business partners, Tourism New Zealand recently launched the "New Zealand Study Tour Promotion Alliance" initiative, with support from ENZ. 

    From left to right: Sandy He – South China Manager, TNZ; Rachel Crump – NZ Consul General in Guangzhou; Grace Yao – Regional Trade Manager Greater China; Felix Ye, ENZ Guangzhou

    The purpose of the "New Zealand Study Tour Promotion Alliance" is to tap into the potential for growth in this segment post COVID-19. The initiative offers students a short-term study tour experience, providing them with a glimpse into the New Zealand educational system and lifestyle. The alliance consists of ten selected members, including key partners such as K-12 schools and educational organisations directly or indirectly associated with K-12 schools in South China. These members include two provincial-level international education associations representing the public and international school sectors, an international school networking platform, and seven Chinese international/private schools. All ten members of the alliance have either sent students to Aotearoa New Zealand or have committed to promoting New Zealand as a study tour destination in the next three years. They will receive direct or indirect support from both Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand. 

    The official launch of the initiative took place on 21st June, with over 80 participants from the education and tourism industries invited. Rachel Crump, the New Zealand Consul-General in Guangzhou, officiated the ceremony and expressed her excitement about this cross-industry cooperation between Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand. 

    Rachel said “I have often participated in Tourism New Zealand and Education New Zealand events, but this is the first time I’ve participated in a joint event. This type of cross-industry cooperation is new and significant for both agencies.”  

    Michael Zhang, ENZ's Regional Director - Greater China, also said "As we reconnect following the three years of the pandemic, we invite Chinese students and their families, to come back to New Zealand and become an important bridge between our two countries again.”

    Felix Ye, Rachel Crump, and Grace Yao took a group photo with the members of the Alliance

    The initiative focuses on promoting a two to four-week New Zealand short-term study experience, which combines classroom study with a sightseeing holiday component. During the Chinese summer holiday, students attend one or two weeks of classroom study in a New Zealand school while their parents enjoy a holiday in the country. After the study part of the tour, families have the option to spend additional weeks in New Zealand. The initiative is expected to attract over 1,000 students plus their families to New Zealand during this July and August Chinese summer holiday period. 

    After the launch ceremony, the guests mixed and mingled, chatting and networking with each other

    ENZ and Air New Zealand to develop strategic partnership for growth of international student sector in China 

    Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and Air New Zealand have pledged to work together to develop a strategic partnership for the international student sector in China. 

    ENZ’s Felix Ye moderated the panel discussion with the Alliance members

    The initiative was launched with the signing of a Statement of Intent at a special ceremony in Shanghai which was witnessed by Minister of Tourism, Hon Peeni Henare in Shanghai on 30 June during the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China. 

    Both parties will seek to take advantage of existing cooperation and provide a framework for further potential areas to be developed. 

    These could include joint promotional and marketing efforts in China, as well as supporting student mobility from New Zealand-China partnerships, joint programmes, and institution to institution co-operation. 

     

    ENZ’s Chief Executive Grant McPherson and Air New Zealand’s General Manager – Asia Jonathan Zhang, sign a Statement of Intent at a special ceremony in Shanghai on 30 June during the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China.

     

  • From the CE: Keeping the focus on NZ

    Kia ora koutou, 

    It’s July and in New Zealand the middle of winter. Halfway through the year it’s a good time to reflect on how far we have come in a rapid six months. My first reflection is that it is great to have international students back in our communities, lecture theatres and classrooms. Since the borders reopened, we’ve seen good volumes of student visa applications, and those applications are reflected in steady growth in enrolments. While some parts of sector are doing better than others, the big picture is that learners are considering and choosing New Zealand as the place to come for a quality international education.  

    Having travelled to India, the US and Canada, and most recently China, alongside sector representatives, we should not underestimate how important this awareness and preference is. International education is hugely competitive. Competitors like Singapore and Ireland are not sitting still and we, collectively, need to keep New Zealand in front of the high-value students we want to attract. 

    In my opinion, the Prime Minister’s visit to China did just that. Education was a significant part of the itinerary and its importance as part of the bilateral relationship was mentioned in almost every engagement with the Government of China. The Prime Minister delivered an address at Peking University, and he had the opportunity to meet with alumni in a more informal environment. We also saw excellent coverage of the visit in key China media. China is an important partner market for New Zealand, and this was a very successful visit. A word of thanks to everyone involved in its organisation, the sector members of the delegation who travelled and everyone who participated. I know it was a mammoth task. 

