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NMIT Executive Director Olivia Hall has recently formalised these partnerships, while an additional agreement will be signed this week on behalf of NMIT by Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Gus Gilmore, as part of New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon’s Mission to China with Accompanying Delegation.
In his press release, Prime Minister Luxon said China is New Zealand’s largest source of international students and is our third-largest tourism market.
“This visit is about backing the recovery of international education and tourism and putting New Zealand front and centre as a world-class destination for travel, study, and long-term connection,” Mr Luxon says.
Olivia says NMIT's connection with China spans nearly 20 years and brings benefits to all involved.
“As the international education sector continues to rebound post-Covid, our well established relationships with China are helping to pave the way for renewed growth and collaboration,” she says. “Our partnerships with institutes in China are built on mutual trust and shared educational goals,” she says. “Together we are creating life-changing opportunities for Chinese learners to gain international qualifications and experience, while also bringing valuable cultural and economic benefits to our region. International students contribute to the vibrancy of our campuses, support local businesses, and often go on to further study or work in New Zealand."
Since first delivering programmes in China in 2006, NMIT has worked with multiple institutions in areas including Arts, Civil Engineering, Information Technology (IT), Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) and Viticulture. Today, more than 800 students are studying NMIT programmes across five campuses in Chinese partner institutes, with many completing their final year of studies in Nelson or Marlborough.
Long-running arrangements at Hunan University of Technology and Hubei Polytechnic University see combined enrolments of up to 340 students completing a Bachelor of Arts and Media in China, with successful students having the opportunity to travel to Nelson for their final year. In viticulture, NMIT partners with Ningxia University in Yinchuan City, with the opportunity for around 40 students annually to progress to Blenheim after two years in China. A new agreement with Ningxia Institute of Science and Technology is also opening doors for joint master’s degrees and collaborative research.
NMIT has renewed its relationship with Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Power, with a new joint campus planned to host up to 300 new students across three qualifications each year — an agreement to be formalised during Prime Minister Luxon’s visit.
Additional agreements include the delivery of the Bachelor of Information Technology at Guangzhou City Construction College and CGI delivery through Guangdong Polytechnic Institute.
NMIT also regularly hosts visiting teaching staff and Mandarin language tutors, further embedding cultural connection and global perspectives in the institute and wider region.
Beyond teaching, NMIT also maintains academic recognition agreements with several Chinese universities, allowing students to cross-credit their previous study and continue their education in New Zealand. These partnerships often lead to postgraduate study and work opportunities, further contributing to local economic and social vitality. Nelson Regional Development Agency Chief Executive Fiona Wilson says this announcement is wonderful news for the region.
“International students attracted to study at NMIT and visiting academics bring well understood benefits to our regional economy and community, through the partnerships, vibrancy, cultural connections and enduring relations they bring to our place, and often also through the skills they bring to local businesses” she says. “Adding to NMITs programmes and relationships, the attributes of this region are also a valuable part of our regional appeal, with three national parks in Nelson Tasman and a reputation for lifestyle appeal, good climate and relative safety and accessibility. Hopefully, in future we will also be welcoming our international learners back as they return with their family and friends with great connections to the region as visitors and in some cases to live and work!”.
Olivia agrees, saying that the partnerships between NMIT and institutes in China aren’t just about numbers,
“They’re about people, shared learning, and global connections,” Olivia says. “Each student or tutor who travels to New Zealand brings fresh energy and ideas, enriching our campus communities and our regions.”
“Our strategy is grounded in long-term, high-trust relationships that open doors for learners, staff, and our communities. It’s a privilege to continue and grow that work in partnership with our China partners.”
