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NZ Police Ethnic Services Teams supporting international students with local safety advice
Over the past twelve months, Aotearoa New Zealand has seen a welcome return of international students to our communities and our education providers.  NZ Police Ethnic Services teams around the country, including in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and at Lincoln University, have been busy engaging with international students in a variety of ways.
In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Ethnic Liaison Officers, Constable Takashi Endo and Constable Kevin Deng, have been delivering presentations to secondary and tertiary international students on a range of safety related topics - informing them and supporting them to have a successful time living and studying in their host city.
The team has seen a great response to the presentations and due to the high demand, has also developed a “Train the Trainers” programme, designed to equip education providers themselves to deliver introductory safety training to their students. The first ‘Train the Trainers' session was recently delivered by Constables Endo and Deng to staff from over 20 education providers in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The session covered a range of topics including personal safety, road safety, family harm, hate crime/incidents, alcohol/drugs and water safety.
Constable Endo said that he was encouraged to see so many school representatives at the training session and they were very interested in the topics covered, following up with many useful questions.
He also said, "This training session is not going to be a one-off, and we will also continue to visit schools and speak with international students when required. Our aim is to ensure students and school staff have a greater understanding of safety and safety issues here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.’
Following the training day, both constables will attend education provider seminars as observers to ensure staff are supported and equipped to deliver these safety sessions.
Melody Hao, International Coordinator – International Business/Student Support at Unitec Insitute of Technology, expressed the gratitude of her team to the Ethnic Services Team following their presentation at Unitec’s International Orientation Day on Wednesday 19 July.
“The session delivered by Constable Endo was well-received by the 220 people that attended. In our post-orientation survey, 97.5% of respondents said they really enjoyed or enjoyed this presentation.
"Feedback from the student audience included that the session was full of useful safety information and that it was delivered in a fun and interactive way. Thank you to the team for such a wonderful presentation and for being so supportive to our international students as they embark on their international student experience with us here in Aotearoa New Zealand," added Melody.
Another recent safety initiative was delivered by Constable Deng alongside Massey University student representative, Jun Jiang. Together they delivered a ‘safety’ livestream via Education New Zealand’s Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme in July. NauMai NZ WeChat livestreams are an important channel where experts and students themselves address a range of topics relevant to Chinese students living and studying in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Constable Deng and Massey University international student representative, Jun Jiang following the delivery of a safety focused livestream on ENZ’s WeChat mini programme platform.

Faymie Li, ENZ's Senior Advisor, Student Experience said that the safety of our students is always front of mind.
“Looking after our students and equipping them with useful information that supports them during their time with us here in Aotearoa New Zealand is really putting into practice, Manaakitanga – the Māori value of hospitality, kindness, support, respect and care for others.
"These sessions conducted by the NZ Police Ethnic Services Teams are an important tool in helping ensure our international students have a positive experience while studying with us. The livestream had 186 people tuning in and since then it has been watched over 170 times. This demonstrates that such sessions are of great value to our students,’’ said Faymie.
The recording of the livestream is hosted on the mini programme and can be accessed by scanning the QR code below.

