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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New Zealand increases working hours for students: Here is what's changing from November 2025
New Zealand increases student work hour limit In a landmark move to reshape its global education appeal, the New Zealand government has launched the 'International Education: Going for Growth Plan,' a wide-ranging strategy aimed at doubling the education sector's economic value by 2034. The plan introduces significant reforms in international student work rights, visa policies, and student support systems positioning New Zealand as an attractive, future-ready alternative amid tightening visa rules in countries like the US and Canada. Work rights expanded A major highlight is the decision to increase in-study work hours for international students from 20 to 25 hours per week, effective November 3, 2025. This update will apply to all new student visas granted from that date, regardless of application submission time. Existing visa holders can also access the additional hours by applying for a variation of conditions or a new visa, subject to standard immigration fees. International students will continue to enjoy full-time work rights during scheduled academic breaks, provided these are stated on their visas. Additionally, in-study work rights are being extended to include students enrolled in approved one-semester Exchange or Study Abroad programmes, as well as secondary school students in Years 12 and 13. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Turn Nervous Into Natural – Book a Free Demo Today Planet Spark Book Now Undo The latter is subject to written permission from parents and school authorities. New visa requirements and pathways The government has also announced stricter compliance measures: students who change education providers or downgrade their course level will now be required to apply for a new visa, replacing the earlier option of requesting a variation. This move aims to streamline oversight and improve transparency. In a forward-looking shift, a six-month post-study work visa for vocational (sub-degree) graduates has been proposed to help bridge the transition to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway. Additionally, efforts are underway to simplify access to multi-year student visas, making longer-term study more viable. Ambitious growth targets New Zealand's ambitious International Education: Going for Growth Plan sets clear long-term targets to strengthen its position as a leading global study destination. The country aims to nearly double the economic contribution of international education and significantly boost student enrolments by 2034. Key growth metrics outlined in the plan include: Total international student enrolments: Targeted to grow from 83,400 in 2024 to 119,000 by 2034 Economic contribution: Expected to increase from NZ$3.6 billion in 2024 to NZ$7.2 billion Global ranking as a study destination: Aiming to improve from 18% to 22% in the Top 3 preference rate among global students In 2024, each international student spent an average of NZ$45,000 per year, significantly benefiting New Zealand's wider economy, especially sectors like hospitality, housing, retail, and tourism. These economic ripple effects form a key part of the government's rationale for expanding education access and support systems for international learners. Stronger student support and digital services The Going for Growth Plan also includes key investments in student welfare, including: 24/7 digital support platforms Enhanced mental health services Quality accommodation initiatives A transition to a fully digital visa processing system, ensuring faster decisions and improved communication. What comes next Looking ahead, the implementation of New Zealand's student-focused reforms will begin in phases. The 25-hour in-study work limit will officially take effect from November 3, 2025, allowing new student visa holders to work additional hours during academic terms. Meanwhile, the new visa rules requiring fresh applications for students who change their education provider or downgrade their course level are already in force. In parallel, the government is actively developing multi-year student visas and a short-duration post-study work visa for sub-degree graduates, aimed at creating smoother transitions into the workforce. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anupamaa: Bharti comforts Anupama with childhood story amid emotional turmoil
Tonight's episode of Anupamaa brought forth a series of significant developments and emotional undercurrents. Anupama, upon learning that the season's grand finale is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, was reportedly stunned. This revelation, it was noted, appeared to trigger a rush of memories related to her past. Concurrently, Rahi was observed to be engrossed in thoughts of Anupama, seemingly unable to detach from their shared history. Later in the episode, Anupama was heard confiding in Bharti, questioning what she described as the "workings of destiny." She reportedly asked, "Why does life keep leading me back to the same place?" citing how fate had previously guided her back to dance, and now, to Ahmedabad. Bharti, in an apparent effort to console her, recounted a childhood memory: her father's advice to focus on "one step at a time" rather than the summit when faced with a long flight of temple stairs. This anecdote seemed to offer Anupama some solace, as she was then seen folding her hands in prayer, reportedly seeking strength for upcoming challenges. At the Shah residence, Toshu reportedly announced his intention to sell Anupama's utensils, stating his belief that she would not be returning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Turn Nervous Into Natural – Book a Free Demo Today Planet Spark Book Now Undo Ansh and Leela confronted him on this matter. Ansh was reported to have pleaded for the preservation of her belongings. However, Toshu was heard to justify his actions, asserting that the utensils now held no value outside of their market worth. To Ansh's apparent dismay, Leela was observed to side with Toshu. Ansh, reportedly heartbroken, seemed to recognize a diminished appreciation for Anupama's presence among the household members. Back in the chawl, Anupama was heard singing a soulful tune that reportedly moved both Bharti and Preet. They subsequently praised the emotional quality of her voice. Anupama then reportedly inquired why they were still working late. Preet informed her that she was preparing for a trip to London. Bharti expressed that she would miss Preet deeply. Preet, visibly teary-eyed, remarked that Bharti was fortunate to receive Anupama's home-cooked meals daily and confessed that she anticipated feeling profoundly lonely upon her move. Bharti then reportedly added that she, too, would one day marry and depart, implying a potential future solitude for Anupama. Later, Manohar reportedly informed Anupama that his student would be visiting the following day and requested her early return home. Anupama agreed to this