Senior officials appreciate NZ study opportunity

Hon Mr Murray McCully Minister of Foreign Affairs with ELTSO officials

In July 2011, 14 senior government officials arrived in New Zealand from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, to study at Victoria University on the ELTSO (English Language Training for Officials), funded by the New Zealand aid programme within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Now back in their own countries, they miss New Zealand and highly value the experiences that they had here.

“The programme has been very successful with officials commenting on improvements in their oral communication, a greater understanding of NZ culture and the NZ economy, as well as opportunities to communicate with counterparts and to visit New Zealand workplaces,” said ELTSO Programme Coordinator Helen Corrigan.

They were here for two months and their study programme included English language communications skill, visits to government ministries and field trips in Hawkes Bay and Auckland. 

They were farewelled on  24 August, by Cecile Hillyer, Director of Global Bilateral Division, and Steve Dowall, Deputy Director (Asia).  They are pictured here with the Hon Mr Murray McCully Minister of Foreign Affairs and in country groups with Cecile Hillyer and Steve Dowall.