NZ International Education Sector Surges Past Pre-Pandemic Levels

New Zealand's international education sector has bounced back strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic, with export earnings surpassing pre-pandemic levels. According to Education Minister Erica Stanford, international education generated nearly 5 billion NZ dollars ($2.95 billion) in export earnings in the year to June 2026, up from $4.3 billion NZ in the year to June 2025 and $3.5 billion NZ in the year to June 2024.

This milestone is significant for a sector that was severely impacted by COVID-19 border closures. The minister noted that international education brings billions of dollars into New Zealand, supports jobs and businesses, strengthens universities and schools, and drives economic activity in communities across the country.

International student enrolments are also on the rise, with 92,580 students enrolled in 2025, up from 69,140 in 2023 but still below the 115,705 recorded in 2019. The government aims to grow international education export earnings to 7.2 billion NZ dollars by 2034.