Taking the Wintec experience global

Each year, more than 3,000 international learners choose Wintec - studying either in Waikato or through one of the institute's education partners overseas. Of those choosing to learn in Waikato, 14% travel from China.

Helping many of those students take the first step are Wintec's international education agent partners.

Wintec's City Campus in Hamilton, New Zealand

These agents work alongside Education New Zealand (ENZ) to connect prospective ākonga (learners) and their whānau (families) with study opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Wintec's international education agent partners travelled to Hamilton in May to get a taste of student life on campus in New Zealand.

Last month, agents from ten leading education agencies in China visited Wintec's Hamilton campuses as part of ENZ's Manapou ki te Ao Go-to-Market Plan for China.

The visit gave agents an introduction to student life at Wintec, including experiencing Māori culture, exploring campus facilities, and connecting with academic and support staff.

Susan Ye, Wintec’s international market manager, says the visit adds to an agent’s keti (bag) of knowledge. “Being here allows them to go quickly from “information on paper” to compelling storytelling based on their own insights.

"When agents can speak from personal experience about our campuses, our people and our culture, they're better equipped to help ākonga and their whānau make informed decisions and feel confident about choosing Wintec."

Susan says that fast-growing Hamilton has plenty of lifestyle appeal for Chinese students. “That, topped with unique opportunities such as learning to introduce themselves in te reo Māori, makes for an entirely memorable experience that you won’t get anywhere else in the world.”

Priscilla Dais-Ngatai, Wintec Team Manager, gives a traditional Māori greeting to a visiting international education agent

The group embraced the opportunity to learn te reo Māori from Wintec staff, and were excited to share their learnings with others during their trip.

Working with its counterparts in China is something Wintec has been proudly doing for over two decades, building strong relationships that underpin a range of international partnerships and create pathways for ākonga to gain a globally recognised New Zealand education.