38 international students from Taranaki secondary schools were warmly welcomed to Ngāmotu New Plymouth with a pōwhiri on Friday morning, marking the first Welcome Day for international secondary level students in Taranaki since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organised by hosts Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki and supported by Education New Zealand (ENZ), the Welcome Day kicked off a rich cultural exchange. As mana whenua, Ngāti Te Whiti led the pōwhiri, welcoming the international students as they embark on their educational journey in Taranaki.

“We are thrilled to welcome the new corhort of international students from all across the world and we extend our thanks to mana whenua for hosting a special pōwhiri welcome. International students make a significant contribution to our community, enriching the region with diverse thoughts, languages, and fostering cultural understanding,” says Stacey Hitchcock, Deputy CE/GM Investment at Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki.

Held at the historically significant Puke Ariki, where Hoani Eriwata, Cultural Advisor of Ngāti Te Whiti and New Plymouth Deputy Mayor Dave Bublitz welcomed manuhiri (visitors) to the region, while hosts Venture Taranaki supported the students through the proceedings.

The diverse cohort arrived in Taranaki from twelve different countries, spanning Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania, and will be spread across six Taranaki secondary schools including Spotswood College, Sacred Heart Girls College, Frances Douglas Memorial College, Green School, New Plymouth Boys High School, and New Plymouth Girls High School.

“Welcome Days are a great opportunity for the region to extend manaakitanga (hospitality) to international students who have chosen Taranaki as their destination to study. The day also provides a chance to showcase the vibrancy of the region, with a special tour of some of the best things to see and experience in Taranaki,” Sean Markham, Talent Advisor at Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki says.

The guided tour began at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, where students viewed the exhibition "Ko Te Kihikihi Taku Ingoa" by Shona Rapira Davies, a memorial honouring the sacrifice made by the children and people of Parihaka.

Students then experienced some of the region’s highlights, including Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Pukekura Park, Port Taranaki, and East End and Back Beach, where they engaged in a range of team building activities to get to know each other and the local area better.

The morning ended at Okurukuru, where students and staff sampled freshly grown Taranaki produce prepared by Chef Danger Sohnke.

Additional Information:
The Welcome Day is aimed at the secondary level international students new to the region, including 38 students from France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Marshall Islands, Singapore, Thailand, United States of America, and Vietnam.

The students have come to Taranaki for an International Education experience. The 38 students are spread across six Taranaki secondary schools including Spotswood College, Sacred Heart Girls College, Frances Douglas Memorial College, Green School, New Plymouth Boys High School, and New Plymouth Girls High School.

Prior to the pandemic, Taranaki was a second home to nearly 1,000 international students. In 2019, the mix was roughly 75% tertiary and 25% schools. In 2018, international education supported 330 jobs and contributed around $50 million to the economy in Taranaki.

The revitalisation of the International Education sector began in August 2022 when New Zealand borders reopen for offshore education. In August 2022 Taranaki welcomed 70 international students to the region.

International students bring a wealth of benefits to the region, including economic benefits, but more importantly, they help create global citizens for our domestic students by bringing cross-cultural learning into our classrooms and lecture theatres.

The Welcome Day is supported by funding from Education NZ.