Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Belonging Matters
Mental Health Awareness Week took place between12 to 18 October 2026. This year’s theme, Belonging Matters, highlighted the importance of connection and inclusion in supporting positive mental wellbeing.
To learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week and access helpful resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of your learners, visit:
Mental Health Awareness Week (external link) (external link)
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Upcoming webinar: The Code and homestays
We will be offering 3 webinars specifically tailored to Code signatory schools on applying the Code in homestay settings. These webinars aim to support schools to better understand their Code obligations in relation to homestay arrangements.
These webinars are primarily intended for Code signatory schools and will:
- provide an overview of the Code's requirements as they relate to homestays
- share key considerations for implementing the Code’s required practices in the context of homestays and for maintaining ongoing practice
- provide an opportunity for schools to share good practice examples or raise questions for further clarity.
The webinars are suitable for homestay managers and coordinators, homestay contractors and subcontractors, and any staff responsible for overseeing the wellbeing and safety of international learner. To support quality engagement, registration numbers for this webinar will be limited.
To learn more and register for one of the upcoming webinars in October, visit:
Handbook for Homestay Practitioners
At the start of 2026, we published Homestay and the Code – Handbook for Homestay Practitioners, a practical resource to support education providers and homestay practitioners in understanding and meeting their obligations under the Code in relation to homestays.
Homestay and the Code – Handbook for Homestay Practitioners [PDF, 1001 KB]
The handbook offers clarification and guidance on key Code requirements for homestays under Outcome 18: Safety and wellbeing. It also explains key requirements on safety checks, appropriate checks, working with homestay agents, responding to concerns, and maintaining learner wellbeing and safety throughout the homestay experience.
The handbook aims to support school signatories as they deliver safe, welcoming, and supportive homestay experiences for their international learners. The resource may also help schools train new homestay coordinators and refresh existing knowledge and practices.
ISANA NZ International Learner Wellbeing forum
ISANA NZ will be hosting their International Learner Wellbeing Forum on 10 November 2026 at Auckland Grammar School. The forum will provide the opportunity for professionals working in international education to explore practical approaches for supporting at-risk international students and strengthening learner wellbeing.
Learn more or register (external link) (external link) (external link) (external link)
Reminder: Are your organisation details up to date?
We encourage schools to keep their organisation contact details up to date in the MyNZQA school portal. Please check your school’s details in the portal to ensure we have the correct contact details.