Canterbury international student awards

Celebrating international students: 2026 award nominations now open

The Waitaha Canterbury International Student Awards are now open for nominations to international students across all education providers in the region.

The Awards create an opportunity to celebrate the diverse and exceptional contributions made by international students who enrich our local communities and make the city a better place.

How international students contribute to the Christchurch economy

Christchurch embraces and warmly welcomes the diversity international students bring. As a globally connected city and with a close-knit community, it offers international students the chance to create a true home away from home, enjoy life beyond their studies and gain a world-class education and become ambassadors for New Zealand and our region. 

Bringing a wealth of social benefits to Christchurch, including bridging cultural gaps and different global perspectives into classrooms, international students are also an important contributor to the national economy.  According to Stats NZ data, international education-related exports climbed to $4.52 billion for the year ending September 2025, up from $3.6 billion in the year ending December 2024. 

In 2025 Canterbury welcomed 9180 international student enrolments, a number that has continued to rise year on year since 2021. This supports over 4000 jobs in the region across schools and tertiary providers.   

Award Categories

The following three categories will each recognise three awardees, one from Schools, one from English Language Providers, Private Tertiary Establishments and Ara Institute of Canterbury, and one from our universities.

Community Engagement Award

• The Community Engagement Award honours an international student who has actively engaged with the local community through volunteer work, service projects, or other initiatives making a tangible difference.

Leader and Mentor Award

• The Leader and Mentor Award celebrates an international student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has effectively influenced positive change within their educational institution and the community.

Cultural Ambassador Award

• The Cultural Ambassador Award celebrates an international student who has actively promoted cultural exchange and understanding between diverse communities within Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Supreme Award - Mayor's International Student of the Year Award

In addition to the three awards above, the Mayor's International Student of the Year Award recognises an exceptional international student who has demonstrated outstanding achievements, leadership qualities, and a significant positive impact on Ōtautahi Christchurch and Waitaha Canterbury.

Nomination details

Nominations close 5pm on Friday, 17 July 2026. Students successfully shortlisted will be invited to attend the awards ceremony on Thursday, 30 July (1-3pm for Schools) (2.45-5pm for Tertiary) at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae.

The 2026 Waitaha Canterbury International Student Awards are proudly supported by Christchurch Educated, ChristchurchNZ, and Christchurch City Council.