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Attracting PhD students to New Zealand
The PhD page highlights the initiatives that have given New Zealand an international marketing advantage in attracting PhD students from around the world.
The page promotes the five key benefits of studying for a PhD here. International PhD students:
1. pay the same fees as domestic students
2. can enrol their children as domestic students in our state schools
3. can work full-time
4. are able to apply for a 12-month post-study work visa after graduating
5. entitle their partners to apply for an open work visa.
Students can check out the page to find out how our PhD programmes are structured, discover the career benefits of studying for a PhD in New Zealand, read case studies from current international students and learn how to apply – there are links to the PhD areas of each university’s website.
Vietnamese student Tan Duc Do, for instance, decided to study undertake a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Auckland because of the inspiring teaching of his supervisor.
“Most of the lecturers here are working mathematicians, so they can give insight and inspiration into the subject,” says Tan.
For Jeffery Garae, a student from Vanuatu, the major attraction of studying Cyber Security in New Zealand was that international PhD students pay the same fees as local students.
“I was looking at doing a Masters here and when I read about the PhD fees I thought, ‘Whoa – that’s an even better advantage,’” says Jeffery.
The new PhD page also shines a spotlight on the academic and research performance of New Zealand universities, and on the wide range of subjects available for doctoral research.
Meet the Dream NEW scholarship winners
The initiative was launched in December 2015 by Prime Minister John Key as part of the FTA campaigning in Europe. The scholarship offers EU students one study abroad semester in New Zealand (valued at $12,500 NZD) - sending one student to each of New Zealand’s eight universities.
We received nearly 400 applications from across 21 EU countries, with the majority of students applying from Germany. Candidates were selected based on a combination of their fantastic academic results as well as creative motivational essays or videos.
The winners begin their New Zealand adventure in February 2017, and as official ‘Kiwi Ambassadors’ will keep us updated throughout their time in New Zealand.
Here the eight winners share with us the moment they heard the news, as well as what they are most looking forward to.
Patrick Rebacz (from Germany, going to Massey University)
“I have never been to New Zealand, so I am very curious about the culture, the landscape, the education system and the food. I am looking forward to meeting new people, getting lots of new ideas, being part of a great educational infrastructure and exploring the amazing landscapes. It will be an inspiring and rewarding experience.”
Veronika Rudolf (from Germany, going to University of Waikato)
"When I received the call about the Dream NEW Scholarship I couldn't believe it! Even after telling my family and friends, and starting the preparations, it still feels like a dream. I'm looking forward to my papers about Māori culture at the University of Waikato - I can't wait to start my journey and experience a whole new part of the world."
Lisa Kullander (from Sweden, going to Lincoln University)
“I was so excited when I found out that I won that I wanted to jump and scream with joy. It has given me the opportunity to fulfil my dream to study in New Zealand. There are so many things that I am looking forward to, like exploring the amazing nature. But as a landscape architecture student, what makes me most excited is all the knowledge and inspiration this opportunity will provide me with.”
Marvin Stüde (from Germany, going to University of Auckland)
“I am most excited to explore the beautiful country and to attend interesting courses about topics which are not taught at my home university. I have no doubt that I will have a great time during my study abroad!”
Read his essay submission here.
Laura Schnelle (from Germany, going to University of Canterbury)
"I am looking forward to living in Christchurch, exploring the great outdoors and learning new things about health education and motivational psychology!"
Read her essay entry here.
Simone Grilli (from Italy, going to Auckland University of Technology)
“I am definitely ready for this new adventure and know it will be one of the most important of my life. My mind is focused on the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, the unique culture and the All Blacks - the best rugby team in the World!”
Anna Czerwinska (from Poland, going to Victoria University of Wellington)
“I only shared the news with my best friend, my boyfriend and my sister – telling them that it could not be true, it was a dream. During the first week I didn’t tell anyone else about it - I still can't believe that it really happened!”
Watch her video entry here.
Svenja Niederkrome (from Germany going to University of Otago)
“I can’t put into words how happy I was when I found out that I’m one of the lucky recipients! For me, New Zealand is a little paradise at the other side of the world and I can’t wait to spend a whole term studying in such a unique place!”
Watch her video entry here.
Auckland Agency Group progresses student well-being initiatives
AAG Chair Isabel Evans, Director of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Auckland, says more than 60 per cent of international students currently study in Auckland.
“The AAG group was established to build cross-agency government leadership in the Auckland region,” she says.
“We also wanted to ensure that agencies on the ground in Auckland are collaborating effectively.”
