New Zealand’s education sector is slowly rebounding from the pandemic-induced slump, with international student enrolments showing signs of growth. Amanda Malu, the newly appointed chief executive of Education New Zealand, is leading the charge to double education exports and diversify international student cohorts.
New Zealand has set goals to increase its education exports, aiming to:
- Double export revenue: Increase education exports to $4 and $6 billion by 2030, up from $3.7 billion currently.
- Rebuild international enrolments: The sector saw a 24% year-on-year increase in international students, with university enrolments just 7% below pre-pandemic levels.
Malu is focusing on broadening the diversity of international student cohorts, reducing reliance on China and India, which currently account for half of all enrolments.
- Indian Market: Despite diversification efforts, Malu sees major growth potential in India, particularly for polytechnics and institutes of technology.
- Emerging Markets: Vietnam is another key target, with only 1,700 current enrolments, but vast room for growth.
Key Strategies
Education New Zealand is implementing several key strategies to achieve its goals:
- Building Relationships: Building enduring relationships with emerging markets and promoting New Zealand as a safe, welcoming destination.
- Showcasing New Zealand: Highlighting the country’s unbeatable lifestyle, high-quality education, and unique culture of hospitality, known as “manaaki”.
- Public Support: Maintaining public support for international education, with 72% of Kiwis believing international students benefit New Zealand.
New Zealand is positioning itself as an attractive alternative to Australia, which has undergone policy shifts. This is reflected in increased traffic to New Zealand’s study website from Australian students.
Education New Zealand faces several challenges and opportunities:
- Balancing Growth: Balancing growth with maintaining public confidence, avoiding the pitfalls experienced by Australia and Canada.
- Monitoring Policy: Closely watching policy developments and planning its response accordingly.
By focusing on diversification, relationship-building, and showcasing New Zealand’s unique strengths, the education sector is poised for growth and recovery under Malu’s leadership.
New Zealand’s education sector is on the path to recovery, driven by ambitious goals, diversification efforts, and key strategies. With a focus on building relationships, showcasing the country’s strengths, and maintaining public support, Education New Zealand is well-positioned to achieve its goals and become a leading destination for international students.
