Home About

Your feedback will help us consider what advice we give to the Minister on the final version.

Draft document

A PDF version of the draft refreshed New Zealand International Education Strategy is available here.

Draft refresh - New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-2030 [PDF, 1MB]

Background

The International Education Strategy describes a future where international education can thrive and provide economic, social and cultural benefits for all New Zealand.

It sets out a path for international education. It builds on New Zealand’s quality education system and focuses on delivering both good education outcomes for international students and global opportunities for domestic students and our education institutions. The Strategy is underpinned by the International Student Wellbeing Strategy, and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system.

Current situation

New Zealand is reconnecting with the world. Borders are opening, and international education is ready to build back strong. The Government is committed to international education, and the wide range of social, cultural and economic benefits it gives New Zealand.

International education intersects with a lot of different areas and government portfolios, and can play a key role in helping New Zealand’s economic recovery from the pandemic. The refreshed Strategy sets a long-term vision that delivers on the Government’s broader priorities, such as trade and diplomacy. International education connects New Zealand to the world and helps to strengthen our overall reputation offshore.

The operating environment has changed

COVID-19 and the resulting border closures have had a huge impact on international education. There have been fewer international students studying onshore, and providers have been delivering education through delivery modes such as online and offshore for domestic and international students.

We want to strengthen strategic alignment

Since 2018, the Tertiary Education Strategy and Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities have been updated. A refreshed Strategy will also ensure alignment with these and other changes, including the Immigration Rebalance policy decisions and the Government’s broader objectives such as the Trade Recovery Strategy.

Multiple documents are guiding international education

The Strategy should continue to be the guiding light, setting the long-term vision for international education.

Since the Strategy was released, other documents have been produced that also guide international education – including the Strategic Recovery Plan for international education – and a draft high-value statement was developed. This means there are now multiple documents to guide international education.

We want to incorporate the high-value statement

The 2018 Strategy signalled a shift towards high-value international education, and in 2021 we consulted on a draft high-value statement intended to unpack and further clarify what this means. A refresh means we can incorporate this into the Strategy itself.

Proposed changes in the Strategy

Two phases

There are now two complementary phases in the refreshed Strategy: helping international education providers build back onshore offerings, and building capability and investment in a diversified international education future. This responds to the immediate needs of providers as the border re-opens, then builds on phase 1 with an increased focus on high-value and diversification that we can now accelerate towards.

Updated text

The text throughout the Strategy has been updated to reflect the new operating environment, the other documents that are guiding international education and to account for the work done and progress made since the 2018 Strategy was released.

Goal 2 wording

Goal 2 has been amended from ‘Achieving sustainable growth’ to ‘Ensuring international education is sustainable and resilient’. This is intended to reflect the greater focus on high-value international education and being able to manage any shocks that occur in the future.

Updated actions

The actions from the 2018 Strategy, and draft recovery plan, have been reviewed. Some have been carried into the new Strategy, while others have been amended to better reflect the current environment. There are also new actions. Some actions have been removed, where they have been completed or are BAU, or are not relevant or achievable now.

Next steps

Based on the feedback we receive through this consultation process, we will provide advice to the Minister of Education on the final version of the refreshed Strategy. Timeframes for the release of a final Strategy will be dependent on consultation and further analysis.

Online consultation

New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022

The deadline for feedback has been extended until 28 June 2022, to account for two public holidays.

Workshops

As part of the consultation process, we are holding workshops for those who are involved in international education. These are a chance for you to ask us any questions you have to help you prepare your feedback, as well as a chance to give us feedback in a workshop setting instead of or in conjunction with your survey response.

A schedule of planned workshops follows and includes a mix of online and in person workshops. This schedule may change, subject to the level of interest received. To register for a workshop, please click on the relevant link. After registering we will send you further details about the venue, or a link for the online sessions.

Online sessions

1 June 2pm – 4pm (online)

3 June 2pm-4pm (online)

7 June 10am-12noon (online)

8 June (10am-12noon (online)

Evenbrite link to register for online sessions

EdTech session

13 June (10am-12noon) (online)

This workshop is for those involved in EdTech, education publishing, or other businesses that market education products overseas.

Evenbrite link to register for the EdTech session

Learner session

13 June (2pm-4pm) (online)

This workshop is for learners, past, present, or future. We are keen to hear from international students in New Zealand, as well as New Zealand learners regardless of whether they have studied overseas.

Evenbrite link to register for the learner session

Christchurch

14 June (10am-12 noon) (Christchurch)

Evenbrite link to register for Christchurch

Wellington

15 June (10:00am – 12 noon) (Wellington)

Evenbrite link to register for Wellington

Auckland

16 June (10am-12 noon) (Auckland)

Evenbrite link to register for Auckland