13 February, 2023

New Zealand – Japan education relationship panel and networking session

ENZ and the North Asia Centre of Asia Pacific Excellence (CAPE) co-hosted an the event at the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington on 9 February, which brought around 60 attendees together for a panel and networking session highlighting the successes and challenges of cross-cultural digital education initiatives between New Zealand and Japan. New Zealand Ambassador to Japan H.E. Hamish Cooper, Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand H.E. Koichi Ito, and North Asia CAPE director Charlie Gao provided welcome remarks.

The event was attended by representatives from Wellington region schools and universities, peak bodies including the Schools International Education Business Association (SIEBA), and government agencies that work with Japan, including Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. The event highlighted the vital role education has played in the Japan-New Zealand relationship over the last 70 years, including the importance and benefits of New Zealand and Japanese students engaging with one another during the pandemic.

Led by moderator Laura Bunting from North Asia CAPE, panellists included Misa Kitaoka ENZ, Alex Bullot from Young Enterprise who spoke about secondary-school programme BizVenture Japan, and Teri Teei from Learn English Live who spoke about how digital language exchange can broaden access and positively transform students’ lives.