14 March 2024 at 10:30 am
New Zealand welcomes its international students in 2024!
From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South, schools, universities, English language schools, private training establishments and polytechnics have been giving a warm haere mai (welcome) to their new international students. Take a look at a collection of images shared by various institutions as they provide so much manaakitanga to their new students, welcoming them on campus and to the new academic year.
Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT’s) Student Ambassadors play a big part in welcoming AUT’s international students each year. The group are a rich mix of international and domestic students and host AUT's Orientation event. Photo supplied by Steven Park photography.
New international students arriving at Orientation for International Students Day. Auckland University of Technology. Photo supplied by Steven Park photography.
Cultural performances are a staple of the AUT Orientation experience for international students, providing students with an introduction to the rich Pacific cultures found in Auckland. Pictured here are the Anuanua Dance Troupe performing traditional dance from the Cook Islands. Photo supplied by Steven Park photography.
Students at University of Otago International Welcome & Expo. From L to R: Nana Matsubara, Kavya Mokal and Gabriella Keng. Photo supplied by Sophia Taing, International Office, University of Otago.
International students are welcomed to the University of Otago in Dunedin with a kapa haka performance. Photo supplied by Dave Bull, University of Otago.
Tele Tamati, Nathan Collinson and Stella Yan at the University of Otago International Food Festival. Photo supplied by Sophia Taing, International Office, University of Otago.
Franciele, Roberta, Carlos, Ana Clara, and Gabriela (clockwise from left) are all international students from Brazil and are pictured here on their first day at school at Central Southland College in Winton. Their first day coincided with the school’s ‘Big House Competition’, a day of fun, dress-up, competition, and a great way for these international students to start their international student experience in New Zealand.
International students from Brazil are seen here settling into their new classroom surroundings at Waitaki Girls School in Oamaru.
Auckland Grammar School took new international students on a walking tour and visit to the Auckland Museum as part of their Term 1 2024 orientation programme. The orientation was run by the International Department staff with the support of international student leaders. Source: Auckland Grammar School.
The orientation programme for international students at Botany Downs Secondary College in Auckland included a visit to their local beach to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Photo credit: Botany Downs Secondary College.
The orientation programme for international students at Botany Downs Secondary College in Auckland included a visit to their local beach to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Photo credit: Botany Downs Secondary College.
Students and teachers from Whakarongo Primary School in Palmerston North welcoming international students from Camford Royal School in China with a traditional Māori pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), including waiata (songs) and a hongi (a greeting involving the pressing of noses).
Students and teachers from Whakarongo Primary School in Palmerston North welcoming international students from Camford Royal School in China with a traditional Māori pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), including waiata (songs) and a hongi (a greeting involving the pressing of noses).
Brazilian international students Ana Julia and Ana Beatriz are welcomed to South Otago High School in Balclutha by Principal Mr Wright and Deputy Principal and Dean of International Students, Mr Douglas.
Whanganui Girls’ College and Cullinane College joined forces and did a joint orientation for their international students around Whanganui in collaboration with Weir Tours. The tour included vists to Durie Hill Tower, Kai Iwi Beach (pictured), Lake Westmere, Virginia Lake and finished with a bbq at Bason Botanic Reserve with the students host families attending too.
International students from Whanganui Girls’ and Cullinane Colleges had the opportunity to see the sights of Whanganui and orientate themselves to their new surroundings thanks to Weir Tours who generously sponsored a bus and driver, Jimmy Elliot, for the day.
Students from Osaka Gakugei High School in Japan are attending Waimea College in Nelson. They are pictured here with their education agent, Louis Williams.
Chalisa Pathamapongsar from Thailand received a warm welcome at Nelson Airport by her homestay family, the Goulters and Waimea College’s Homestay Co-Ordinator Tori Puklowski (far right).
KeriKeri High School in Northland welcomed their international students with a powhiri, traditional Māori welcome, and are pictured here at the school’s marae (meeting house) with their new classmates.
These lucky international students at Kerikeri High School had the opportunity to embark on a cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock as part of their 2024 orientation programme.
KeriKeri High School’s orientation programme for their new international students also included a stop off for a sim and a walk on Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands.
Wintec’s International Orientation sessions have been taking place over the last few weeks in Hamilton. These full-day and fun-filled events, run by the International Student Support team and brilliantly supported by student volunteers, provide a valuable foundation for our new learners to Aotearoa.
