The Code of Practice

The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) provides a framework for education providers to ensure a high standard of care and wellbeing is maintained for international students while they live and study in New Zealand.

The Code is established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. The Act requires that a provider must be a signatory to the Code in order to enrol international students.

The Code commenced in 2002 and was last revised in 2010.

The Code is available in a number of different languages and can be downloaded from the related downloads section at the bottom of this page.

The "Important information about the Code" pamphlet provides information on the purpose of the Code and functions of relevant agencies, including the process for complaints. It is available in a number of different languages and can be downloaded from the related downloads section at the bottom of this page.

Important notice:

The definition of Group Students in the Code has been changed through a Gazette notice posted on the Department of Internal Affairs website.

The new definition, which came into effect on 2 December 2011, reads:

"two or more international students aged 10 and over, entering New Zealand together in an organised group, and enrolled at a Code signatory for 12 weeks or less".

The requirement of holding a group visa issued by Immigration New Zealand in order to be considered Group Students under the Code was introduced in 2010. This has caused unintended difficulties for providers wishing to enrol Group Students from visa waiver countries because under Immigration New Zealand policy students do not have to hold a group visa to enter New Zealand. The Minister has now agreed to remove this requirement from the Code.

To view the Gazette notice please visit the Department of Internal Affairs website.

Please contact the Code office for more information. Phone 09 632 9513 or email info.code@minedu.govt.nz