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Economic valuation of international education underway
An update of the economic valuation of the international education industry is currently underway in New Zealand.
Education New Zealand is responsible for commissioning an economic valuation analysis of the international education industry. This research provides the quantitative evidence for the industry’s contribution to New Zealand.
Infometrics and National Research Bureau have been commissioned by ENZ to estimate the current size of the international education industry including expenditure by foreign students in New Zealand. The research includes surveying international students (and in some cases their guardians), via either a web-based or paper survey.
The valuation follows a similar exercise in 2012 /2013 when students were also surveyed. An interim valuation was produced in 2014 which valued the international education industry, at $2.85 billion, supporting more than 30,000 jobs.
A copy of the report and an infographic of key findings are downloadable here.
An updated economic valuation report is expected in October 2016.
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Sharing our stories about international education
As we prepare for more international students to return to New Zealand, we want to ensure these important guests feel welcome and appreciated by Kiwis. Each time students arrive on our shores, we have a moment to spotlight why international education is great for our communities and the country.
We’ve recently added some new case studies to our Skills Lab website - read more about a successful storytelling example from Hawke’s Bay here.
Many great stories come from the compelling research projects being led by international students in New Zealand. These stories align with our story framework by highlighting how international education helps to shape global citizens and solve the world’s problems.
For example, Dr Htin Lin Aung, a researcher at the University of Otago, is conducting ground-breaking research on tuberculosis (TB), the world’s second-leading infectious killer after COVID-19. Read more about this case study of a newsworthy story about a scientific breakthrough here.
Stories of international education in your organisation, school or region do not have to be serious or complicated. Often, the most intriguing news stories are of everyday people doing good in their communities.
We refer to these as “soft-news” stories, as they are underpinned by a human-interest angle. You can successfully land these stories if you make sure to include the key elements that make up a news story. You can read about how Learning Hawke’s Bay landed a positive story about international education here.
Stories can often have a strong local flavour, which is appealing for local media channels.
This case study will explain how Tauranga’s economic development agency Priority One planned three news stories within the space of a month, a strong example of how a series of stories can quickly build momentum and newsworthiness at a local level. You can read more about this case study here.
If you haven’t used Skills Lab or Brand Lab before, you can sign in through MaiENZ here.
Download Communicating the benefits of international education – a toolkit from Brand Lab.
Latest case studies on Skills Lab:
- Social Licence: Determining a link to Education New Zealand’s new social licence narrative https://skillslab.enz.govt.nz/case-studies/social-licence/
- Social Licence: Developing newsworthy stories about scientific breakthroughs https://skillslab.enz.govt.nz/case-studies/social-licence-scientific/
- Social Licence: Getting feel-good stories on the front page https://skillslab.enz.govt.nz/case-studies/social-licence-feelgood/
- Social Licence: Crafting a story that resonates at a regional level https://skillslab.enz.govt.nz/case-studies/social-licence-regional-level/
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Your chance to provide input into the new international education strategy
Education New Zealand, working with the Ministry of Education, is leading the development of a new international education strategy.
International education touches many parts of our country and many individuals, organisations and businesses. We want everybody to see themselves reflected in the new strategy and we’d like to hear from you. We’ve provided some questions to help get your thinking started.
Building sustainable growth in international education will require a diversified and innovative approach that looks to the future. Everything is on the table in this engagement and development phase.Please give us your thoughts on:
- What success in international education looks like in 2025? You might consider the social, cultural and economic values of international education, as well as outcomes and experiences.
- What you see as the three absolute priorities for international education in New Zealand?
Please email your thoughts to the ENZ strategy team at: strategy@enz.govt.nz
We won’t reply directly to your email. You will have the chance to provide feedback on the draft strategy during the online consultation period from mid-December.
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Update from Immigration New Zealand
Update for international students: In-study work hours increasing from 3 November
From 3 November 2025, eligible international students will be able to work up to 25 hours per week during the semester - an increase from the current 20-hour limit. This change applies to all new student visas granted from that date, even if the application was submitted earlier.
