On 'New Zealand Student Life', we begin with the real migrant journeys. From the jitters of pre-departure to finding your footing in the Kiwi landscape, join Buddhika Daluwatte as he shares the authentic stories of migrant students navigating life and education in New Zealand.
But learning never stops. We also dive into the big conversations: from vocational training and upskilling for new careers to the impact of AI and emerging tech on our job market.
Whether you're a parent, a lifelong learner, or a professional, this is your essential guide to understanding the future of education in Aotearoa.
On 'New Zealand Student Life', we begin with the real migrant journeys. From the jitters of pre-departure to finding your footing in the Kiwi landscape, join Buddhika Daluwatte as he shares the authentic stories of migrant students navigating life a
5 Apr 2026
Episode 19 - Buddhika
Buddhika is interviewd by Delena for a meet the Programme Maker special
22 Mar 2026
Episode 18 - Rules are Rules - Civic Education and Common Sense
Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay of the Nelson police joins Buddhika..
This episode provides a clear, no-nonsense look at the legal journey for both rangatahi and adults. We break down the process from the moment a situation escalates to the reality of facing charges, navigating court, and understanding remand.
More importantly, it pulls back the curtain on the true consequences of the justice system. We discuss the reality that Youth Justice residences are still forms of custody, and explain how serious offenses can lead young people into the adult system—including youth units within prisons.
8 Mar 2026
Episode 17 - At 18 You Think You Know Everything, But Reality Says Otherwise
What is it really like to be a teenager trying to build a future in a new country?
In this episode of New Zealand Student Life, we speak with Thisath Nethmira, a young Sri Lankan student who has spent the past two years adapting to life in New Zealand after his
father moved to study at NMIT.
This conversation explores the reality many young people face but rarely talk about: finishing school without a clear path, navigating uncertainty, and learning how experience shapes decisions in ways theory never can.
22 Feb 2026
Episode 16 - The Wealth Mirage: Challenge for the Future
We sit down with Chelsea Routhan, the newly appointed CEO of the Top of the South Community Foundation (TSCF). Moving beyond the basics of grant-making, we explore the structural shift TSCF is leading in the region from transactional charity to "High-Impact Distribution." Chelsea draws on her background with Big Brothers Big Sisters to explain how the Foundation acts as a "governance academy" for local non-profits and how intergenerational inequality creates future challenges to the region and how it impacts non-profit and social services
8 Feb 2026
Episode 15 - How to give smarter - the science of modern social work
In this 15th episode of New Zealand Student Life, host Buddhika Daluwatte interviews Chelsea Routhan, the CEO of the Top of the South Community Foundation (TSCF). The episode explores the "financial engine" supporting the Nelson, Tasman and the Marlborough regions, and how strategic investment creates long-term social impact
25 Jan 2026
Episode 14 - Status Update - Pil Z
Revisit Seung Hwa - New Update. Interviews, Rejections and New Zealand Workplaces
11 Jan 2026
Episode 13 - Designing for an AI Future
The episode will explore technology's transformative impact on children during this transition, questioning whether educational reforms and technology are currently in an experimental phase.
What can we expect as education adapts to these evolving challenges?
28 Dec 2025
Episode 12 - Navigating NCEA
NAVIGATING Are we genuinely creating a new framework, or just applying technology to old issues?
Tune in to Aotearoa: New Zealand Student Life for a vital kōrero that goes beyond the classroom. We're joined by Amy Johnson, Founder of Boost Your Learning, a dedicated mother and expert in one-on-one student support.
We conduct a high-level discussion, questioning whether current educational policies and technological adoption are in an "experimental phase." Amy tackles the toughest question: what is the irreplaceable value proposition of human tutoring in an AI-augmented world?
Discover the challenges faced by diverse students—including rural, Pacific, and neurodivergent communities—during this transition. Find out what the irreplaceable human skills are that students need to develop to thrive and remain a vital part of the Future of Work.
14 Dec 2025
Episode 11 - Christmas Edition
We discuss with Philip Wilson how cultivating a spiritual and moral life translates into real-world success. Is inner peace a distraction... or the ultimate professional advantage? Religion, beliefs and Education
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