What We Do
ISMNZ is committed to the welfare and pastoral care of international students who have come to Aotearoa New Zealand. We follow the Māori health model of Te Whare Tapa Whā, the four pillars in caring for the hauora (entire well-being and health) of individuals: Taha tinana (physical health), Taha wairua (spiritual health), Taha whānau (family health), and Taha hinengaro (mental health).
Most of the international students we care for come to New Zealand to complete their tertiary education, in Private Tertiary Institutes, Polytechs or Universities. For many of them, New Zealand is the first foreign country that they have step foot in. They leave their family and friends on their own, without knowing anyone in New Zealand, oftentimes without having a full picture of the country.
Our ISMNZ staff workers and volunteers come from diverse nationalities and cultures, and provide that home away from home for students during this critical period of their lives. This crucial as most come from cultures with a strong emphasis on family and community life.
What is International Student Ministries of New Zealand?
Physical Health
Taha Tinana
We care for students by providing them warm meals, either on campus or at home, potluck meals, hosting international cooking classes, and hiking and camping trips.
Through this we facilitate the sharing of different cultures as well as physical provisions.
Family or Social Health
Taha Whānau
Our staff workers and volunteers come from diverse cultures and are able to provide culture specific support and a community students can find their sense of belonging in.
Spiritual Health
Taha Wairua
Many of our volunteers are chaplains who can provide counsel, advice and mentoring.
We present Biblical perspectives to students in a non-threatening way, which staff workers and volunteers model through their lives. At the same time we remind them to value the homeland they came from.
Mental Health
Taha Hinengaro
We support students in their post graduation transition, CV editing, and proofreading thesis papers.
We treat students with respect and compassion, and see each one as an individual with dignity and self-worth.
Our Context
International students and migrants come to New Zealand - the world is at our doorstep.
Our Vision
International students and migrants become lifelong followers of Jesus and a transformative influence in their workplaces, families, communities, and societies.
Our Mission
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Serve International students to aid success in their study and post-study experience.
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Embody the love and welcome of Jesus, assist students holistically and provide opportunities for them to personally encounter Jesus.
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Equip Jesus-followers with biblical knowledgeto become disciple-makers who share their faith with others.
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Encourage, resource and empower people to work effectively with international students and migrants.
Our Values
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Christ centred. We emphasise knowing and growing in our relationship with God, the authority and guidance of the Bible, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Love for all people. We value the richness and uniqueness of each international student and migrant.
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Discipleship: focused, in-depth, and long term. Our desire is to see international students and migrants become life-long followers of Jesus the Christ.
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Partnerships. For example, we are connected nationally and internationally to volunteers, churches, and campus ministries; we seek to inspire and equip churches for ministry to international students. We also partner with educational institutions, government and professional bodies, advocating for studentswhen required and helping them make connections for their next stage in life.
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Serve the whole person. ISMNZ is dedicated to the spiritual and practical needs of each international student, including supporting post-graduation transitions, as well as the needs of their families.
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Flexible and adaptable. Whether full-time workers, part-time workers, volunteers, chaplains or interns, together, we choose the most suitable and effective practices to serve international students. We continually adapt our practices to best serve students, graduates and migrants.
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A passion for international students. We are a movement of people who sense a strong passion from God to serve international students, graduates and migrants.
We hold a set of core beliefs that form the foundation of our ministry
We Believe:
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That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
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In one God, the Creator, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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That Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and that He was and remains true God and true man.
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That God created Adam and Eve in the divine image; that they sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that, as a result of Adam’s sin, all human beings are now born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God.
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That the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.
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In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven, and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate.
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In the blessed hope of the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
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That all who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
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That the Holy Spirit indwells and gives spiritual life to all believers, enables them to understand biblical truth, empowers them for godly living and equips them for service and witness.
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In the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost.