The international education sector in New Zealand breathed a collective sigh of relief as the borders fully reopened, but many are prepared for a tough few years ahead.

New Zealand's five-step border opening plan has been welcomed as a "positive step" for international education, with normal student visa processing set to resume from October 2022.

Education stakeholders have suggested the plan to open New Zealand borders from April 2022 places the country's providers at a competitive disadvantage.