Press release
9 April 2013
NZ Education Travel Links with Southern China Strengthened
Education New Zealand and China Southern Airlines have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on working together for the
benefit of students.
During the Prime Minister’s visit to Guangzhou yesterday, Education New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, and
China Southern Airlines President and Chief Executive, Tan Wangeng, signed a Statement of Intent to investigate
prospects for student-related cooperation.
“These could include such things as joint promotion and marketing efforts to encourage students and their families to
travel between Auckland and Guangzhou” said ENZ CE Grant McPherson. “Each year around 10,000 young people from Southern
China, and the city of Guangzhou in particular, fly to New Zealand to take up education opportunities in our primary,
secondary and tertiary sectors. New Zealand is highly regarded in China as offering top-quality education in a safe and
friendly environment”.
The Statement of Intent formalises a relationship between Education New Zealand and China Southern Airlines, the world’s
sixth largest airline. This month China Southern celebrates two years of direct Guangzhou – Auckland flights.
ends