A Cost of Living tool provides information on the differences in price between education levels as well as the cost range for accommodation, travel, food, utilities, entertainment, mobile phones and internet while in country.

“We wanted to create a central source of information for students that addresses the subject with clarity and transparency”

“We wanted to create a central source of information for students that addresses the subject with clarity and transparency, setting realistic expectations for what international students will need to budget for,” Lucia Alarcon, ENZ international digital programme manager told The PIE News.

Alarcon said the tool was developed after ENZ commissioned research into international student experiences while studying in country, with advice sought from international students, education providers and a final consultation period with Immigration New Zealand to ensure consistency of content.

As well as the Cost of Living tool, an interactive quick facts section has been rolled out to cover common questions asked by international students when coming to New Zealand.

Topics include education quality, career opportunities, lifestyle and course structure.

Alarcon said content was chosen after workshops with students about how they understood ENZ’s and New Zealand’s brand identified common areas of interest for students.

“Given the breadth and complexity of information that is available across multiple sources – we wanted to help students to make sense of all of this,” she said, adding the information would help develop a cohesive value proposition relevant to all markets.

The online resources follow similar tools created by ENZ, including the Regional Portal which promotes regional centres outside Auckland, to attract international students to New Zealand.