Surge in demand from international students
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury school principals are welcoming a surge in interest from international students after numbers plummeted during Covid.
Recent media reports suggest international students are returning to New Zealand faster than expected after the Covid-19 restrictions.
International students dropped to zero in North Canterbury during Covid.
But Simon Green, an advocate for principals and boards of trustees throughout Otago and Canterbury, said demand is strong from overseas schools and students wanting to come to the region.
He predicted schools could be back to pre-Covid levels next year.
Pre-Covid, the international education sector contributed around $3.9 billion to New Zealand’s economy, according to Education New Zealand, making it the fifth largest export.
Primary schools are entering the international student market, with Swannanoa and Te Matauru (Rangiora) Schools among those taking overseas students.
Green said having international students provides cultural learning opportunities, as well as being a financial windfall for schools.
‘‘It allows schools to provide those extra things which can enrich the curriculum and help fund infrastructure and property.’’
Green works as a leadership adviser with Evaluation Associates, supporting principals and boards.
He is also the Rangiora High School board of trustees presiding member.
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said he is pleased to see international students back at the school.
‘‘We are still down on our pre-Covid numbers, but the market has bounced back quite a bit.’’
Kaiapoi High School suspended its international programme after Covid hit, before employing a new international director around six months ago.
‘‘We wanted to take some time to build some pastoral and administrative practices before hitting the ground running this year,’’ principal Jason Reid said.
But the demand has far exceeded expectations, prompting the school to increase its staffing levels to support the international students.
Students from Japan and Brazil are studying at the school this year, while connections are being made with schools in China.
Two groups of overseas principals and teachers have also visited the school last week.
An external provider has sponsored a Chinese teacher to offer Mandarin lessons for students and the wider community, while a group of 16 Kaiapoi students will visit China on a cultural exchange.
Rangiora New Life School hosted a group of 20 German students last week led by former principal Brian Seatter.
Principal Stephen Walters said it was the fifth visit from Germany, but the first in four years due to Covid.
‘‘We’ve bounced back really well. We’ve got a few students for a full year, but mainly they’re coming for short stays.
‘‘Last year we had more than 30 international students, but never more than half a dozen at a time and we are seeing that trend continue.’’
The school was able to retain its international director during Covid, which made it easier to relaunch its international programme.
Strong relationships have been established with Japan, China and Europe, with the international director visiting Thailand this year.
Walters said international exchanges are an opportunity for his students to learn about different cultures, as well as the financial benefits to the school and the wider community.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Older residents call for Amberley bus service
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A lack of public transport and access to healthcare were among the issues raised in recent a survey of older residents in the Hurunui district.
The Hurunui District Council surveyed residents aged over 60 during August and September, as it looks to develop an age-friendly community plan to support an ageing population.
There are currently no public bus services in Hurunui, which includes the town of Amberley, about 40km north of Christchurch.
Community development facilitator Vanessa Nelmes said public transport is a big issue for many elderly people, while accessing medical care when needed remains a concern.
While there are a number of community vehicle trusts operating in the district, respondents felt a regular bus service from Amberley to Rangiora and/or Christchurch is needed.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black has been among those advocating for a bus service, but for now Environment Canterbury says there are no plans to offer public transport in the district.
The distance to medical care in Christchurch and the lack of a dentist were also mentioned, Nelmes said.
The survey received 213 responses from residents aged from 60 to their 90s, with half coming from residents in the south ward, which includes Amberley.
Nelmes said the survey found a majority of the respondents felt confident using computers, internet and / or smart phones.
‘‘It kind of puts that myth to bed that old people don’t like using technology.
‘‘I think we really do need to change our mindset compared to what is really happening in our community.’’
Although about 50 respondents said they were not confident using technology, showing there was still a need for providing support.
The survey also asked if people would like to improve their skills with technology and it was ‘‘evenly split’’, Nelmes said.
A concerning trend in the survey was a number of respondents who said they felt socially isolated, especially those new to the community, she said.
‘‘We had half a dozen people who replied along the lines, ‘you have to put yourself out there, but it’s how to make the first step’.’’
The survey has been analysed by the age-friendly steering group, which plans to widen its membership to include different agencies such as district nursing and is seeking a rural voice, Nelmes said.
Council staff plan to do a stocktake of services available for senior citizens in the district, before beginning work on a draft age-friendly plan.
Environment Canterbury public transport strategy and planning manager Sonia Pollard said there are no plans to extend bus services into Amberley or the wider Hurunui district.
‘‘The focus for public transport improvements is on delivery of the core routes in Christchurch and the direct services between the main urban areas in Waimakariri and Selwyn districts and Christchurch City.
‘‘Service improvements are reliant on funding through local rates and the National Land Transport Programme.’’
She said routes outside large urban areas are unlikely to meet the funding criteria in the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme.
But as part of the 2025/26 annual plan staff are considering how to best serve the rural community, including assessing new routes outside the Greater Christchurch boundary.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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44.6% 1st December
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16.7% A week before Christmas
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32.5% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
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