Category: Media Releases

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

MEDIA RELEASE

For external release

The 2023 NZISA National Executive was elected by the NZISA Representative Council during the Annual General Meeting held on the 5th of December 2022.

The New Zealand International Students’ Association (NZISA) is proud to announce the 2023 National Executive. The 2023 National Executive was elected by the NZISA Representative Council at the Annual General Meeting hosted online via Zoom on the 5th of December 2022. 

The Representative Council of NZISA consists of regionally elected international students’ representatives from student associations. The National Executive will begin their term on the 1st of January 2023 to represent international students at the national level.

The 2023 National Executive will be led by Vikram Selvaraj, alongside with the executive members as listed below:

• President – Vikram Selvaraj
• Vice President – Eric (Sishou) Zhou
• Secretary – Grace Amelia Zhang
• Treasurer – Steven Wijaya 
• Public Relations Officer – Geraldi Ryan
• Education Officer – Sean (Jin Xiong) Teow

The incoming NZISA Executive Committee would like to thank the outgoing National Executive, Minnie Kalo Voi, Ai Nee Looi, Ryan Sua and Kyra Shahana Butt for their outstanding contributions towards the Association and the future of international students’ well-being.

The Women’s Officer remains vacant. A by-election will be held in early 2023.

Priorities for 2023

The incoming National Executive will be lobbying on two priorities:

1. Addressing the need for a comprehensive and affordable sexual health insurance scheme for international students;
2. Re-introducing the Ministry of Education’s International Student Well-being Fund to encourage external organisations to host events, advocate specifically for the benefit of the international student community, and provide targeted support to students.

We look forward to making these priorities a reality with the collaboration and consultations with the incoming Representative Council Members, Board of Directors, government agencies, student associations and societies, and most importantly, international students in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Once again, NZISA would like to congratulate the incoming Executive and extend its gratitude to the incoming and outgoing National Executive and Representative Council Members for their commitment and contributions to the Association and the international student community.

About NZISA

NZISA is the peak international student body and advocate of all international students in New Zealand. We enhance communication and cooperation between the international student communities, the government, and the education sector in New Zealand. Stay connected with NZISA on our Facebook page @NZISA2018, Instagram account @rebuildingwithnzisa, LinkedIn page; NZISA – New Zealand International Students’ Association or visit our website at nzisa.co.nz

Media Contact

Geraldi Ryan

Public Relations Officer 

NZISA

[email protected] 

Vikram Selvaraj

President

NZISA

[email protected]

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

MEDIA RELEASE 

Blaming immigrants never gets old

“Backdoor” international students contributed 5 billion to the New Zealand Economy in 2019, yet anti-immigration stance remains entrenched in the Government.

Issued by NZISA on 12th May 2022

NZISA detest the use of the term “backdoor residency”, used by the Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister of Education, in his address on 11 May covering the reopening of the border  The Minister issued a blanket statement, stating that international students had “misused” the residency pathways made available to them through Immigration New Zealand. 

NZISA, and many international students in New Zealand, are shocked at these blanket statements that do little to promote harmony and instead suggest purposeful circumvention of New Zealand’s immigration system. Such statements promote false narratives of immigrants stealing jobs and suggest that international students are responsible for labour exploitation. NZISA President Vikram Selvaraj when questioned on the term “backdoor residency” highlights that “frankly there is no need to use such language, which unfortunately fuels the existing anti-international/anti-migrant and prejudicial attitude in the community.” 

NZISA has received several complaints from international students about these statements. Students have voiced concerns that such statements “create the impression that international students are somewhat “dishonest”” and that students “simply follow the rules” and are not to blame.  International students are more than just cash cows that bring economic value, whether they are deemed “high-value” or “low-value”.  

We believe that all peoples, including international students in New Zealand, should be treated fairly and respectfully, as their contributions not-only benefit that of the education sector here in Aotearoa, but also contribute a substantial amount towards the local economy, diversity of communities, and cultural identity of New Zealand. During the Covid-19 lockdowns the Government took little action to cater towards the needs of international students that were stuck in New Zealand and separated from their families. 

The Minister has essentially condemned hardworking foreign students to being called “backdoor residents” should they be eligible for residency in the future. It sets a dangerous precedent for the fate of incoming international students coming in August, and places a target on the back of all migrants. We remind the Minister that MBIE’s Worker Exploitation Task force found that working rights and visa rights reduce labour exploitation and increase the wellbeing of international students. 

Media Contact

Vikram Selvaraj

National President

[email protected]