Ministry of Education

Development of Supports for International Students (Student Resources) - 2023

With borders now open and international students returning, the Ministry will fund initiatives that focus on reconnecting/building connections between international students and local communities and building back capability within providers to support international student wellbeing.
The Government launched a new International Student Wellbeing Strategy (ISWS) in 2017, which brings government agencies, providers and students together to identify and implement opportunities for strengthening wellbeing. It is designed to protect and enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming study destination, by building on the work agencies already have underway.
New Zealand has a legislative framework and strong quality assurance systems to ensure consistent high-quality education across all levels of the education system for both domestic and international students. Because international students are often young, have different cultural backgrounds and are living away from their families, communities and social networks, they have distinct pastoral care needs.
New Zealand is a world leader for international student wellbeing, introducing national pastoral care requirements for providers in 2002. The Code of Practice has since been reviewed, most recently in 2021. However, regulation of providers alone will not ensure that international students have a positive experience in New Zealand. The ISWS was developed to better address gaps and identify opportunities to strengthen student wellbeing.
This funding round will support initiatives that will support and add value to international education as international students return. As in previous years, the Ministry have set a theme - Reconnecting.
As New Zealand reconnects with the world, including through international education, the Ministry want to help reconnect:

• International students with their communities.

Note – procurement for development of resources to support providers with the Kaupapa of caring for international students is active alongside this procurement. This is advertised as MOE21482_B. Suppliers have the opportunity to respond to both tenders.

Department/Business Unit: Graduate Achievement, Vocations and Careers