QR code to access ENZ’s NauMai NZ WeChat mini programme

Further information on the Tāmaki Makaurau Ethnic Services Team
The team works in partnership with ENZ, local consulates, education providers, the New Zealand International Students’ Association, and other student representatives, to support the wellbeing of international students in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This partnership ensures information is shared, potential issues are anticipated and responded to where possible, and shared work initiatives delivered where appropriate.
Malaysian Social Enterprise, The Tuyang Initiative and ENZ collaborate to present the ‘Indigenous Peoples Talk Series 2023’
Through this programme, The Tuyang Initiative and Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) aim to provide a platform for indigenous subject matter experts to share their valuable insights and expert opinions. At the same time, they will address the critical issues impacting areas such as livelihood, sustainability, and cultural expressions of indigenous peoples in Malaysia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Adopting a casual online weekend chat format, not unlike the verandah chats in the longhouses in Sarawak, the series of three talks will each explore three central themes: Education & Technology, Social Entrepreneurship, and Arts & Culture. Each panel will showcase a distinguished lineup of speakers, including indigenous academics, activists, social entrepreneurs, researchers, contemporary artists, and cultural practitioners.
The programme commenced on Sunday 13 August, linking with the International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples, globally observed on Wednesday 9 August. The inaugural session was opened by Juvita Tatan Wan, co-founder of the Tuyang Initiative, and featured esteemed speakers Prof. Dato’ Dr. Bahari Belaton (University Malaysia Sabah), Dr. Welyne Jeffrey Jehom (University of Malaya), Dr. James Alin (University Malaysia Sabah), and Dr. Hazel Abraham (AUT – New Zealand) discussing the Empowerment of Indigenous Communities through education and technology. The virtual event was livestreamed on The Tuyang Initiative and New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur’s Facebook pages, the recording can be viewed here.
Speaking about the collaboration with The Tuyang Initiative, Ben Burrowes, ENZ’s Regional Director (Asia) states that the effort reflects our commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and knowledge exchange, providing a platform for indigenous voices from Malaysia and Aotearoa New Zealand to come together.
“Through these engaging panel discussions, we aim to celebrate the rich diversity of indigenous cultures, explore innovative ways to empower indigenous communities, and promote sustainable practices that ensure the preservation of their invaluable heritage. We believe that this series will contribute significantly to enhancing global awareness and appreciation for the unique contributions of indigenous peoples in shaping a more inclusive and interconnected world."

The second panel discussion on Social Entrepreneurship will be held on September 24, 2023, while the final discussion on Arts & Culture is scheduled for October 29, 2023.  You can view these here.
About The Tuyang Initiative:
The Tuyang Initiative is an accredited, community-led social enterprise working with Dayak (Borneo indigenous) communities in the inclusive development of talents, products and services in areas of cultural heritage through strategic industry partnerships. Its goals are to empower the communities in generating meaningful livelihood and driving cultural continuity. The organization is based in Miri, Sarawak (Borneo -– Malaysia).

