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Building on momentum from 2025 for steady growth in 2026
Kia ora koutou,
As 2025 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved together, and to thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown to grow international education in New Zealand.
This year has been one of big wins:
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New Zealand now has 83,535 international students enrolled between January and August, a 14% increase on last year, already surpassing 2024’s total.
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Education-related travel exports hit $4.52 billion, making international education among New Zealand’s top 10 exports.
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87% of international students rated their experience in the country positively, with 77% of New Zealanders agreeing that international education benefits the country.
These results are a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment of everyone in this sector. Thank you for working with us on our Go-to-Market Plans, we are excited to keep building on this momentum in 2026 as we deliver on the International Education Going for Growth Plan.
And it’s not just our sector shining, New Zealand continues to stand out globally on several counts, which make us even more appealing as a high-quality study destination.
We are globally ranked:
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fifth for overall higher education quality (QS World University Rankings 2026)
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second on the Sustainable Trade Index
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third-most peaceful country in the world (Global Peace Index 2025)
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first for work-life balance (Global Life Work Balance Index 2025)
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tenth for overall prosperity and wellbeing (Legatum Prosperity Index 2025).
Finally, I want to acknowledge Amanda’s outstanding leadership as ENZ Chief Executive. Amanda has strengthened relationships across government and the sector, represented New Zealand internationally, and delivered an organisational reset that sets ENZ up for the future.
We’re immensely grateful for her contribution and wish her every success in her next role.
The ENZ Board has started recruiting for a new Chief Executive, and we’re working closely with Amanda and the leadership team to ensure a smooth transition. In the meantime, business continues as usual, and our team remains focused on achieving the growth goals we have set for international education.
On behalf of the ENZ Board, thank you for everything you’ve done to help international education grow and thrive this year.
Wishing you a safe and happy festive season filled with relaxation, good cheer and time with loved ones. We look forward to connecting again in the New Year and continuing this important work together.
Ngā mihi nui,
Tony Gray
Chair, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao -
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New Zealand to host APAIE 2021 conference
Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced that New Zealand has been successful in its bid to host the APAIE conference in March 2021.
The conference theme is “innovation for sustainable futures” and will focus on building links between APAIE and universities in the South Pacific region.
The conference will use the new Auckland Convention Centre after it is completed in 2019 and is expected to attract some 2000 delegates. University of Auckland will host the event and the other seven universities will co-host.
“I want to congratulate the universities who worked together to put forward this successful bid. This is great news for our international education sector as international education adds considerable richness to New Zealand,” said Minister Hipkins.
“We know that international education offers opportunities for young people to study here and for our young people to study abroad. That’s why we want our international education sector to have a strong future.”
Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive, said New Zealand’s selection to host APAIE 2021 was wonderful news. It was also a significant achievement.
“The selection reinforces New Zealand’s reputation for having a world-class education sector and for leadership in international education thinking across the Asia-Pacific region.
“The APAIE conference is a valuable platform for engaging with education organisations across the Asia-Pacific region, providing a one-stop shop for 2,000 delegates to establish partnerships with quality institutions,” said Grant.
“Over the next couple of years, ENZ will work with the New Zealand industry to build our presence at APAIE conferences in Kuala Lumpur in 2019 and British Columbia in 2020, so that the 2021 conference delivers for our industry and showcases the best of our international education sector to the world.”
“The bid has been a true NZ-Inc effort,” Grant emphasised.
“The University of Auckland played a central leadership role, with the strong support of all of our universities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Tourism NZ’s Major Events team have also provided invaluable support in making the bid a success,” he said.
Read Minister Hipkins' announcement here.
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