Student volunteers have been key to the success of Wintec’s International Orientation sessions – Back row left to right: Padma Siju, Xiaolong Hu (Shawn), Zhonh Shi (Nova) and Cecelia Hackshaw, with International Student Services Advisor Unmesha Veetil. Front row, left to right: Frederick Kinyua Kiremu, Afna Amijith with Lili Zhu, International Student Services Advisor.
As well as plenty of social and fun events, Ara Institute in Christchurch holds information sessions for new students, provided by key stakeholders, including the Police.
Macleans College, a co-educational high school located in East Auckland, welcomes its International Students to Term One of the new academic year.
International students are welcomed to Unitec in Auckland by the International Student Support team.
Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand aims to make Wellington a welcome second home for their international students. To help their new students settle in, the school organises a Cultural Walking Tour, led by Wharewaka o Pōneke Tours. This immersive experience provides a dive into Māori culture, offering the students a meaningful connection to the land and New Zealand’s indigenous heritage. Here the students are seen enjoying the tradition of the Māori Hangi meal at Karaka Café on Wellington’s waterfront.
Hillmorton School in Christchurch welcomed their new international students by taking them to Living Springs, Allandale as part of their orientation programme. The students are pictured here by Lyttelton Harbour.
What better way to get to know one another than through team-building exercises, part of Hillmorton School’s orientation for its new international students. The students needed to work together to problem solve and, in this activity, they had to stack the tyres from biggest to smallest on one pole, moving only one tyre at a time.
The University of Waikato formally welcomed their international students during a powhiri on their beautiful marae, Ko Te Tangata. The name of the wharenui is carried over from the University of Waikato’s motto and means ‘For the People'. Photo credit: Lance Chapman.
International students take part in an orientation information session at the University of Waikato in Hamilton. Photo credit: Lance Chapman.
Kenakena School held a powhiri for students, families and staff who are new to the school in 2024. Also included in the powhiri, were a group of 18 short-term international students from South Korea and China, who had joined the school this term. Parents, teachers, and agency directors from Korea, who were accompanying the students were part of the manuhiri (guests) group at the powhiri.
Kenakena school’s kapa haka group welcomes its new students.
Another happy group of IPU New Zealand students from their January intake, enjoying the Orientation campus tour and stopping by at the communal Senior Common Room.
A visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a key part of NorthTec’s orientation for its international students each year. Students are introduced to New Zealand’s history and learn why this location, where Te Tiriti (New Zealand’s founding document) was signed in 1840, is of cultural, historical and political significance. Pictured here are a group of international students from India admiring the view from the beautiful Waitangi grounds in the Bay of Islands.
Wellington High School international students visited Oriental Bay on ‘a can’t beat Wellington on a good day’ day as part of their 3-day orientation programme. This day of the programme included a walking tour of the city, visiting Mount Victoria Lookout and finishing at Oriental Bay for a picnic lunch and ice cream. Pictured here are Rica Reinen and Elfi Flachenecker from Germany.
ABC College of English welcome their new starters with a visit to Queenstown Bay, the main beach in beautiful Queenstown. Photo credit: Duncan Sadleir.
The United Nations of English Learners are welcomed to the Worldwide School of English in Auckland.
Auckland English Academy students from the Songlish Club and their teacher and club coordinator Kristyn Rutherford.
Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) welcomes its new international students to the AIS St Helens Campus.
International students in Early Childhood Education at ICL Education Group in Auckland are pictured here learning about the Tivaevae research methodology.
NZMA’s Health and Wellbeing L4 students pictured here at their Manukau campus.
The NTA English Academy in Christchurch have welcomed their new learners for the start of 2024.
Mads Nielsen, Yoobee Wellington Campus Manager, welcomes international students to Yoobee.
A group of a Japanese students from Kokugakuin Kugayama were welcomed to Palmerston North Girls' High School recently. Pictured is Whaea Suzie Walting, Deputy Principal, bringing the students on to the school grounds as part of a traditional Māori pōwhiri (welcome ceremony). Photo credit: Palmerston North Girls High School.
Teachers and students from Palmerston North Girls High School welcome students from Kokugakuin Kugayama in Japan. Photo credit: Palmerston North Girls High School.
