The announcement from New Zealand’s education minister Chris Hipkins comes as the country is seeking to rebuild global ties after years of closed borders as a result of Covid-19. Borders are due to open fully on July 31.

“New Zealand is reconnecting with the world, and for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealanders will embark on a range of programs in Asia and Latin America,” Chris Hipkins said.

The 387 New Zealanders joining 30 groups heading overseas as part of the government-funded program will travel to Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. As part of the 21 programs to Asia, awardees will journey to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and India.

The scholarships cover travel, accommodation and study costs.

“Successful programs range from a nine-week internship and entrepreneurship program in Taiwan, to a four-week agribusiness program in Colombia and a six-week food innovation study tour in Indonesia,” Hipkins continued.

“A diverse range of New Zealanders will benefit, including a marae, non-profit organisation TupuToa, six of New Zealand’s eight universities, Te Pūkenga, and a number of private training establishments.”

Successful programs follow the thread of sustainability that New Zealand continues to place at the heart of its international education plans.

Featured courses include those focusing on the Ashaninka Iwi indigenous people in Brazil, a four-week Indigenous Rights & Histories program with Campus B in Brazil, an internship program to Japan with the Ainu people, as well as an immersive six-week indigenous exchange in Taiwan. A range of ecosystem and agribusiness programs are also included.

The news comes after the government identified Chile and Brazil as two key markets in South America where it wants to promote New Zealand as an international education destination.

Following the group applications, Hipkins also announced that individual applications for Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America will open on July 18.

“This means New Zealanders aged 18 and over from all walks of life can consider studying abroad, doing an internship or other educational experiences overseas,” he said.

“New Zealanders aged 18 and over from all walks of life can consider studying abroad”

Applications for the individual round will close on 31 August 2022.

There is an emphasis on outbound mobility and global citizenship in the government strategy for international education, as reflected in the restarting of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships earlier this year. The program had been closed during the pandemic.

Funded by the New Zealand government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, the Prime Minister’s Scholarships have supported more than 2,400 New Zealanders on life-changing learning experiences in Asia and Latin America since 2013.