Education minister Erica Stanford said the latest figures confirmed that international education was once again one of New Zealand’s most valuable export sectors.
International education export earnings reached $4.403 billion in the year to June 2019, before the pandemic closed New Zealand’s borders. Earnings fell to $3.533bn in the year to June 2024, before recovering to $4.295bn in 2025.
“That is a significant milestone for a sector that was hit harder than almost any other by the Covid-19 border closures,” said Stanford.
The recovery is also happening with fewer international students than before the pandemic.
There were 92,580 international student enrolments in 2025, up from 69,140 in 2023, while New Zealand is on track to reach around 99,000 students in 2026. That compares with 115,705 enrolments in 2019.
“It is encouraging that we are generating more value of international education with fewer students,” said Stanford.
“In 2019 around 116,000 students contributed $4.4bn to New Zealand. This year we are on track for around 99,000 students with them continuing nearly $5bn with three months to go.”
Education New Zealand data shows that international students spend an average of around $45,776 a year in New Zealand, excluding tuition fees.
Stanford highlighted the wider economic impact of that spending, pointing to benefits for businesses and communities beyond education providers.
“International education brings billions of dollars into New Zealand, supports jobs and businesses, strengthens our universities and schools, and drives economic activity in communities right across the country,” she said.
“That is additional money flowing directly into our communities. It means more customers in local cafés and restaurants, more spending in shops and supermarkets, more demand for accommodation and transport, and more visitors travelling around our regions.”
The latest enrolment data suggests the recovery is broadening across the education system.
Between January and April 2026, 68,780 international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers, an 8% increase on the same period in 2025.
Universities recorded 14% growth over the period, while schools were up 9% and private training establishments increased 6%.
Within schools, primary enrolments were up 22%.
“Our job now is to keep that momentum going,” the education minister said.
“That means backing our education providers to grow, making sure our immigration settings are internationally competitive, and promoting New Zealand in the markets where we see the greatest opportunities.”
The government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan targets 105,000 international student enrolments by 2027 and export earnings of $7.2bn by 2034.
Stanford said the sector was already “well ahead of schedule” towards the 2034 earnings ambition.
“We have been deliberate about getting our immigration settings right so New Zealand can compete internationally for students while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system,” she said.
We have been deliberate about getting our immigration settings right so New Zealand can compete internationally for students while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system
Erica Stanford, education minister
“We want New Zealand to be the destination of choice for international students looking for a world-class education and an outstanding experience.
“By getting the settings right and backing our providers to compete, we can attract more students, support more Kiwi jobs and businesses, grow our exports and build a stronger economy for the future,” said Stanford.
