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.

Level of compliance	Main audience	Other
Inform	Exchange Programme Organisations	Parents, Caregivers and Whānau Principals and Tumuaki Boards

Level of compliance

Main audience

Other

Inform

Exchange Programme Organisations

Parents, Caregivers and Whānau
Principals and Tumuaki
Boards

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

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.

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.

Secondary schools exchanges

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.

Last reviewed: 12 February 2021 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback

Exchange Programme Organisations (EPOs)

About EPOs

List of approved EPOs and contact details

AFS Intercultural Programs

New Zealand Institute of International Understanding

NZ-German Student Exchange

Rotary Youth Exchange New Zealand website

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange

Student Exchange Australia New Zealand

STS Education NZ

Study International Service New Zealand

Your Education High School Exchanges

Youth For Understanding

Applying to be an approved EPO

Establishing an EPO

Further information