During a recent visit to Invercargill, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) CEO and international managers as they advance plans to rebuild SIT’s international student numbers.

Mr Luxon met members of SIT management during the National Party dinner held at the Langlands Hotel on the 12th of February.

SIT CEO, Bharat Guha, newly appointed International Manager, Riza Ambadar, and International Marketing Manager, Michelle Zhao, attended the networking event alongside other local business and community leaders.

Mr Ambadar said it was encouraging to meet the Prime Minister, who is supportive of SIT.

“[The Prime Minister] understands the economy benefits from international students and he sees the importance of SIT’s autonomy being returned; he commended Penny (Simmonds) on her ability to make that happen.”

Pre-covid (2019), SIT had nearly 1700 international students across its campuses.

SIT gained its autonomy from Te Pukenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) on January 1st, 2026, allowing it to return to local, autonomous decision-making for international student programmes and numbers.

Their current strategy includes having a greater presence in Asia, South Asia, China, Korea and Japan, with a goal of achieving 400 more students by the end of 2026.

Minister for Vocational Education and MP for Invercargill, Penny Simmonds, who hosted/also attended the meet-and-greet event, says “International students bring diversity and benefit to our vocational institutions like SIT.”

“Attracting international students to SIT is critical to help prepare local students for a global workplace and to ensure that the Southland community and industries have access to sufficient skilled graduates. I commend SIT for their vision to increase their international student numbers.”

Mr Ambadar added “With the Prime Minister and Minister Simmonds support of SIT’s autonomy, we have confidence in moving forward to promote SIT in the international market.”