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International Students
International Student Pastoral Care
The International Student Support Service provides help and support for all Tai Poutini Polytechnic international students. We are able to provide a free, friendly and confidential service to you. When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand, it is important that those students are well informed, safe, and properly cared for.
AccommodationWe can assist you with finding accommodation in Auckland and Christchurch.
If you are requiring a Homestay Placement, Homestay families are carefully screened for their friendliness and cultural sensitivity.
OrientationWhen you arrive it is important to for us to give you an introduction to New Zealand Culture, Laws, Road Code and discuss ways to help you adjust to your new surroundings.
If you are studying at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, a campus induction can be done at the beginning of your programme during orientation, this includes advice on New Zealand culture, immigration matters, and insurance, health and community organisations. We can liaise on your behalf with advocacy issues; assist you with accommodation and other living situations.
CounsellingYour welfare and making sure you get all the information and support you need is our main concern. Student Services is available for you to discuss any problems or queries you may have.
Visa ApplicationsWe can help you with advice and assistance to apply for or extend your Visa if required. Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service.
InsuranceWe can provide you with advice and assistance to organise insurance for your stay. Insurance Packs are sent with your acceptance letter which detail coverage and cost.
Health InsuranceMost students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand unless they are: - A resident or citizen of Australia; or
- A national of the United Kingdom in New Zealand; or
- The holder of a temporary permit that is valid for two years or more.
If you do not belong to one of the groups listed above and you receive medical treatment during your visit, you will be liable for the full costs of that treatment. It is compulsory for all international students studying in New Zealand to have insurance that will cover the cost of medical treatment for the duration of your stay in New Zealand.
The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students
Tai Poutini Polytechnic is a signatory to The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. While studying with us, the Student Services Officer can advise you on the Code of Practice that governs your time of study here in New Zealand.
A pamphlet of the "Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students" (the Code), is available at Student Services and the Code is also available online from www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.
What is the Code?The Code is a document that provides a framework for service delivery by educational providers and their agents to international students. The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of educational providers with respect to international students. The Code applies to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic standards.
Who does the Code apply to? The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with international students enrolled. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them.
What do I do if something goes wrong? If you have concerns about your treatment by your education provider or by an agent of the provider, the first thing you must do is contact the Director, the international student director, or another person who has been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your institution. At MAINZ, this is the International Student Co-ordinator. The Code requires all institutions to have fair and equitable internal grievance procedures for students and you need to go through these internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.
If your concerns are not resolved by the internal grievance procedures, you can contact the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA).
What is the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA)? The IEAA is an independent body established to deal with complaints from international students about pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their education provider or the provider's agents. The IEAA enforces the standards in the Code of Practice.
How can I contact the IEAA? You can write to the IEAA at:
International Education Appeal Authority
C/- Ministry of Education
Private Bag 92644
Symonds Street
Auckland 1150
NEW ZEALAND
Fax: (09) 632 9456
Phone: (09) 632 9513
Email: info.ieaa@minedu.govt.nz
What will the IEAA do? The purpose of the IEAA is to adjudicate on complaints from international students. The IEAA will investigate complaints and determine if there has been a breach of the Code. The IEAA has the power to impose sanctions on education providers who have committed a breach of the Code that is not a serious breach. These sanctions include an order for restitution, publication of the breach, and / or requiring that remedial action be undertaken.
The IEAA will refer complaints that are not about pastoral care to another regulatory body if appropriate.
The education provider will be given a reasonable time to remedy the breach. If the breach is not remedied within that time, the IEAA may refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
The IEAA can determine if it considers that a breach of the Code is a serious breach. If the breach is a serious breach, the IEAA will refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
What can the Review Panel do? The Review Panel can remove or suspend an education provider as a signatory to the Code, meaning that the provider would be prevented from taking any more international students. Only the IEAA can refer complaints to the Review Panel.
Summary of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International StudentsThe Code sets standards for education providers to ensure that:- high professional standards are maintained,
- the recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner,
- information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date,
- students are provided with information prior to entering into any commitments,
- contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner,
- the particular needs of international students are recognised,
- international students are in safe accommodation,
- all providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of international student grievances.
Full details of what is covered can be found in the Code itself. The Code also establishes the IEAA and the Review Panel to receive and adjudicate on student complaints.
For all your international student support needs contact us first! We are here to assist you.
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