“Our international education sector has done it tough for the last few years. Bringing forward our reopening to all international students shows this Government’s strong commitment to them, and to the rebuild of high-quality, world-class, New Zealand international education,” Chris Hipkins said. “Prior to the pandemic, the sector was worth several billion dollars to our country and education providers. This early reopening will be seen as great news for our universities, our polytechnics and wānanga, as well as for our schools, English language schools, and for private training providers.”

Master’s and PHD students will retain the right to work in New Zealand for up to three years after their studies

There are up to 5,000 places for students to come to New Zealand now, and from July 31, all international students who meet the entry criteria can enrol to study here. The criteria for international student visas has been adjusted to ensure New Zealand is building on its strong international education brand.

The Government has confirmed that international fee-paying students under Year 9 will be able to continue to enrol at New Zealand schools. “This follows a recent consultation on enrolment of these students. In the end, we decided that the benefits for both domestic and international students under Year 9 are significant and we want them to continue,” Chris Hipkins said.

Consultation is also being launched on the refresh of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-2030. “The refresh of the International Education Strategy is all about recognising that we are in a very different space to where we were in 2018 and as the borders reopen, we need to support international education to come back even stronger than before,” Chris Hipkins said.

“We want to work with the sector to build a new future, focused on the delivery of more high-value and innovative international education offerings for domestic and international students, on-shore, off-shore, in person and on-line.

“It also looks at how the benefits that international students bring could be shared more regionally throughout Aotearoa. This would allow more New Zealanders to benefit from the presence of these students than in the past.

“I look forward to hearing the sector’s views on the strategy, which will be open for consultation from May 13 to June 24, 2022,” Chris Hipkins said.

PV