If international students hold a student visa with a 20-hour work limit and want to take advantage of the new 25-hour allowance, they will need to apply for a variation of conditions (VOC) or a new student visa and pay the relevant fee
They can choose to apply now for the extra five hours or if their visa allows full-time work during summer vacation then they do not require the extra five hours and may choose to wait until later to apply for a variation. Some students will choose not to apply for a variation of conditions at all, and wait until their next student visa application
The process for applying for a variation of conditions depends on which system a visa was submitted through i.e. the old system or through enhanced Immigration Online.
For more information, visit Upcoming changes to student visa work rights: Immigration New Zealand
If they’re unsure which system their visa was issued in or which form to use, they can contact us for support before applying: Contact us: Immigration New Zealand
Update for international students: Changing your education provider or lowering your level of study from 3 November 2025
If a student visa holder is planning to change education provider or lower their level of study (for example, from a degree to a diploma), they’ll need to apply for a new student visa - not just a variation of conditions.
Upcoming changes to student visa work rights: Immigration New Zealand
This requirement ensures their visa accurately reflects the new study situation and complies with immigration requirements.
Before making any changes, students or their representatives should check the INZ website for guidance on how to apply for a new student visa on enhanced Immigration Online and ensure they apply in advance to avoid any disruption to their studies.
For more information, visit Study visas: Immigration New Zealand
Update for international students: Keep your visa photo filter free
We all like to look our best, but to avoid delays or declines, visa application photos must be a true, unedited likeness. That means students must abandon those filters and submit an accurate photo in order to avoid processing delays or declines.
Immigration New Zealand uses facial recognition, so filters, AI edits, or beauty enhancements interfere with identity checks. Photos must meet international biometric standards - natural skin tones, clear lighting, and no digital alterations.
Edited images including smoothing skin, changing eye size, reshaping facial features, or cropping your head onto a plain background will cause delays in processing and may lead to declined applications.
Key tips:
- Don’t use selfies - get someone to take your photo or use a professional.
- Tell photographers not to apply digital enhancements, like beauty filters or AI adjustments.
- Some photo apps or online tools may not be suitable for visa applications.
More information and examples of acceptable photos can be found on our website: Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA : Immigration New Zealand
Guardian visitor visa applications moving online from 3 November
From 3 November 2025, all Guardian Visitor Visa applications should be submitted on Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. This update is part of INZ’s broader digital transformation, aimed at improving the visa experience for families supporting international students.
While the information required remains the same, the application form may look a little different.
The enhanced system offers better application tracking and a more streamlined experience for applicants. Updated guidance and support materials are built into the form.
If you have an application in draft or submitted under the old application form, you will still be able to access or submit this application after 3 November 2025. We will notify you when the old application form is due to close.
For current visa holders, if your child is applying for a new student visa and you intend to apply for another Guardian Visitor Visa, both applications should be submitted through the enhanced system.
This change is particularly relevant for education providers, agents, and advisers supporting families of international students. Please share this update with your networks and encourage early preparation ahead of the transition.
Guardian Visitor Visa applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online: Immigration New Zealand
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Around the world in five
GLOBAL
University applicants turn away from US and UK
Canada has overtaken the UK as a preferred study destination for international university applicants, according to the 2018 QS Applicant Survey. The survey provides further evidence that international students are increasingly rejecting the UK in favour of other English-speaking destinations.
SOUTH EAST ASIA
South East and East Asia’s growing popularity with international students
South East Asia’s lower study and living costs, coupled with its offering of an ‘exciting study abroad experience not too far from home’, is attracting international students from the wider Asia-Pacific region.
UK
Take students out of migration stats, say policymakers and stakeholders
A forum about the UK’s future immigration policy included lengthy discussion about the inclusion of international students in the net migration target, with many arguing it creates the perception that the UK is unwelcoming to students.
BRAZIL
Brazil to get 'Singapore-style' education thanks to teacher training deal
More than 50,000 students in Brazil will soon be provided with a more Singaporean-style education, thanks to a memorandum of understanding with Singapore’s National Institute of Education to improve the education system in Brazil.
MALTA
Increasing international English language enrolments
More than 87,000 international students attended English language schools in Malta in 2017, seeking “a high quality of English teaching accompanied with the sun and the safety of the island.”
