1.    Choosing Accommodation

Question:  A student wants to enrol at a New Zealand secondary school but is concerned about where he will live.

Answer: The agent needs to explain that most secondary schools offer homestay placements – the opportunity to live with a New Zealand family.  They need to explain the benefits of homestay accommodation, particularly that they will be able to learn and practise English in a family environment. 

They will need to assure the student that their chosen school will take great care to choose the best family for them, that they will be met on arrival in New Zealand and taken to their homestay family. 

They should also check if the chosen secondary school offers boarding hostel accommodation.

2.    Choosing a Tertiary Provider

Question: A student wants to study marketing in New Zealand.  She has family in Wellington. 

Answer: The Agent first needs to know the level of qualification suitable for this student – including the length of time they wish to study for. 

Through use of www.newzealandeducated.com, SINZ Handbook of Courses and Costs or other institution material they may have, the agent should be able to offer the student Wellington-based options, including:

                    Victoria University – undergraduate degree, Masters and PhD

                    Whitireia Polytechnic – diploma and undergraduate degree

They need to explain the differences between a university and ITP.

They need to also discuss English language skills for each possible programme – a Foundation Skills or English language training is likely to be required prior to a formal course in Marketing.

3.    Visa/immigration

Question: A student is considering a New Zealand education, and hopes to stay and work at the end of the course – possibly even apply for residency.  What should the agent advise?

Answer: Agents should first advise the student about Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) Study to Work Policy – online reference is www.immigration.govt.nz – refer Work, then Temporary Work, then Requirements, then Study to Work. 

The student should be aware in advance of what points their chosen New Zealand study course will obtain for a possible Expression of Interest.  They should also talk to INZ about the Skilled Migrant Visa and look at the Skills Shortages List.