New Zealand (Commonwealth Union)_ Education New Zealand (ENZ) has set an ambitious goal to substantially enhance the economic impact of its international education sector, with a target of increasing its value to NZ$4.4 billion by 2027. This goal marks a significant shift from the pre-pandemic sector valuation of NZ$3.7 billion in 2019, reflecting 18.9 percent growth. The initiative comes in response to a sharp decline in contributions from international education, which fell to NZ$0.8 billion in 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent border closures.
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In 2023, New Zealand saw a noteworthy rebound with 69,135 international enrolments, a substantial 67 percent increase from the previous year. This figure represents approximately 60 percent of the enrolment numbers recorded in 2019, highlighting a robust recovery trajectory for the sector. Dr. Linda Sissons, Acting Chief Executive of ENZ, expressed optimism about the sector’s recovery, noting that international education has made a good start to its recovery with more than 69,000 enrolments in the first full academic year since borders reopened.
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Furthermore, ENZ’s strategic focus aims at growing and diversifying the number of foreign students enrolled, particularly by targeting emerging markets such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Additionally, specific segments within traditional markets, including Japan and Thailand, will also be leveraged to bolster enrolment numbers. This strategic approach aligns with the government’s broader objective to double the value of education exports within the next decade. Additionally, a recent survey by global agency IDP Education has also shed light on potential opportunities for New Zealand. The survey indicated that New Zealand might benefit from Australia’s more restrictive visa policies. Countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia are emerging as potential sources of students who might shift their preferences from Australia to New Zealand.
Furthermore, Dr. Sissons emphasized the necessity of immediate action to capitalize on these opportunities, stating, “We need to start now to grow awareness of New Zealand in these markets if we are to achieve our growth targets.” The strategy is designed to maximize every opportunity for New Zealand, utilizing the principles of Scale, Impact, and Leverage to guide the efforts. In addition to targeted market investments, ENZ has witnessed increased interest in New Zealand’s educational offerings. Over the past year, the Study with New Zealand website has received over two million visits. Moreover, ENZ engaged 69,000 prospective students, hosted 33 webinars for agents, and conducted 18 in-country events across key Asian markets. These efforts underscore New Zealand’s commitment to expanding the international enrolment sector.
The New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC), held this week in Wellington, further highlighted these initiatives. The conference featured discussions led by Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds on the government’s commitment to growing and diversifying the number of foreign students enrolled in the sector. Additionally, Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of the NAFSA Association of International Educators in the USA, also addressed the role of international education amid global challenges. ENZ’s strategic framework, supported by recent high-profile visits including those by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Education Minister Huai Jinpeng, as well as Prime Ministerial trade missions to Southeast Asia and Japan, underscores the importance of international education to New Zealand’s economic and cultural landscape.
Furthermore, New Zealand’s aim to grow its international education sector reflects a concerted effort to rejuvenate and expand its economic contributions while fostering global connections and cultural exchange. As New Zealand positions itself as a premier destination for international students, its ambitious goal to grow its international education sector is set to pave the way for substantial growth and increased global engagement in the coming years.
