Northland Welcomes 70 International Students in Waitangi Ceremony

On Wednesday Study Northland welcomed over 70 international students back to Northland with a significant and truly Kiwi ‘welcome back’ event at Waitangi.

Jo Lees, Project Manager for Study Northland says today’s event was a momentous way to celebrate a “triumphant and symbolic moment for Northland’s international education sector”, after an absence of offshore ākonga (students) for two-and-a-half years. 

Students visited Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, took part in a cultural performance and were able to participate in traditional Māori games, before a classic Kiwi lunch of fish and chips. Each student received a Study Northland certificate with a Northland ‘must-do’ list on the back, as well as a pin from Education New Zealand embellished with “Tū Ngātahi” (Stand Together).  

Lees says “we were really privileged to be able to welcome the students back in such a historically important location to Aotearoa, and everyone I spoke to really enjoyed the opportunity to learn about our culture and history.

“The return of international students is a reminder of the importance of global citizenship to our community. Our local students will once again be able to benefit from learning about other cultures in this way, and show off Northland’s unique beauty and awesome people.

“On Wednesday we also said goodbye to our 23-strong exchange group from Otani High School in Kyoto, Whangarei Girls’ High’s sister school. These bilateral ties are so important and I know their host families will really miss them.”

Study Northland, which is part of Northland Inc, is also planning a visit to the new Hundertwasser Art Centre in September as part of a program to improve international students’ experiences in Northland.