New Zealand saw an “extraordinary” 67% year-on-year recovery after experiencing the longest and most restrictive Covid policies of the English-speaking world, said Studymove managing director Keri Ramirez.
In 2019, more than 115,000 New Zealand was home to international students, but total enrolments fell by two-thirds to 40,000 students in 2022.
Last year’s increase to nearly 70,000 is still down 40% on 2019 levels, but the rate of growth is expected to continue, reaching pre-pandemic figures next year, according to Studymove analysis presented by Ramirez in a webinar on October 15.
Higher education has seen the largest recovery rate, where international student enrolments are at 86% of 2019 levels.
Schools have achieved 60% recovery, with English-language, private training establishments (PTEs) and Te Pukenga (vocational education) reaching 33%, 58% and 52% respectively.
New Zealand saw the largest proportion of university closures during the pandemic among English-speaking destinations, and financial challenges are still inhibiting many universities’ recruitment efforts, said Ramierz.
However, the successful communication of New Zealand’s value proposition has seen a surge in interest in the study destination, with 86% of international students rating the destination positively.
The students indicated they were most positive about the connections they formed in New Zealand, as well as the educational experience, arrival and orientation, and living experience.
“There is a misconception that students are just shifting from one study destination to another and that’s the reason for New Zealand’s recovery.
“The fact that there have been policy changes in Canada and Australia will of course bring some benefits to New Zealand but that’s not the core aspect of the growth,” said Ramirez.
The cost of studying abroad in New Zealand is cheaper than other major study destinations, with postgraduate degrees costing on average 26% less than in Australia.
Unlike Australia and Canada who’s post-Covid recovery was largely driven by postgraduate students, New Zealand has seen a near-equal split in undergraduate and postgraduate students coming since the pandemic.
Policy changes in Canada and Australia will of course bring some benefits to New Zealand but that’s not the core aspect of the growth
Keri Ramirez, Studymove
Visa approvals for fee-paying students from January to August 2024 are up by 8% compared with 2023, predicted to reach 24,000 by the end of 2024, slightly below pre-pandemic levels.
China remains the largest market for international students, with visa approval ratings from January-August 2024 up 2% from the same period last year.
India, the second largest market, grew by 15%, with Japan, the third-largest market seeing 2% growth.
Nepal, which is New Zealand’s eighth largest source market, saw the most significant growth of 94%, followed by Sri Lanka, the fifth largest market, growing by 42%.
The latest analysis from Studymove will be welcomed in New Zealand, after it announced ambitious plans earlier this year to grow its international higher education sector to $4.4 billion by 2027.
While steady growth is projected to continue, engagement with education agents is comparatively low in New Zealand and could present an opportunity to enhance recovery rates, said Ramirez.
