What We Do

The International Education division develops policies to help ensure New Zealand education has a strong international dimension and links, and that these benefit all students, providers and the wider community.

Government has a strategy for 2007 to 2012 for international education.  This sets the direction for government's engagement in international education, and identifies priority areas for government action. It describes how New Zealand can achieve the internationalised education system we need to be fully integrated with the global economy.

The strategy goes beyond the traditional focus on hosting international students.  It provides a framework for the wide variety of international education providers, including primary, intermediate and secondary schools, universities, polytechnics, private training establishments, English language schools, and other organisations involved in intercultural learning and exchange.

To help achieve the aims of this strategy, the International Division:

• Manage a number of schemes (scholarships, innovation funding and research) to help implement those policies and support providers and students.
• Develop international relationships that support the expansion of international education opportunities, thereby contributing to New Zealand’s broader knowledge economy, trade, foreign policy and development assistance goals.