Auckland: 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and New Zealand, a period characterized by close cooperation in numerous domains, particularly education. Education has been a critical foundation in connecting the people of both nations and developing the potential of young individuals from each country. Many Thai alumni from New Zealand have found success in various professional fields. Thailand and New Zealand have consistently promoted and expanded educational cooperation through student, academic, and personnel exchange programs, alongside collaboration between educational institutions, schools, universities, and government agencies. They remain committed to creating opportunities through full New Zealand government scholarships, empowering Thai youth to access world-class education and develop their knowledge, skills, and readiness for the future.
According to Thai News Agency, one of the key collaborations in education is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, a fully-funded New Zealand government scholarship. New Zealand has increased the quota for Thai students from 4 to 39 scholarships for the period 2026-2027. This initiative provides Thai students with the opportunity to study at New Zealand institutions and develop knowledge and skills that can benefit their home country, reflecting New Zealand's commitment to expanding educational opportunities and fostering the potential of its youth.
Those interested in the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2027 can obtain information and consult with experts before anyone else at the New Zealand Education Fair on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM at Samyan Mitrtown Hall 2, 5th Floor. Registration is free at www.learnenglishnewzealand.com/nzeducationfair.
Recently, Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the Civil Service Commission of Thailand (CSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Government House in Auckland, New Zealand, to promote opportunities for Thai civil servants to study English-language courses and pursue degree programs at leading New Zealand universities. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the leaders of both countries: Mr. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand, during Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul's official visit to New Zealand from August 20-22, 2026. This reflects the strong educational cooperation and excellent relations between Thailand and New Zealand.
David Down, Chief Executive Officer of Education New Zealand, stated that this collaboration will open up new educational opportunities for Thai personnel, further enhance knowledge exchange, and build a long-term partnership between the two countries.
In the field of international education, New Zealand continues to grow, with 92,580 international students expected in 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year. Thailand has long been one of New Zealand's key education markets, consistently ranking among the top 10 countries sending students to study in New Zealand, reflecting confidence in the country's educational quality.
This success stems from New Zealand's internationally recognized strengths in the quality of its education, with eight of its universities ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide. Most recently, New Zealand was also ranked number one in the world for Employment Outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2027, reflecting its ability to develop a workforce aligned with the needs of the modern labor market.
Furthermore, New Zealand's education system is renowned for its active learning approach, which promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on experience, coupled with a safe learning environment and close support for international students. In addition, the New Zealand government announced an increase in working hours for international students during the academic term, from 20 hours to 25 hours per week, effective from 3 November 2025. This is in addition to the existing provision allowing undergraduate students to work for up to three full years*.
To celebrate 70 years of Thai-New Zealand relations, ENZ will be holding the New Zealand Education Fair 2026 on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Samyan Mitrtown Hall 2, 5th Floor. The event will feature representatives from over 70 leading educational institutions, information on scholarships worth over 2 million baht, and the announcement of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, a fully funded New Zealand government scholarship. Details will be announced at 10:30 AM.
In addition, there will be activities such as a simulated New Zealand classroom, free English language testing, educational counseling, and a special seminar with Sukwan Bulakul, offering a parent's perspective on choosing an educational path in New Zealand.