arrangement. Meanwhile, Rahi was observed in silent prayer, reportedly hoping to avoid another encounter with Anupama. Conversely, Prem, unable to travel to Mumbai with Rahi due to work commitments, reportedly expressed concern that destiny might once again compel Rahi to cross paths with Anupama. At the Shah house, Ansh continued to exhibit signs of deeply missing Anupama. When Prarthana noticed his sadness, she reportedly offered gentle consolation. Ansh then openly expressed his guilt and his desire to apologize to Anupama. He reportedly voiced hope for her swift return, and Prarthana reassured him that an opportunity for this would arise. Preet reportedly reacted with fury, pointing out that as tenants, their input would likely hold little sway. Anita then revealed that it was Bharti's landlord who had invited the builder. This news reportedly shook Anupama, leading her to express worry about potentially losing another "family"—her cherished chawl community. Elsewhere, Rahi and Pari reportedly visited Manohar. During their conversation, Manohar spoke fondly of Anupama, though without using her name. Rahi, expressing curiosity, conveyed interest in meeting his talented student. Manohar then asked Rahi to perform. After observing her dance, he reportedly commented that her skill was comparable to Anupama's. Soon after, both Rahi and Anupama were depicted engaged in intense dance practice. Preet encouraged Anupama to visit Manohar's home, where he was reportedly awaiting her arrival.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
It is a criminal offence for a musician not to be prolific: Raghu Dixit
Raghu Dixit in Kolkata on Saturday Raghu Dixit prefers the open-air area of the cafe we were meeting at – because the 'reverberations are too strong' inside. In the city for a gig-and-leave visit, the Mysore Se Aya man is comfortable under the cloudy Kolkata skies, sipping on his Darjeeling tea and speaking about music, his meeting with Usha Uthup in the morning, and why he doesn't own a car and still prefers to ride a scooter through Bengaluru traffic. Excerpts from the chat: A file pic of Raghu performing at a university in Kolkata An indie artiste needs 1,000 fans. If they come to all your gigs, listen to your music, buy your merch, you're sorted – rent `20k, petrol `3k, mobile bill `1.5k. How much more do you need? Throughout the chat with Calcutta Times, Raghu's down-to-earth persona shines through. He knows how to keep it real. For 25 years now, the reason why Raghu's music connects with thousands is exactly this –zero artifice. Read on… Tell us about your upcoming release… We just released Shakkar, which was a studio production, but somewhere I felt we should also record and release a live version of the same. So we hired an auditorium, created a living room set, and just played all-acoustic versions of the eight songs, just the four of us (in the band). We recorded and shot live. That should be coming out sometime in end-July or August. Post that we also want to immediately get into a session where the whole band comes together and performs Shakkar the way we do live. I feel the energy of that live album will be very different from the studio one. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Turn Nervous Into Natural – Book a Free Demo Today Planet Spark Book Now Undo That is an interesting take on videos… I feel it is a waste of time and money to produce separate music videos. Our mainstay has always been being a great live act, and even our videos should project that. These two projects, then, are the primary release plans for the year? The whole year is being chalked out for that. At the same time, the idea is to travel the world, to keep collaborating, with or without my band; the idea is to keep making new songs with new musicians, to keep releasing them. I have wasted too much time – the last album before Shakkar was in 2013. I think it's a criminal offence for a musician to not be prolific (laughs)! The idea is to churn out six albums over the next two years, let's see! Tell us about Home… Home is a project where I have travelled to meet musicians displaced by war; artistes who have lost their homes and cultural identities. The idea is to collaborate with them on the basis of two questions: one, what does home mean to them, now; and two, after having gone through that terrible crisis, why do they want to wake up and make music every day? Has their relationship with music changed? Has their purpose changed? Has yours, as a songwriter? Yes. Shakkar was written at a phase in my life when I wanted to die every day. If you listen carefully to it, you will realise it's an anti-suicide album; it saved my life, making music with John Paul (The Raghu Dixit Project guitarist and Kolkata-based musician) saved my life. So my purpose of making music changed. At least from this song, I have tried to make songs that make someone feel worthy, loved & strong. My real journey as a musician starts now. All these years, it was practice, maybe, for this moment. From (banjo legend) Bela Fleck to Rajesh Vaidya to (UK folksters) Bellowhead to (sarod stalwart) Soumik Datta — you have always thrived in collaborations. Has songwriting been primarily a collaborative process for you? Always! It'd be a shame if I claimed all my music as mine alone. All my songs are my personal stories; I am very bad with imagination. I don't think I have written a single song completely on my own, I have always stood on the shoulders of great musicians who have made me and those stories look tall and beautiful (laughs). What is your take on the future of independent music in India? I am completely against the doomsday idea of independent music; I think there will always be an audience for good, honest music, no matter the genre or language. Let's get real: as an independent artiste, you need a thousand fans. If those thousand fans come to your every gig, listen to all your music, buy all your merch, you're sorted – rent `20k, petrol `3k, mobile bill `1.5k. How much more do you need? Having a cone ice-cream on the streetside is so much better than going to a fancy ice cream parlour and eating cold ice-cream in a cold room (laughs)! Raghu Dixit with Usha Uthup at her Kolkata residence On a possible collaboration with Usha Uthup Usha ji told me, 'Darling, you must come visit me,' and when I did, she gifted me a beautiful gamcha stole,' says Raghu. Talking about collaborating with Usha Uthup, he adds 'We've locked in three songs to work on over the next few weeks. The moment I walked in, she asked her assistant to start filming. I joked, 'You're acting like Gen Z!' and she laughed, 'Raghu, I am the Gen Z in Gen Z!'' Quotes: Getting separate music videos for albums is a waste of time & money. I feel, the energy of a live album will be different I have come to realise that there's really no such thing as a perfect song. People either like it or they don't, and that's just how it is. It took me 25 years of my career to understand that I am against the doomsday idea of independent music. I think there will always be an audience for good, honest music, no matter the genre or language
