Archive · 4 Sep 2026
New Zealand Education Earnings Surge Beyond Pre-COVID Levels
New Zealand earns money when students from other countries study there.
This business was badly affected when COVID-19 border closures stopped many students from arriving.
The sector earned nearly NZ$5 billion in the year to June 2026.
That was more than the NZ$4.4 billion earned before the pandemic in 2019.
There were 92,580 international student enrolments in 2025.
This was more than in 2023, but fewer than in 2019.
Universities and schools both saw more international students.
The government wants the sector to earn NZ$7.2 billion each year by 2034.
New Zealand’s international education export earnings reached nearly NZ$5 billion in the year to June 2026.
The figure exceeded the NZ$4.4 billion earned in the year to June 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
International student enrolments rose to 92,580 in 2025, up from 69,140 in 2023 but below 2019 levels.
University enrolments increased 14 percent, while school enrolments rose 9 percent, including a 22 percent rise in primary schools.
The government aims to increase international education export earnings to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034.
- Who
- New Zealand’s international education sector and Education Minister Erica Stanford.
- What
- International education export earnings rose to nearly NZ$5 billion, surpassing their pre-COVID level.
- When
- In the year to June 2026; the figures were announced on Friday.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- The increase is boosting the economy, supporting jobs and businesses, and driving activity in communities.
- Export earnings, year to June 2026
- Nearly NZ$5 billion
- Export earnings, year to June 2025
- NZ$4.3 billion
- Export earnings, year to June 2024
- NZ$3.5 billion
- Pre-COVID earnings, year to June 2019
- NZ$4.4 billion
- International enrolments in 2025
- 92,580
- International enrolment target for 2026
- 99,000 students
- Government earnings target for 2034
- NZ$7.2 billion