More info www.thetuyang.com
From the CE: 12 months on from the borders reopening
Kia ora tātou,
Twelve months ago, New Zealand’s borders reopened to international students. From a standing start the international education sector has, alongside Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) and our New Zealand Inc partners in government, worked enormously hard.
The first challenge was to get New Zealand back “on the map” as a high-quality international education destination. One of our ENZ teams tells me that we were involved in a minimum of 27 events including NAFSA, ANZA, EAIE, agent and student fairs over the last 12 months. There have been at least 11 senior ministerial and sector delegations covering China, India, Viet Nam, Japan, South Korea, US, Canada, Chile, Brazil, and Thailand. This is only the tip of the iceberg of all the effort expended by New Zealand providers, with our partner agents, providers and Government agencies – offshore and onshore.
And as students started to apply for their visas and arrive in New Zealand, we cannot underestimate the amount of effort that has been required to get the infrastructure that supports the sector up and running. Reviewing applications, delivering offers of place, processing visas, finding accommodation, pastoral care; the list goes on. Lots of unseen and unheralded effort that goes on behind the scenes to ensure international students receive a high-quality experience.
Yet this is just one part of what we do. Onshore and offshore, the sector has also supported the Prime Minister’s and Manaaki Scholarships, and worked closely with ENZ to explore opportunities to innovate and make the sector more resilient.
It isn’t easy and while we all know that there is more to do on all fronts, it is worth taking a moment to acknowledge just what has been achieved together.
Turning our attention to the next 12 months, in June the ENZ Board approved our business plan for this financial year (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024). The plan has four clear priorities:
1. Grow inbound student mobility for Aotearoa New Zealand
2. Support sector capability development
3. Build global connections
4. Encourage and support innovation in the sector
Within these priorities, close to 75% of our discretionary budget is focused on the first one. This is completely aligned with Focus Area 1 of the New Zealand International Education Strategy, which is to help providers of international education to build back onshore offerings. We know there is more to do and over the next 12 months the priority is to build on the good start we have made and cement the recovery and rebuilding of the sector.
That’s not to say we aren’t investing in the other areas; we are. We will continue to build global connections. These connections go hand-in-hand with our first priority and in some countries, they are essential to achieving it.
We will also build on the lessons of the past 12 months around innovation. In the first week of August, we organised a series of events facilitated by Professor Martin Bean, a recognised leader in discussions around the future of education. His brief was to provoke and encourage discussion on what the future could look like and what it might take to get there. You can read more about his visit in our E-News story here.
And when it comes to building sector capability this week’s NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE KI TUA is an immediate opportunity to listen, learn, discuss, contribute, and network with specialists and colleagues. It will be great to be able to meet in person for the first time in close to three years and to celebrate the 30^th time that we have joined together as a sector. I look forward to meeting and talking with many of you over the next few days.
Mauri tū, mauri ora, an active soul is a healthy soul.
Ngā mihi
Grant
All Covid-19 requirements removed
Changes that take effect from Tuesday 15 August 2023
- Confirmed Covid-19 cases will no longer be legally required to self-isolate
- Masks will no longer be mandatory in any locations
This means that tertiary education providers can operate as normal, and set their own policies and procedures to ensure they meet their obligations to staff and learners, including under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
Advice for tertiary providers and students
The Ministry of Education recommends that tertiary education providers follow COVID-19 health advice, and support staff and learners to do so.
Full COVID-19 health advice can be found at: Unite against COVID-19.
The Ministry of Education will also be updating advice for tertiary providers and students on the Te Mahau COVID-19 website following this announcement.
- COVID-19 | Te Mahau
- Advice for tertiary providers & students | Te Mahau
The latest health advice on COVID-19 includes:
- Stay at home if you are feeling unwell - if you, or someone in your household develops one or more of the following symptoms, you should take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID-19: a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath.
- If you have tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended you isolate for 5 days, even if you only have mild symptoms, starting at Day 0, which is the day your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first.
