Sustainability initiatives part of NZIEC KI TUA success

Wellington hosted the New Zealand International Education Conference KI TUA (NZIEC KI TUA) for the first time in six years. Organised by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), almost 450 delegates attended the event.

NZIEC KI TUA brings together practitioners and leaders from across the international education sector. It provides an opportunity to connect, share good practice, and explore strategies for future growth and development.

NZIEC KI TUA made a commitment to the Climate Action Network International Education (CANIE) Accord and became a 2024 signatory. The CANIE Accord is an international forum that aims to strengthen and accelerate the international education sector’s commitment to climate action.

General Manager of Sector Services Sahinde Pala says, “By becoming a signatory to the CANIE Accord, we joined a global industry initiative to commit to responsible stewardship of the planet.”

Conference organisers aimed to minimise the event’s impact on the environment. Attendees were encouraged to adopt behaviours to reduce their environmental impact. This included using personal drink bottles, keep cups, digital business cards, and sharing airport transfers. Partners were discouraged from using brochures and plastic collateral. Delegates could access the programme via the conference app. Native trees were planted for every attendee. This contributed to the regeneration of native ecosystems and promoted major habitat restoration with mana whenua .

Holding the conference at Tākina aligned with NZIEC KI TUA’s climate goals. The venue has many sustainability features and waste management systems. Sahinde Pala says NZIEC KI TUA is committed to sustainability. “We are serious about taking action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and are proud to be part of a global network of international educators working toward that goal.”