    Another reflection I have is how pleasing it is to see young New Zealanders getting out into the world again as Prime Minister’s scholars. Reciprocity, as I am reminded when I am in market, is an important part of international education. Around 171 New Zealanders from 14 groups will travel to Asia and Latin America over the next year as part of the most recent Group round and the second round of individual scholarships will open next week. 

    As we look to what lies ahead, the theme of next month’s NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE KI TUA, Te Ara Ki Tua The pathway forward, will provide an immediate opportunity to focus on our future. Thanks in advance to the sector leaders who are speaking or running workshops in what looks to be a compelling programme at our 30th conference. KI TUA is our annual opportunity to get together as one and to listen, learn, discuss and importantly, network. Globally, we are a small participant and to build on the good start of the past six months we must continue to move forward together. I encourage you to attend and I look forward to meeting and talking with many of you in a few weeks. 

    Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, Ki te kapuia e kore e whati  

    Alone we can be broken. Standing together, we are invincible

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Grant McPherson

  • New Zealand education in focus during Prime Minister’s trip to China

    Education elements featured strongly in the Prime Minister’s Trade Delegation to China helping raise the visibility of New Zealand as an education destination for Chinese students.

    To launch the trip, the delegation joined the Prime Minister at a Showcasing New Zealand event held at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing to promote New Zealand as a travel and study destination. ENZ invited key media, influencers, and Chinese and New Zealand students to interact with the Prime Minister. This sparked significant local news coverage, amongst leading Chinese state media, setting the tone for the visit and highlighting the significance of international student exchanges between New Zealand and China. New Chinese media outlets also were seen covering New Zealand education as a topic for the first time.

    Group photo at Showcasing New Zealand event! (It was a kiwi bbq)

    The Prime Minister also gave an address at Peking University to students, media, and the New Zealand delegation. To read the full speech, please visit the Beehive website.

    Peking University is host to the New Zealand Centre. Established in 2007 as a collaborative project between Peking University and the University of Auckland, the New Zealand Centre at Peking University has grown to represent all eight of New Zealand’s universities and enable high-level engagement across a range of departments and faculties. During the visit to the University on 28 June, the Prime Minister, with Hao Ping, Chair of Peking University Council and Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University, the Ambassadors of New Zealand and China, and representatives of the New Zealand Centre launched the Rewi Alley Professorship.

    There were also other several significant developments in our bilateral education links with China that were achieved while there. These included:

    • Signing of the Arrangement on Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications in Higher Education between the Ministries of Education witnessed by Prime Minister Rt Hon Chris Hipkins and Premier Li.

    • Signing of a Strategic Partnership between Education New Zealand and Air New Zealand to support international education mobility and joint promotion in China. To read more, please visit the article on ENZ Collaboration with NZ Inc Agencies in China.

    • The education delegation meeting with the Vice-Minister of Education Chen Jie (responsible for international cooperation) and China Ministry of Education officials. The meeting underscored the importance of a strong government-to-government relationship and provided a chance to showcase the education sectors present within the New Zealand delegation and discuss areas of existing and potential cooperation.

    • A Sustainability Roundtable with a focus on education involving the education sector delegation and Chinese education partners.

    It was a busy, challenging, insightful and ultimately very rewarding week. The education delegates also shared their own feedback. John van der Zwan, Executive Director Schools International Education Business Association reflected that the mission to China was hugely valuable and a chance to get high level insights into working with Chinese officials and agents following the pandemic.

    “The mission was also a special opportunity to engage with the Prime Minister and other government officials on the role and importance of international education for our school sector,” he said.

    Executive Director of English New Zealand, Kim Renner, noticed the shift in how New Zealand is profiled in China compared to many years ago and echoed the response from other delegates that the visit was valuable for the representatives of the education sectors. 

    “China is a development market for most of our members, so it was a great opportunity for English language to be part of this important delegation, particularly the meetings with the Vice Minister of Education and JJL Overseas Education Agency.”

    “While seeing the country is a key part of study travel, we know that inbound students also want an immersive experience focused on people, cultural exchange and making connections. This was certainly showcased during the visit and was received very positively by all those we engaged with”,  added.

    ENZ would like to offer its sincere thanks and congratulation to everyone who was involved in the preparation and planning for the visit and gives special recognition to the education sector representatives on the Prime Minister Trade Delegation.  

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