- If you do need to leave your home during your 5-day isolation period, it is very important you take precautions to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others. You should wear a mask whenever you leave the house. You should not visit a healthcare facility (except to access medical care), an aged residential care facility, or have contact with anyone at risk of getting seriously unwell with COVID-19.
- If you are in isolation at the time of the setting change announcement, we recommend you continue isolating until you have completed 5 days. If you have already been isolating for 6 or 7 days, and are well, you can return to your normal activities.
- After completing 5 days isolation –
  - If your symptoms have resolved and you feel well, you can return to your normal activities.
  - If you still feel unwell, we recommend you stay home until you have recovered.
  - We recommend you wear a mask if you need to visit a healthcare facility or an aged residential care facility, or you have contact with anyone at risk of getting seriously unwell with COVID-19 up until 10 days after your symptoms started or you tested positive. This is because some people are infectious for up to 10 days.
Mask wearing remains an important way we can prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses
Free masks are available for pick up with free rapid antigen tests (RATs) from participating collection sites.
RATs will remain free for everyone throughout 2023
You can find out participating pick-up points for RATs and masks at COVID-19 Testing • Healthpoint or by calling 0800 222 478 and choosing option 1.
The Government's media release can be found here.
ENZ Chair optimistic for the future of international education sector
The New Zealand international education sector should be optimistic about its future.
This was the message the Chair of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), Tracey Bridges, delivered to members of the sector attending the New Zealand International Education Conference Ki Tua in Christchurch (New Zealand) today.
The conference is the first in-person gathering of the sector since 2019 and attracted more than 590 guests and sector representatives.
Speaking at the opening plenary session of the conference, Ms Bridges said that just as the sector had much to celebrate in the shared endeavours and achievements of the past 30 years, there was also cause for optimism looking forward.
“I’m optimistic about the future of this sector, and the contribution it can make to all the people in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and beyond.”
Ms Bridges said this optimism was underpinned by the diversity and strength of the sector that spans schools, polytechnic institutions through Te Pūkenga, universities, private training establishments (PTEs), English language schools, Education products and services, and Wanaga.
Another key strength was the industry’s ability to adapt.
“In early 2020 our world changed forever, and in the three and a half years since, we have all had to – time and time again – prove our ability to adapt. 
“I want to acknowledge the work that everyone has done in recent years, and to acknowledge the fact that you continue to adapt to meet these challenges.
“Your presence here today is testimony to your resilience and commitment to ongoing change. So I’m optimistic not because everything will now return to the old normal, but because I know that together we will find ways to forge a new approach that’s right for the time we are in: we will continue to seek our ‘pae tawhiti’(distant horizon)”.  
Ms Bridges said ENZ had also refocused and confirmed its approach for the coming 12 months by concentrating on Focus Area One of the refreshed 2022 New Zealand International Education Strategy, “helping providers of international education build back their bases through inbound student mobility growth”.
While prioritising its resources and targeting its efforts, ENZ had not lost sight of the need to build long term resilience and stability, and had a number of initiatives in this area, consistent with Focus Area Two.  This had involved hosting a visit earlier in August of Professor Martin Bean, and work through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund (CRRF) to explore the diversification of products, services and modes of delivery.
ENZ was also looking forward to working alongside Ōtautahi, Christchurch to bring the ICEF Australia New Zealand Agent Conference to Christchurch in April next year.
Ms Bridges also acknowledged the importance of leveraging diplomatic engagement and Ministerial travel to enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a partner for international education.
“The value of these initiatives is shown in the response to recent promotional trips to India, the US and Canada. More recently, education was a significant part of the Prime Minister’s visit to China where its importance as part of our bilateral relationship was mentioned in almost every major engagement.”
This had continued with the conference welcoming the People’s Republic of China as the Country of Honour, with the Minister for Education, His Excellency, Huai Jinpeng joining the conference as a keynote speaker on Friday.
A full transcript of the speech can be found here.

