Nine in 10 international students rated their overall experience positively in the 2026 New Zealand International Student Experience Survey, released by Education New Zealand (ENZ), up from 87% in 2025.
Almost half (47%) described their experience as “excellent”, with both measures reaching their highest levels since the survey began in 2019.
“Students have delivered a pretty clear verdict. They value the education they receive here, however, just as importantly they value the experience of living here and the connections they make with people,” said ENZ chief executive David Downs.
“That matters. International education isn’t only about getting students to New Zealand. It’s about making sure they have a great experience on the journey here, and that experience continues once they arrive.”
The survey heard from 6,129 international students representing more than 100 nationalities, with education and living experiences both recording their highest scores since the survey began.
Some 91% of students rated their education experience positively, while 90% were positive about their living experience. According to ENZ, living experience had the strongest influence on students’ overall satisfaction, followed by education.
People and connections was the highest-rated area, at 93%, while arrival and orientation reached a record 92%. Some 93% of respondents described their teachers, supervisors and tutors as supportive and respectful, and 91% rated New Zealand positively as a safe place to live.
But Downs said the findings also highlighted practical challenges facing international students.
“A good survey shouldn’t only tell you what you want to hear. Students are also being very clear about the practical things that can make their experience harder, particularly finding work, managing costs and accessing some support services,” he said.
Work experience remained the lowest-rated of the seven aspects measured, with 55% of students rating it positively – unchanged from 2025.
Just 33% were positive about the ease of finding part-time work during their studies, amid a challenging employment market affecting domestic and international students and graduates alike.
“Work experience is the standout challenge,” said Downs.
“We need to keep strengthening the links between study, employers, and career opportunities so students can see a clear pathway from a great education to strong career outcomes.”
Cost pressures also remain an issue, despite perceptions of value for money improving to a survey high of 78%. Students were less positive about the costs associated with living, education and international travel.
As more students choose New Zealand, protecting what they value and acting on the areas where they say we can do better will be critical to sustainable growth
David Downs, Education New Zealand
The findings come as New Zealand looks to grow its international education sector while maintaining the student experience that underpins its appeal as a study destination.
The government’s International Education Going for Growth plan, announced in 2025, set out an ambition to increase international enrolments by 35,000 and nearly double the sector’s value to NZ $7.2 billion by 2034. Measures including increased student work hours and expanded post-study opportunities signalled the country’s return to growth, with an emphasis on quality and sustainability.
“Growth and student experience have to go together,” said Downs.
“As more students choose New Zealand, protecting what they value and acting on the areas where they say we can do better will be critical to sustainable growth.”
International education export earnings have already reached NZ $4.98bn, surpassing the sector’s pre-pandemic value of NZ$4.403bn in the year to June 2019.
Student numbers, however, remain below their pre-pandemic peak. New Zealand recorded 92,580 international student enrolments in 2025, compared with 115,705 in 2019, while the country is on track for around 99,000 enrolments in 2026.
