New Zealand international education has rallied around those affected by the Christchurch terror attacks and reassured students they are welcomed.

Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel, has sworn in the city's inaugural cohort of international student ambassadors, who will welcome incoming overseas students to New Zealand and provide support as they begin their studies.

New Zealand’s government has awarded NZ$150,000 in scholarships to some of India’s top students in partnership with Christchurch Educated and the Canterbury Development Corporation, in an effort to build ties with India and plug a skills gap to help with the rebuilding of the city.

Recent efforts by New Zealand’s government to increase international students to the Canterbury region are starting to have a positive effect. Figures show that after two years of significant decline the industry grew by 11% in 2013 led by the ESL sector which says study work rights have made the region competitive.

Overall international student numbers in New Zealand fell 1.8% in 2013, however pockets of growth in key markets in the second part of the year have left stakeholders feeling optimistic for 2014. PTEs struggled but postgraduate courses continued a growth trajectory.

Navitas has held an official opening for its pathway college UCIC at University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, which has accepted 70 students so far. Its "first of a kind" pathway college is supporting government efforts and investment to rev up regional international student enrolments.

New Zealand has launched a marketing drive to increase the Canterbury region's appeal as a destination for international students, after enrolments were hit by last year's earthquake. The scheme, Christchurch Educated, will also guarantee university entrance to international graduates of Christchurch secondary schools.

All English language students studying in the Canterbury region of New Zealand will now be able to work part-time to supplement their income, as the NZ government moves to shore up the local industry, which suffered a 37% decline in business last year. Industry operators strongly endorsed the decision.