New Zealand offers one of the best education in the world as it has an enormously diverse Education system. New Zealand has a prominent eight state-funded universities, which includes 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs), which is unified into the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST). New Zealand also has around 550 Private Training Establishments (PTEs), which includes various English language schools. But currently, New Zealand is at Alert Level 1, which is the lowest amongst the four-tier alert system.  

Overview of Alert Level 1 –

• All restrictions-had been lifted from 11.59 pm on Monday, 8 June According to NZT.

• Borders will remain closed with all the mandatory isolation and quarantine as they are the first line of defense.

• People should be aware and also maintain diaries in the event of a second wave. 

Information for Students-

All kinds of information on COVID 19, for international students, will be available on  NauMai NZ, which is a New Zealand’s Education resource so as to support and help international students who are studying in New Zealand.

• All International students should sign up to the official site of NauMai NZ  so that they can receive regular follow-ups and email updates.

• All Chinese Students can follow the ENZ WeChat account.

• All the international students who need help can contact hardship information resources. This will include all the information on where to get food parcels or other essential items necessary for daily life.

Ongoing Studies during Alert Level 1-

• Under Alert Level 1, all the schools as well as early learning services are opened.

• All Tertiary students can check their organization’s onsite opening schedules and plans. Various types of onsite learning and distance learning options are organized and maintained by various organizations.

• The official source of information for the education sector in New Zealand during the covid-19 outbreak is the Ministry of Education website. It will provide all the information for education providers as well as homestay families.

• If your tertiary education provider is not able to help you with anything you can contact the tertiary Education commission on 0800 123 797.

Foreign National Program Assistance-

• On 1 July 2020, the assistance for foreign nationals impacted by the COVID-19 program is opened.

• All foreign nationals residing in New Zealand that includes all international students can apply for this help and support if they are facing any kind of temporary hardship due to the effects of pandemic-COVID-19.

Borders in New Zealand-

• Almost all the border of New Zealand is closed with few limited exceptions. Only New Zealand citizens and residents are allowed in New Zealand.

• On the official site of the immigration NZ website, all kinds of information on border closure and its exceptions are available.

Repatriation Travel for all International Students-

• International students should be assisted by their education providers. Students should be helped in all possible ways. Education providers should meet their duty of care obligations towards their students.

• On the official site of the COVID-19 website, all the information is available for international students traveling to their home countries.

Information on Extensions of Student Visas-

• New Zealand’s Government is extending visas of all temporary migrants which includes International students so as to ensure that there are some reliability and certainty for them in this critical scenario, facing challenges being in a foreign country.

• All International students with visas expiring between 2 April and 9 July 2020, will have their visas extended automatically to 25 September 2020 in New Zealand with no additional cost at all.

• All the information and Confirmation of visa extensions will have been emailed to all visa holders.

• Also, there are few conditions like if a person’s visa expires after 9 July 2020, then it will not be extended and they have to

-leave the country before the visa expires.

-Or they can apply for a new visa.

• These visa extension also implies to NZeTA holders, as they are issued with a three-month visitor visa on arrival into New Zealand. It will also be get extended to 25 September/2020.

• New Zealand has made an official web page on Immigration New Zealand, for student visa holders. it will entertain all the visa queries and the latest information on COVID-19.

• International students can also contact the Immigration Contact Centre on 0508 225 288 that is within New Zealand or +64 9 952 1679 that is outside of New Zealand.

Conditions on Short Term Visa Variation-

• Visa Variations for all International students who were employed in an essential service role will expire at 11.59 pm on 24 June on Wednesday.

• The official site of Immigration New Zealand will stop accepting all the requests for short term variations for essential services from Thursday, June 18-2020 onwards. 

• The international students who were employed in an essential health worker role on April 3- 2020, they will be able to work more than around 20 hours from the period 3 April 2020 to 3 July 2020.

Support Provided-

In New Zealand, there are many international students who are unable to leave the country before their visa is expired so they currently do not hold a valid visa. if the visa of international students is expired they can send an email outlining their circumstances or problems on the email- [email protected]. It should comprise-

• All personal details like full name, date of birth, and all Immigration details of New Zealand client number.

• A complete copy of the personal details page in their passport.

• All contact details includes your email address, phone number as well as a postal address.

• A complete explanation of your situation or circumstances.

• Also, mention what type of visa you would like such as a visitor visa or another, and also how long you believe you might be requiring the extension of your stay in New Zealand.

COVID-19 Pandemic- Wage Subsidy for International Students.

• The Government of New Zealand has announced a wage subsidy available for all to support employers as well as their employees affected by pandemic COVID-19.

• For all International students whose visa allows them to work in New Zealand and also those whose employment has been affected by pandemic COVID-19 are advised to check with their employer, whether they are actually eligible for a wage subsidy or not.

• Various link is provided by New Zealand’s government to get more details on the wage subsidy, including frequently asked questions by employees.

Hardship Fund for International Students-

• The Government of New Zealand has established around $1M of hardship fund for all international students so as to address urgent, temporary needs. for instance- temporary inability to access cash or facing challenges because of reduced part-time employment. 

Insurance and Healthcare International Students-

• All International students are eligible for free public healthcare if they have COVID-19. The official page of the Ministry of Health’s website has all the information regarding it.

• For all those people who developed symptoms of a cough, fever, shortness of breath, a sore throat, sneezing, and runny nose as well as a temporary loss of smell. They should seek immediate medical advice. The helpline dedicated to COVID-19 is 0800 358 5453.

• Also, New Zealand’s Qualifications Authority has advised international students to contact their insurance provider directly so as to get up-to-date advice on any changes to their post-COVID-19 pandemic, and also to consider all their options, and then take the course of action that is best for them.

Thus, these are all the measures taken all New Zealand’s government to ensure the safety and security of International students during the current pandemic scenario and they also made sure their Education and future do not suffer