Introduction

This report is the latest in a series of annual summaries of the publicly available data, from three main sources, on the number of enrolments of international fee-paying students with New Zealand education providers. This report covers the period from 2006 to 2012. Summary information is also stated on the numbers of approved student visas to 2012, and international enrolments in tertiary (higher) education.

This information is disaggregated by origin, according to the key markets of North Asia, South-East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and North America. The estimated economic value-added to New Zealand from international education is also referenced.

Overview

The Education Act 1989 provides the legislative framework for the enrolment of feepaying international students by New Zealand schools and tertiary education institutions. The issuing of visas for international students is regulated by the provisions of the Immigration Act 2009.

New Zealand education providers experienced a rapid rise in their international enrolments from 1998 to 2003, driven primarily by interest from Chinese students. New Zealand was one of the first Western countries to permit open access to student visas by Chinese nationals, a measure quickly followed by Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. This group is generally known as the ‘main English-speaking destination countries’ (MESDC) for international feepaying students.