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Regional Partnership Programme – reaching new heights
With Southland, Northland and Waikato recently joining the programme, ENZ now has 15 regions looking to develop and implement new strategies, and better tell their regional international education story.
Here’s a snapshot of the good things currently underway.
The Global Workforce project
The Global Workforce project aims to better position regions as education and career development centres, and to more effectively connect international talent with skilled employment
opportunities. This initiative will continue to expand the options for students to participate in the existing Work Ready programmes by working with government agencies and employers in sectors with future skill shortages.
Better regional data
International education is a valuable industry, and soon we’ll have the numbers to show it. Precise data will demonstrate the level of contribution that international education makes to regional economies, with clear information about value, job creation and the average international student spend per region. We expect the first round of data to be available for regional partners in early 2017.
Regional workshop
Fifteen regions were represented at the workshop, gaining new insights on destination marketing best practice.
In late November, representatives from 15 regions gathered for a two-day workshop in Christchurch.
The workshop included a presentation by ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) Asia-Pacific Vice President, Rod Hearps, on maximising engagement with agents, and the importance of destination marketing. Also on the agenda was a session on how regional organisations can collaborate with SIEBA (Schools International Education Business Association) and an inspiring presentation from Christchurch Educated on its progress to date.
Get to know your region
If you’d like to know more about New Zealand’s international education regional organisations and how you can get involved with the Regional Partnership Programme, click here.
For more information, contact Greg Scott, Programme Manager – Regional Partnership Programme
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From the Acting CE: Open for business – international education and the vocational reforms
I am therefore very pleased that Education New Zealand has the opportunity to contribute and support the work of the establishment unit for the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) and the reforms.
The NZIST will bring together the existing 16 ITPs to create a unified, sustainable public network of vocational education.
As we all know, New Zealand enjoys a strong reputation for work-ready education and industry training.
The reforms should build on New Zealand’s reputation as a high-quality choice for international students. They should also help develop a strong national identity for the vocational sector, representing a significant opportunity for providers to attract overseas students.
They should also help ensure a regional spread of students across New Zealand, with a lot of benefits for the regions – including skills, diversity and revenue.
I’m also very pleased to see that the reforms recognise the importance of international education. One of the seven IST work streams focuses entirely on it.
The International Education Working Group is chaired by Michelle Jordan from Venture Taranaki. Members are drawn from across nine institutes of technology/polytechnics and one skills organisation.
We are working closely with the group to support their work. And we’ll continue to work with them through the journey to share our experience and expertise.
The NZIST has a huge challenge ahead. And the changes to the country’s vocational education system will take time to embed.
While there is much happening at the provider level, the message for the sector and international students is that it’s business as usual. ITPs are open for business. And ENZ is continuing to market them. Students can continue to enrol at ITPs for 2020 as usual, including for multi-year programmes. Existing programmes, qualifications and credentials will continue to be recognised internationally.
The changes will take time, but they are an investment in the future of New Zealand’s vocational education and international education sectors.
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Around the world in five
Asia
A shift towards non-recruitment based engagement with Indian schools could be key to better managing student expectations, stakeholders have suggested. Those who have done it well – particularly schools in the US – have created engagement through faculty, immersion trips, experiential learning opportunities, curriculum engagement and alumni, The PIE learned.
North America
British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, and a leading destination for international students within Canada. On 1 March, the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills released details of how the international student cap will be applied within the province's education system.
Europe
A new paper from a group of experts, including three former universities ministers, challenges suggestions that the United Kingdom has too many international students and warns that the government is using out-of-date data to predict the number of overseas students expected to come to the UK for their higher education.
Africa
International educators need to prepare for ‘The Africa Decade’, where enrolment growth rates of African students globally are expected to hit their fastest rates over the next 10 years. Modelling suggested African students will account for one in eight international students by 2050, but visa rejections are seriously hampering efforts to enrol students from across the continent.
Oceania
International students are more open to switching destinations following recent government policy changes in three of the top destinations – Australia, Canada and the UK, with the UK most affected and the USA looking set to benefit, according to a student survey conducted by global higher education-focused agency group IDP Education.