Education members of the AAG include the MOE, Education New Zealand (ENZ), New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Tertiary Education Commission. Other government agencies include New Zealand Police, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Social Development and Office of Ethnic Communities, Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards and the Human Rights Commission. Auckland economic growth agency ATEED also plays an important role.
Ms Evans said the AAG was involved in stakeholder engagement in August which contributed to a draft International Student Wellbeing Strategy.
“From this engagement, we identified a number of action areas. Since then, group members have been working on ways to improve the overall international student experience in Auckland, with the potential to roll these out nationally if successful.”
Below are some of the initiatives underway.
- ATEED and NZ Police are working on a refresh of a safety video for international students. While it will be filmed in Auckland, its messaging will apply to students nationally, and should be available from early 2017.
- ATEED is developing an International Student Experience programme in partnership with ENZ and industry partners.
- Several agencies are looking at ways to improve the information available to international students and their families. Students are seeking more information on such topics as the true cost of living, insurance and what it covers, employment rights, health services and New Zealand culture.
- Agencies are also looking at ways to provide more volunteer and internship opportunities for international students. ATEED and MBIE will also launch phase two of their job-ready graduate programme working with ICT grads specifically.
- Several agencies are looking at ways to better support international parents, particularly those accompanying children who are studying at primary school here. These parents can be isolated and lonely. This support can also extend to the homestay parents who host international students.
“These initiatives are a start, and the AAG members are enthusiastically collaborating to make sure that opportunities to enhance the international student experience are progressed,” says Ms Evans.
She says the AAG’s work is aimed to enhance the service that international students receive from their education provider, rather than replacing it.
For further information, please contact ENZ Acting Director, Student Experience, Sahinde Pala at Sahinde.pala@enz.govt.nz.
Ceremony honours Korea-NZ school programme success
More than 500 guests attended the three-hour ceremony including proud family members.
The scholarship programme is a result of the Korea New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (KNZFTA) signed in December 2015. The 150 students were selected from a number of Korean rural schools by EPIS (the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and placed in New Zealand schools by SIEBA (Schools International Education Business Association).
For eight weeks in July to August, the students studied with their Kiwi counterparts at rural and semi-rural schools throughout the Waikato, Canterbury and Nelson/Marlborough regions.
Richard Kyle presenting in Seoul

ENZ Business Development Manager Richard Kyle, who worked closely on the programme, travelled to Seoul to present the students with certificates. He did the honours along with Chul-soo Park, the President of EPIS.
During the trip, Richard met with EPIS officials to conduct an evaluation of the 2016 programme and plan for the 2017 trip.
EPIS shared a survey that showed a 96 per cent satisfaction rate from the Korean students, validating the strength of New Zealand schools, the warmth of our homestay families, and the welcoming nature of our communities.
“With such high satisfaction from the Korean students, we’re not likely to make any substantive changes to how the programme is delivered,” said Richard.
“However, some tweaks can be made to ensure that next year’s satisfaction rate is even higher!”
A video created by EPIS showing the students’ experiences can be viewed here [Korean-language].
A booklet of the students' reports on their trip (with English translations) can be downloaded here.
Earthquake communications - 1
ENZ Auckland and Christchurch are open for business today. Senior Wellington staff are working remotely as ENZ’s office building undergoes building safety inspection. All Wellington staff have been told the office is closed today.
The earthquake was not centred near areas of high population density, and initial reports suggest damage has been superficial rather than serious or widespread.
We have received no indications of injury to any international student.
New Zealand’s national senior secondary school NCEA examinations are currently underway. Some schools have cancelled today's examinations because of the requirement for building safety inspections. In these cases, an emergency derived grade process is available to reduce any disadvantage to students. See NZQA’s website for more information.
We will provide updates as soon as they are available.
Earthquake update - 2
ENZ’s Auckland and Christchurch offices were open as usual on Monday. ENZ’s Wellington office has been assessed as structurally sound, and will reopen on Tuesday, 15 November (NZT) from 10am. It will be business as usual on Wednesday.
While some schools in affected areas were closed today as a safety precaution, we have received no indications of injury (including to any international student).
Fortunately, the earthquake was not centred near areas of high population density, mainly focused on a small area in the north of the South Island around Kaikoura. Reports confirm that most damage has been relatively isolated rather than widespread.
All schools and education providers in affected areas have checked or are checking their buildings as a safety precaution. For international students about to travel to New Zealand, we encourage you to make direct contact with your education provider for an update on its circumstances. You might also monitor the Ministry of Education's website for updates.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has confirmed that NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams will proceed tomorrow (Tuesday 15 November 2016) as planned.
