Figures released by Education New Zealand (ENZ) show that after two years of significant decline that led into 2013’s first trimester, by May 2013, international student numbers in the region had grown by 35%.

In the final trimester of 2013, numbers grew 50% on the same period in 2012, resulting in an overall increase of 11% in percentage points on the previous year.

In the final trimester numbers grew 50% on the same period in 2012 resulting in an overall increase of 11% on the previous year

All sectors saw improvements but growth was driven mostly by a 71% boom in the English language sector, equating to the biggest increase in numbers of all sectors to 706 students.

ENZ’s full year report confirms that primary schools were the only sector to see a continued fall in numbers, which it attributes to the overall decline in Korean students to the country.

Since the earthquakes rocked the region’s capital city Christchurch in 2010 and a subsequent quake in the region in 2011, the government has worked closely with the international education industry to try to get it back on its feet.

After a 37% decline in business in 2012, the government announced all English language students studying in the region would be able to work part-time to supplement their income in an 18-month trial period.

Speaking with The PIE News, English language schools in the region confirmed that the work rights have benefited recruitment efforts the most.

“The extended work rights for students coming to study in the region has meant that Christchurch is included in the consideration of students looking for work and study opportunities abroad,” said Marcelo Credidio, Sales Manager at CCEL.

Credidio confirmed that the centre has seen an absolute upturn in the past year. He added that “regaining confidence of offshore agents, students and their parent is something that takes time and a lot of resources.”

“There is always a matter of ensuring that the message gets across and students become aware of these work rights changes and the benefits of them,” he said. “Initiatives involving hosting international agents in familiarisation visits, and the organisation of offshore missions to key markets seem to be helpful in the effort as well.”

The campaign to attract students to the region also included injecting NZ$5 million into a sustainable marketing drive.

Part of the investment was used to launch Christchurch Educated which guaranteed university entrance to international graduates of Christchurch secondary schools and an international student card providing discounts on public transport and at businesses in the city.

“Regaining confidence of offshore agents, students and their parent is something that takes time and a lot of resources”

Wilkinson’s English Language School admission officer, Victoria McFadden, also said the school has been “very impressed with the efforts of Education New Zealand and Christchurch Educated” and that its promotion has “provided great marketing support to schools”.

“We do not have any statistical evidence, but anecdotally, we have benefited from the government’s initiatives in offering work rights to international students,” she said adding that the school has experienced a “small and steady upturn in student numbers” since the downturn after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

In its full year report, the government confirmed that it will be extending the work rights pilot for international students enrolled in English language schools in Christchurch to all of New Zealand.