After receiving preliminary advice from the international education sector, the New Zealand government has decided to cease a review of in-study work rights.

In 2017, the number of international enrolments in New Zealand dropped for the first time in four years, as stakeholders treat the change as a rebalance towards quality providers and students.

We are lobbying NZQA and the Ministry of Education for recognition as a separate sort of entity. We believe we have the rights to be heard as another group of institutions involved in international education

English New Zealand, the representative body for English language schools in the country, has for the first time in its 30-year history, appointed an executive director.

The Quality Assurance in Language Education Network, a worldwide network of English language accreditation bodies, has officially launched its website and branding this month, following a symposium in Malta. The developments put the organisation on track to create a forum for sharing best practice and comparing accreditation systems used in different countries.

High tuition protection costs are hampering growth in New Zealand language schools, with some claiming that they must put aside up to 50% over what they take in revenue to meet government requirements. This is adding to a tough business environment in which enrolments slipped by 6% across all sectors in 2012, with English schools among the worst hit.

Despite efforts to boost education exports, the number of students being issued visas to study in New Zealand for the first time fell by a quarter in 2009-2012, new figures reveal. The government blames the Christchurch earthquakes, global economy and high New Zealand dollar, but others say poor immigration policies are a factor.