International Education Strategy 2022-2030

The Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, has launched the final International Education Strategy for 2022-30.

The Strategy launch follows the Prime Minister’s announcement on 11 May 2022 that New Zealand’s borders would fully open from 31 July 2022.

From that date, all international students with valid visas can enter the country, and new students, eying New Zealand as their study destination, can start preparing and progressing their plans with their chosen providers.

Changes to the draft

Changes were made to the draft strategy following consultation with the sector. These include:

  • Clarification that the Government does not expect smaller providers to diversify to the same extent as larger ones, or into areas outside their core purpose.
  • Immigration New Zealand to share up to date information on visa processing times, and on what good applications look like. This is so providers can give more accurate information to students.
  • A commitment from the Ministry of Education to understand what it means to honour Te Tiriti in the provision on international education opportunities for domestic students.
  • Agencies to monitor the impacts of the Immigration Rebalance policy changes on student visas.
  • A monitoring framework to understand the onshore and offshore offerings that will build a high-value and diversified future for international education.
  • Education New Zealand undertaking a stocktake of current international student services and supports to identity any gaps that can be filled.

The strategy

The new Strategy is a refocusing of the 2018 strategy, taking account of the disruption caused by COVID 19 and what needs to happen to get back on track. It also draws on work done with the sector in 2021 to move towards a more economically sustainable and high-value international education sector post COVID-19.  

The Strategy describes a more high-value, resilient and innovative international education sector, for both international and domestic students. This includes offering products and services on-shore, off-shore, in person and on-line for the benefit of students, the New Zealand economy, and all New Zealanders. Both now and into the future.

Immigration Rebalance

New immigration settings impact the post-study work rights of international students. The changes also increase the funds international students need to have to support themselves while studying.  

Read more about these changes: Immigration Rebalance: International Education Sector(external link)

Decision on international fee-paying students under year 9

In May 2022, the Government announced that international fee-paying students under year 9 can continue to enrol in New Zealand schools.

Read more about that decision: Enrolling international fee-paying students under Year 9(external link)

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