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Ara International Agent Awards 2025

18 November, 2025

Celebrating global excellence: Ara honours its international partners

Ara Institute of Canterbury has recognised the outstanding achievements of its international recruitment partners through its inaugural Ara International Agent Awards, which celebrate the people and organisations who help connect learners around the world with real-world education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Executive Director Darren Mitchell said the awards reflect the strength of Ara’s global partnerships and the shared commitment to learner success.

“Our agent partners play a vital role in helping students make the leap to study in New Zealand,” he said. “Their professionalism, care, and deep understanding of what Ara offers make a real difference, not only to student outcomes but to the reputation of Aotearoa as a world-class education destination.”

This year’s Supreme Winner is iKiwi International Education and Immigration Limited, led by Shawn Rao (Director) and Nick Wu (Manager).

Founded in Christchurch in 2021, with branch offices in Guangzhou and Wuhan, China, iKiwi provides personalised education and immigration services for international students and their families. With 10.5 EFTS (equivalent full-time students) recruited to Ara in 2025, iKiwi has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, collaboration, and understanding of Ara’s programmes and processes.

_{The iKiwi Christchurch-based team}

Ara Global Recruitment Manager Andy Ge, who works closely with iKiwi, said the recognition was well deserved.

“Shawn, Nick and their team are incredibly engaged and professional,” Ge said. “They’ve built a strong network that spans China, New Zealand, and beyond, and their students arrive at Ara well prepared and supported. It’s a pleasure working with partners who share Ara’s values and our focus on student success.”

iKiwi has recruited learners into a wide range of Ara programmes, including health programmes like the Bachelor of Nursing; engineering and construction disciplines, including the Bachelor of Engineering Technology, Diploma in Engineering and Bachelor of Construction; and also language studies, including Ara’s Certificates in English Language.

Alongside iKiwi’s top honour, Ara recognised excellence across three further categories:

Outstanding Performance Award – for exceptional recruitment outcomes and conversion rates
Excellence in Partnership Award – for collaboration, professionalism, and commitment to shared goals
Top Performing Agent for Groups Award – for success in group programme enrolments.

Darren Mitchell said the awards are one way Ara acknowledges the people behind its global network.

“These partnerships are at the heart of our international success,” he said. “Together we’re growing stronger and going further, helping learners from around the world realise their ambitions here in Aotearoa.”