For further information: 
Justin Barnett | Director of Communications, Education New Zealand  
justin.barnett@enz.govt.nz 
  +64 21 875 132 
 
Notes to Editors: 
About Education New Zealand (ENZ) https://www.enz.govt.nz/  
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency responsible for taking New Zealand’s education experiences to the world. ENZ promotes a New Zealand education as one that teaches students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners, which will help them succeed in their future careers and create a positive impact on the world.  
With approximately 100 staff in 18 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector including schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Te Pūkenga (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics), universities; and internationally with NZ Inc agencies, Government agencies and education providers to encourage sustainable growth and identify opportunities.    
From the CE: A celebration of energy, optimism and human spirit
Kia ora tātou,
NZIEC TI KUA – the pathway forward, was a celebration of the energy, optimism, and the human spirit of the international education sector in New Zealand.
It was great to see, and be among, more than 590 delegates reconnecting in person, sharing experiences, discussing the future, and listening to a remarkable range of quality speakers. All the presenters were inspiring and all clearly outlined some the challenges and the opportunities as we move forward.
First among these was the visiting Minister for Education in China, His Excellency Huai Jinpeng whose warm outgoing personality was clear to all who met him. It was enormously positive that Minister Huai emphasised China’s was willing to work together with New Zealand to “promote win-win cooperation” and “to unite for mutual benefit”. I hope many of us accept his open invitation to visit China. As he said “Better to see for oneself than to hear from others”.
From the New Zealand side it was a great to have Minister for Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, attend the Gala dinner, and reinforce that “education is one of the key pillars of the New Zealand-China relationship and a foundation for enduring links between our countries”. China was the Country of Honour for this year’s conference and is an important long-term partner.
After a break of four years since the last NZIEC was held in-person, the friendship and happiness amongst conference delegates was tangible.
Certainly, there are challenges ahead as we continue to rebuild the sector. Several of the conference presenters highlighted the changes in global demographics, workplace demand for skills and technological developments as key drivers for a different future in the next 30 years. But the progress achieved in the year since the borders reopened was also cause for celebration and highlighted the adaptability and resilience of education providers throughout the sector.
I’d like to thank officials from the Ministry of Education, New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Immigration New Zealand who attended the conference and gave insights and answering queries relating to the impact of policies and practice. International education is a team sport and it was great to see their commitment to the future of the sector. And a very special thanks must also go to the ENZ organising team and supporting cast who delivered a remarkable and uplifting event.
As the curtain came down at the outstanding Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, and delegates said final farewells before returning to their homes and communities, my lasting impression was that of an industry re-enlivened by the human contact we have all missed so much.
As our Chair, Tracey Bridges commented in her opening welcome, we have good cause to be optimistic about the future of the sector and the contribution it can make to all the people of Aotearoa and beyond.
It is now our responsibility to act on this optimism and to move forward. As Peter Drucker once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it”.
Ngā mihi,
Grant
NZIEC KI TUA 2023 photo feature
Inaugural Chief Executive Grant McPherson moving on after 12 years of service
Grant has been in the role since ENZ’s inception nearly 12 years ago, leading the organisation’s development and growth to what it is today.
“Over the course of his leadership, we saw significant growth of the international education sector that saw it become New Zealand’s fourth-largest export earner pre-Covid.
“ENZ launched the “Think New” brand and received several international and local awards recognising achievements in public relations and marketing (including digital). We have been entrusted by our NZ Inc. partners with initiatives such as the Manaaki scholarships.
“Alongside the highs, Grant also led the efforts to help the sector manage the challenges brought on by the pandemic. He chaired the International Education Chief Executives' Group. Together with peers from other government agencies with interests in international education, the group helped to drive the Government's International Education Recovery Plan.
“If the New Zealand International Education Conference KI TUA in August 2023 was anything to go by, the international education sector is in good heart and energised to rebuild.
“I appreciated Grant’s support as I took on the Chair role earlier this year. The Board and I thank him sincerely for his service and wish him well,” Tracey said.
Grant says he is proud of the incredible work ENZ and the international education sector have been doing to take New Zealand education to the world, particularly how we have navigated the complex environment post the pandemic.
“It’s fantastic to see what ENZ and the international education sector have achieved in such a short span of time. It has been an amazing adventure made possible by the great people of this organisation and this sector, thank you,” he said.
Grant will finish his role in mid-November and Dr Linda Sissons has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive while ENZ undertakes the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive.
Thank you to NZIEC KI TUA Partners
The conference was attended by 599 delegates and saw 42 sessions delivered over two days by 85 speakers, including expert panellists.
Thanks again to our NZIEC KI TUA 2023 Partners; our Country of Honour: People’s Republic of China, CSCSE, Streamliner, Student Safe, Flywire, idpconnect, IELTS, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Kiwiflora Nurseries, Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Orbit Protect, Host Families, Christchurch Foundation and the Tui Corridor Project, University of Canterbury, University of Canterbury International College, Lincoln University and The University of Auckland.
Being the first in-person conference since 2019, connection was more important than ever and our NZIEC KI TUA 2023 exhibition hall was renamed The Experience Garden where delegates could do just that – engage, connect, and experience.
Delegates who visited the team at the Country of Honour’s Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) table, were able to have their name written in Chinese calligraphy and learn more about studying in China.
Locally made ice cream was provided by Southern Cross Travel Insurance, barista-made coffee from Student Safe and a special tea café was brought to delegates by idpconnect and IELTS.
Delegates also had the opportunity to experience a virtual reality journey with Yoobee College of Creative Innovation.

