Exchange Programme Organisations (EPOs)
Exchange Programme Organisations (EPOs) are independent organisations approved by the Government to operate secondary school student exchange programmes in New Zealand. Learn more about EPOs.
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See which EPOs have been approved to operate and the process that must be followed if you want to apply to establish a new EPO.
- About EPOs
- List of approved EPOs and contact details
- Applying to be an approved EPO
- Establishing an EPO
- Further information
About EPOs
Each EPO organisation is a little different, and they offer different lengths, types and destinations for their exchange programmes.
All organisations must provide pastoral care and support to their exchange students and report regularly to the Ministry of Education.
EPO students don’t have to attend a school that's a Code of Practice signatory.
List of approved EPOs and contact details
These following organisations are approved to offer secondary school student exchanges in New Zealand. If you're a student interested in going on an exchange you'll need to contact the organisation directly.
AFS Intercultural Programs
AFS New Zealand website(external link)
Email: info-newzealand@afs.org
New Zealand Institute of International Understanding
New Zealand Institute of International Understanding website(external link)
Email: info@nziiu.co.nz
NZ-German Student Exchange
Email: nzfrgexchange@gmail.com
Rotary Youth Exchange New Zealand website
Rotary Youth Exchange New Zealand website(external link)
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange website(external link)
Email: info@sccenz.com
Student Exchange Australia New Zealand
Student Exchange Australia New Zealand website(external link)
Email: info@studentexchange.org.nz
STS Education NZ
STS Education NZ website(external link)
Email: highschool@sts-education.co.nz
Study International Service New Zealand
Study International Service New Zealand website(external link)
Email: studyinternationalservice@gmail.com
Your Education High School Exchanges
Your Education High School Exchanges website(external link)
Email: info@youreducation.co.nz
Youth For Understanding
Youth For Understanding website(external link)
Email: info@yfu.co.nz
Applying to be an approved EPO
Read the application guidance in the following application form before making an application. Send your application to the address on the application form.
We'll assess the application on all criteria in the application form, and consult with other government agencies as appropriate, for example, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Immigration New Zealand. We may contact you for further clarification or supporting documentation.
We'll advise you of the outcome of your application in writing.
Exchange Programme Organisation application form [DOCX, 107 KB]
Establishing an EPO
Anyone interested in establishing an EPO should read the:
- guidance information in the EPO application form to understand our expectations of EPOs
- information on our Secondary school exchanges webpage.
We also strongly encourage you to research both the international education and exchange sector and the communities you'll be placing inbound students into or recruiting outbound students from, so you can best target your exchange offerings.
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