International Education

This topic page provides links to material that may be of interest to those involved or interested in international education.

International education is an important area of work for the government and the Ministry of Education. This theme page provides a snapshot of the key elements of work in this area, access to research and statistical information related to international education in New Zealand.

International Education Policy

International education in New Zealand is being grown and shaped by several key policies.

The Government's Economic Growth Agenda identifies international education as an area that can contribute more to New Zealand's economic growth. Legislation was introduced into Parliament on 6 April 2011 to establish a new Crown agency for international education, Education New Zealand, to help in achieving this greater contribution. The agency began operations on 1 September 2011. It will enhance the marketing and promotion of New Zealand and New Zealand education providers, and carry out overseas representation.

The Ministry of Education will, however, retain a focus on international education, complementing that of Education New Zealand. The Ministry will take the lead on New Zealands education relationships with multilateral organisations, regulating education providers involved in export education and promoting better support of international students, working with Immigration New Zealand to ensure immigrating settings for interational students are optimal, and encouraging greater interationalisation of the curriculum across the education system.

It includes targets to:

  • increase annual revenues from providing education services offshore to at least $0.5 billion
  • develop and sustain mutually beneficial education relationships with key partner countries in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas
  • increase the number of international students enrolled in New Zealand providers offshore, from 3,000 to 10,000
  • double the number of international postgraduate students (particularly in programmes in addition to those at PhD level) from 10,000 to 20,000
  • increase the transition rate from study to residence for international university students
  • increase New Zealanders' skills and knowledge to operate effectively across cultures.

International Education Resources

International Education Publications

The Ministry undertakes and commissions a considerable amount of research, much of which is being utilised in the development of international education policies. The following publications contain international education information:

International Education Strategy | He Rautaki Mātauranga A Ao
The New Zealand International Education Strategy, released in August 2018, sets a path for the future of our international education sector.  The vision is for international education to contribute to a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class education.

International student wellbeing strategy
The International Student Wellbeing Strategy, released in June 2017, sets out focus areas for government agencies that are working to support international students. Apply for funding for initiatives to improve student wellbeing.

The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2019 Amendments
When students come to study in New Zealand, education providers have an important responsibility to ensure that those students are well informed, safe and properly cared for. To support this, the New Zealand government has developed the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016, which was amended in 2019.

International Education Statistics

The Ministry of Education holds various collections of statistical information obtained through Ministry of Education processes, including data on student participation and achievement, and sector performance across a range of educational and financial criteria.  International Education Statistics includes information relating to:

Education Sector Indicators

A set of Education Sector Indicators has been developed to help assess and monitor the 'health' of education in New Zealand. The indicators focus on the outcomes of education and training, and the important influences on those outcomes.

Indicators assist us to identify key strengths and weaknesses in the education sector and monitor the progress, or lack of progress, being made towards key educational goals.

A fundamental principle of our approach to monitoring is that where an indicator is thought to be worthy of monitoring, it should be monitored by separate ethnic groups as well as the total population. Two-thirds of the indicators have information on Māori, including tables of information.