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Leadership team changes at ENZ
Regional Directors join ENZ’s Executive Team
ENZ’s three Regional Directors – Alex Grace for China and North Asia; John Laxon for South and South East Asia and Middle East; and Lisa Futschek for Europe and Americas – have been appointed to ENZ’s Executive Team. This will ensure that international market conditions and issues have greater visibility in our discussions and decisions.
Incoming Regional Director, China and North Asia
Adele Bryant is preparing to take over the role of Regional Director, China and North Asia from Alex Grace who leaves ENZ in June. Adele brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role including her significant achievements with the universities sector, and her international experience with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade before joining ENZ. Amongst her MFAT roles directly relevant to the ENZ Regional Director role, Adele worked as Head of the China Unit, was Consul General in Hong Kong and was Deputy Director APEC. Adele will move to Beijing shortly.New GM Strategy and Insight
Clive Jones is our new GM Strategy and Insight. This is a new role with an important mission to lead and coordinate ENZ’s strategic thinking, priority projects and major initiatives. He’ll be focusing on some key initiatives that have the potential to make a big difference for the future of international education. Clive was previously ENZ’s GM Business Development.Successor to GM Industry Development
Greg Scott has been promoted to replace Clive as GM Industry Development. Greg was previously ENZ’s South Island Business Development Manager and led our Regional Partnership Programme. In his new role, Greg will lead ENZ’s team of business development and project managers, based in our four New Zealand offices, who are tasked with supporting international education providers to achieve sustainable industry growth across New Zealand.Student Marketing expands focus
As part of ENZ’s recently expanded focus on the entire ‘student journey’ – from ‘prospective student’ to ‘student experience’ to ‘alumni and advocate’, we have refocused our Student Marketing team around five areas: student acquisition; events and agents; student engagement; student experience; and student scholarships.
Internal promotions
Kaylee Butters has been promoted to Director, Student Engagement, and Euan Howden is promoted to Director, Student Acquisition.
New Director, Student Experience
Hayley Shields has joined ENZ as Director of Student Experience. Hayley recently led international marketing and business development for the University of Auckland. She has had an extensive career in international education in Australia and New Zealand, including with University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne and CPA Australia. Based in Auckland, she will work with industry stakeholders, government and community agencies and students to deliver a shared vision of a unique and quality student experience for all international students. This work will be informed by the International Student Wellbeing Strategy, the development of which has been led by the Ministry of Education. -
NAFSA’s Dr Esther Brimmer to address NZIEC 2017
Her keynote address, ‘Connecting people to change the world’, will explore the ways in which international educators can build bridges across professional and political lines to keep our societies open and welcoming.
Dr Esther Brimmer, chief executive of NAFSA
Drawing on recent developments in the United States, Dr Brimmer will outline the initiatives being undertaken by the NAFSA community to foster increased support for international education and will suggest a framework for action that can be applied by international educators the world over.
ENZ Chief Executive, Grant McPherson, said it was wonderful that Dr Brimmer would speak at NZIEC 2017.
“Dr Brimmer operates at the highest levels in the United States government and internationally, and offers unique levels of influence and expertise,” he said.
“We look forward to her insights on how we can forge greater global connectivity through international education.”
With over 10,000 members in more than 150 countries, NAFSA is the world’s largest non-profit association dedicated to international education and exchange. The 2017 NAFSA conference will be held in Los Angeles 28 May to 2 June. At NAFSA, Dr Brimmer is at the forefront of efforts to promote global connectivity through international education and exchange.
Dr Brimmer’s distinguished career has included three appointments within the U.S. Department of State, serving most recently as the Assistant Secretary for International Organisation Affairs.
Dr Brimmer has also held positions at George Washington University, Council on Foreign Relations, Johns Hopkins University, College of Europe, Carnegie Commission, Democratic Study Group in the U.S. House of Representatives, and McKinsey & Company. She earned her Doctorate from Oxford University.
Find out more about Dr Brimmer here. Dr Brimmer joins conference MC Miriama Kamo and Dr Jason Fox as NZIEC headline speakers.
We’ll be making more speaker announcements before registrations open in May. Stay tuned!