Thanks to the Kiwiflora Nurseries massage relaxation corner, delegates also got a chance to rest with a neck and shoulder massage and relax in their cosy and tranquil waiting area. Kiwiflora Nurseries partnered with NZIEC KI TUA and the Christchurch Foundation and the Tui Corridor Project to help us in our commitment to sustainability; for every delegate registration, a native tree was planted, fostering a greener future for generations to come.
The Host Families photography headshots activation was a hit with over 80 photos taken by the photographer.
The Orbit Protect Better Health Quiz provided delegates with a little downtime and a fun competition as they went head-to-head in earning points for prizes.
And last but not least, much appreciation goes to our partner Flywire as the Education New Zealand Manapou ki ta Ao Tamaki Makaurau Auckland office now has a new piece of artwork based on the theme of ‘How collaboration will shape the future of global education’ for their wall.
Thanks to all our 2023 partners in making this year’s conference a great one!
Check out the photo highlights reel from NZIEC KI TUA here.
We look forward to having you join us at Tākina in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on 6-8 August 2024.
Thai interest in New Zealand as an offshore study destination is growing
The annual Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Bangkok Fair took place on Saturday 26 August with 1,630 attendees visiting throughout the course of the day, a record number for the Fair.
Those who attended had the opportunity to talk to more than 50 education providers that were representing Aotearoa New Zealand education across the school, vocational, English language, and university sectors.
Ben McNally Burn, ENZ’s International Market Manager for Southeast Asia & India added that it was fantastic to see Thai interest in considering Aotearoa New Zealand as an offshore study destination growing.
“Having record numbers attend our Bangkok Fair this year demonstrates how important and reputable these fairs have become for prospective parents and students wanting to access reliable information directly from New Zealand education institutions.
“For our education partners, these events are so important for maintaining in-market credibility and reputation and we cannot underestimate the importance of keeping New Zealand front of mind. Especially in amongst accelerated competitor activities in Thailand including seminars and fairs hosted by Education USA, the Canadian Embassy, Austrade, and the British Council”, said Ben.

Ms. Kirsty Bundell, Assistant Director of Mathematics and Statistics at Avondale High School conducted five simulated classrooms to showcase hands-on New Zealand teaching and learning styles. Featured here is a class on Geometry - ‘SURFACE AREA OF 3D SHAPES’.

Feedback from the sector representatives was overwhelmingly positive, noting that not only was there a fantastic turn out of attendees but that prospective students had clearly researched Aotearoa New Zealand and its educational offerings prior to coming, which led to engaging discussions.
Anne Henwood, Director of International Students at Rosehill College in Auckland said that she was thrilled by the exceptional experience at the 2023 Bangkok Fair.
“The events proved to be an invaluable opportunity for New Zealand schools, fostering connections and opening doors to agents, parents and students seeking quality education. The events brilliantly showcased the diverse educational opportunities for Thai students in New Zealand.”
Garry Chronican, Director Pathway, University of Otago | Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo also said that it was a pleasure to attend such a well-run and valuable event.
“The standard of advertising, communication, organisation and overall experience was outstanding. The events were well supported by education agencies – a testament to the excellent relationship ENZ staff have with local stakeholders”.

“Why study in New Zealand” special seminar held by key opinion leaders Choak and Suquan Bulakul. Their son is currently studying in New Zealand.

ENZ also delivered an agent seminar in Bangkok on 25 August, just prior to the Education Fair. The Bangkok Agent Seminar offered an opportunity for NZ institutions to reconnect with high performing Thai education agents. This event included market updates, networking opportunities, along with 1-to-1 meetings throughout the day.  
Following the ENZ agent seminars and fair, the ENZ team partnered with local schools and agents to take part in three separate mini fairs and school roadshows across Thailand including in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Chonburi.
Any institutions looking to be involved in other ENZ organised fairs and events in the future in any of our markets, can do so by visiting ENZ’s events page here.