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.

Leading sector voices are calling for systematic funding of universities in New Zealand prior to the announcement of this year’s national budget.

Consultation on New Zealand's refreshed International Education Strategy 2022-2030 is launching imminently, while the government has reaffirmed its commitment to "reinvigorate and strengthen" the international education sector.

New Zealand's international education industry will 'fully resume' on July 31 when the country's border reopens, the government has said as it revealed changes in post-study work rights.

The government has laid out how 5,000 border class exemption spaces for international students will be allocated across education providers.

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.

A hold on processing most temporary visas in New Zealand may decimate the number of international students allowed into the country this year, tertiary institutions are fearing.

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