NZ International Education Earnings Boom Past Pre-Pandemic Levels

New Zealand's international education sector has seen a significant recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Education Minister Erica Stanford, the country's international education export earnings have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching nearly $2.95 billion in the year to June 2026.

This represents a growth of over 15% compared to the previous year and a significant milestone for a sector that was severely impacted by border closures during the pandemic. Stanford noted that international education is one of New Zealand's most valuable export sectors, generating billions of dollars for the economy each year.

The number of international students has also been increasing, with 92,580 enrolments in 2025 compared to 69,140 in 2023. This is below the pre-pandemic level of 115,705 in 2019 but indicates a growing trend.

Stanford's statement highlights the importance of international education for New Zealand's economy and society. The government aims to grow export earnings to $7.2 billion by 2034.