Across all receptors of international students in New Zealand, including universities, schools, English language schools and further education institutions, the figure reflected an increase of 67% on the numbers shown in 2022 – and meant it was at 60% of the number seen in the country in 2019.
The figures come shortly after ENZ released a placeholder-style slate of figures for the first eight months of 2023 earlier this year.
All sub-sectors saw an increase in numbers since 2022 apart from wānanga – or public tertiary institutions, said the announcement from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao.
The universities in the country overall stood at 86% of their 2019 enrolments, with a total of 29,065 students in 2023.
The one that saw the most growth, encouragingly, was the English language sector, which saw its numbers go from 1,565 in 2022 to 9,570 in 2023 – a staggering 511% increase year-on-year.
The acting chief executive of ENZ said that the figures overall were “good news” for the country’s international education sector.
“It confirms that New Zealand is an attractive place to study, offering a quality learning experience inside and outside the classroom in a safe, welcoming environment,” said Linda Sissons.
India, which will be a “country of honour” at the New Zealand International Education Conference in August, continues to be one of New Zealand’s biggest sending countries, with 17% of the market share in the full 2023 year.
“India and New Zealand have strong ties in the field of education, as India continues to play a very significant role in New Zealand’s international education industry,” said Neeta Bhushan, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand. “This is done through research partnerships, as well as the large number of Indian students who are studying here in New Zealand,” she added.
We are actively diversifying our recruitment efforts to reach international students in a broad range of countries
Linda Sissons, ENZ
In no surprise, China dominates the market share, with 35% of New Zealand’s international students coming from the juggernaut – even Education New Zealand itself noted it is generally the biggest sending country among all of New Zealand’s competitors.
Japan, South Korea and Thailand are the third, fourth and fifth largest sending countries behind China and India with 10%, 5% and 4% respectively.
Shortly after speaking to The PIE in 2022 about New Zealand’s international education strategy, then-education minister (now leader of the opposition) Chris Hipkins departed for a tour of Latin America – but as it stands, no countries from the region have more than 4% of the market share, and are not listed separately in 2023 figures.
“Enabling a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class international education is a government priority. We are actively diversifying our recruitment efforts to reach international students in a broad range of countries,” Sissons added.
