1 week ago
New Zealand Targets Indian Students as International Enrolments Recover
New Zealand wants more students from India to study there.
This comes as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have made student visas or post-study rules stricter.
New Zealand had 92,580 international students in 2025.
That was 11% more than the year before.
Students from China made up the largest group, and students from India were the second-largest group.
Education New Zealand says it wants steady growth instead of a sudden rush of new students.
It is highlighting subjects such as farming technology, engineering, healthcare, and teaching.
New Zealand also wants to nearly double the money it earns from international education by 2034.
Its universities are discussing possible partnerships or campuses in India, but no official branch-campus plans have been announced.
New Zealand recorded 92,580 international student enrolments in 2025, up 11% from 2024.
China accounted for 34% of enrolments, while India represented 14%.
Education New Zealand wants sustainable growth rather than a sudden surge caused by tighter rules elsewhere.
The country is promoting agriculture, engineering, healthcare, and education as high-demand study fields.
New Zealand aims to increase international education revenue from NZ$3.6 billion to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034.
- Who
- Education New Zealand, led in this initiative by regional director Adrian Hirst, and prospective students from India.
- What
- New Zealand is seeking to increase international student enrolments by promoting its universities, academic strengths, and graduate outcomes.
- Where
- New Zealand, with India as a target market; Auckland hosted 55% of international students.
- When
- The initiative follows 2025 enrolment growth, with a revenue target set for 2034.
- Why
- Tighter visa and post-study policies in other major destinations create an opportunity, while New Zealand seeks to grow international education revenue sustainably.
Key facts
- 2025 international enrolments
- 92,580 students
- Annual enrolment growth
- 11% over 2024
- India’s share
- 14% of international enrolments
- Largest source market
- China, with 34% of enrolments
- University enrolments
- 38,025 students, up 14%
- Auckland’s share
- 55% of all international students
- Revenue ambition
- Increase from NZ$3.6 billion to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034
Quotes
Adrian Hirst
Education New Zealand’s regional director for India and South Asia
“Our universities are globally among the best in agriculture and agri-tech and focus on advanced research and specialised innovation. There is also a strong focus on engineering and resource management, as well as healthcare and education. In fact, nursing and teaching are two high-demand sectors locally.”
financialexpress.com
“It is definitely an opportunity, but the key thing here is not making it the opportunity on its own in isolation. We’re not looking for an overnight hockey-stick kind of growth just because students are no longer able to easily go to those markets, but are looking at it from a more sustainable approach.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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