Please note in particular that all functions and services in Christchurch and Canterbury, and Auckland, are unaffected and operating as normal, and overseas visitors shouldn't have to change any plans to travel there.
Earthquake update - 3
International gateway cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown are all open and welcoming visitors. Regional airports are also operating meaning visitors can continue to fly between destinations.
Most services and functions are operating as normal other than in a relatively isolated area around Kaikoura. Kaikoura is a small community approximately 2 ½ hours’ drive north of Christchurch in the South Island. Kaikoura is currently inaccessible by road.
ENZ is open for business in all offices across New Zealand.
Wellington’s central business district reopened for business today, with some buildings that sustained damage in the earthquakes remaining closed. Bad weather has also resulted in some road closures and minor disruption to public transport.
There have been no reports of any injuries to staff or students at schools, private providers or universities.
It is expected that most schools are now open as normal. NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams have resumed in secondary schools.
ENZ has received reports that the great majority (around 90 per cent) of tertiary campuses around New Zealand are open.
We encourage international students about to travel to New Zealand to make direct contact with your education provider for an update on its circumstances. You might also monitor the Ministry of Education's website for updates.
Asia comes to Marsden School
With funding from the Asia New Zealand Foundation, Marsden Head of Humanities, Fiona Crawford, organised a full day of activities for students, with the aim to increase their cultural awareness and educate them on a region with increasing ties to New Zealand.
"We want our students to thrive and contribute towards putting New Zealand on the map, so it is our responsibility to equip them for their future relationships with Asia," Crawford said.
Marsden students dressed up for Experience Asia Day.

The day included a range of activities and sessions that represented 11 Asian countries, starting off with a Tai Chi session in the gym, and ending with an inter-house KPop (Korean Pop) dance competition. In between, students broke into groups to take part in Judo, Kung Fu and Bollywood dance classes, sushi, dumpling and curry making, language learning and haiku writing, as well as origami, henna painting, sari dressing, lantern making, calligraphy, kite making – and much more.
“The students really enjoyed themselves, but also gained valuable insights into the many Asian cultures on show. Many commented on how fun it was, and hope to do it again next year,” Crawford said.
Amanda Cundy, a former Marsden student who went on the school’s first exchange to China back in 2010, stopped by Asia Day to share her experience with students. She spoke about the impact that Chinese studies had on her life, and the importance of understanding other cultures in an increasingly globalised world.
Marsden students tried their hand at sushi making, Diwali art and calligraphy.
International students are work-ready for the summer
The seminar was hosted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA), and targeted international students who have completed, or are studying towards, a Level 7 qualification and above.
Most of the attendees were Massey University PhD and Masters students from a range of fields, as well as UCOL students of graphic design, cookery, operations and project management, ICT, furniture design and science.
Judy Bennett-Smith, CEDA International Education Development Manager said the free seminar was the first in a series to be held locally, with the next one aiming to connect potential employers with skilled international tertiary students.
The seminar covered study-to-work visa pathway information and advice, tips on how to navigate the job market, how to present oneself to employers, information about New Zealand employment rights and even invited a former international student to share their experience.
Philip Hastings, Relationship Manager at MBIE said the seminar was a great opportunity for students to talk directly with INZ representative about their work options.
“With the increase in international tertiary students in New Zealand, it is important they have an understanding of the pathways to meeting post-study work visa and residency requirements,” Mr Hastings said.
“Together with CEDA we aim to facilitate a series of study-to-work seminars in the Central North Island that are aligned with regional work shortages.”
Work begins on plan to grow offshore delivery
Education New Zealand is developing an international delivery plan to provide a clear and comprehensive rationale for New Zealand's involvement in the international delivery of education and training. Its findings will be integrated with the International Education Strategy, currently underway.
ENZ Industry Development Manager Adele Bryant said the plan will be comprehensive.
“It will identify and prioritise opportunities, approaches and models that will be competitive and build the best long-term value proposition for New Zealand,” Bryant said.
The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (OBHE), in partnership with the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate) have been selected by ENZ to develop the plan.
OBHE is a higher education think tank with a unique remit focussed on ‘borderless’ education. Richard Garrett, Director of OBHE will lead a team of 8-9 based in the USA, UK, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. Some of the team members will be well-known to the New Zealand education sector including Stephen Connelly, Director of GlobalEd Services in Australia and Kyla Steenhart, Director of i-Graduate in New Zealand.
The views of interested education providers will be sought over the next three months. The plan is due to be published in May 2017.