New Zealand's education exports hit NZ$5 billion in 2026

New Zealand's international education export earnings reached nearly NZ$5 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2026. This marks three years of steady growth from NZ$3.5 billion in 2024 and NZ$4.3 billion in 2025, according to Education Minister Erica Stanford.

Foreign student enrolment is projected to reach 99,000 this year, up from 69,140 in 2023. While this remains below the pre-COVID peak of nearly 116,000 students in 2019, the sector is generating greater value per student. Minister Stanford noted that in 2019, around 116,000 students contributed NZ$4.4 billion, whereas this year's projected 99,000 students are contributing nearly NZ$5 billion.

Shift towards postgraduate study

A key driver of increased export value is a significant shift in the level of study among international students. Analysis from sector research firm Studymove shows postgraduate enrolments have more than doubled since before the pandemic.

Studymove's Keri Ramirez explained the change. Back in 2019 and 2018 the percentage of students who were enrolled in these post-graduate programs was very small in comparison to what it represents now, he said. The latest figures show 21,000 students in postgraduate programs and 24,000 in undergraduate programs as of 2025. In 2019, those figures were 27,000 undergraduate and only 9,000 postgraduate.

Minister Stanford also highlighted strong enrolment growth across other sectors. University enrolments increased 14% compared to the same period last year, while school enrolments grew 9%, including a 22% increase in primary school enrolments.

Strategic market focus and competitive settings

Education New Zealand, the government's international education agency, has pivoted its strategy to focus on a smaller number of key markets. Chief Executive David Downs confirmed the agency now targets 16 markets, with five categorised as growth markets: China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

While China and India remain the top two source countries, other markets like Sri Lanka and Nepal have entered the top ten. Downs attributes continuing growth to this focused market selection and to New Zealand's competitive policy framework.

He specifically cited work rights, visa policy, and visa processing times as attractive system settings. The country's reputation as a safe, welcoming, high-quality, and English-speaking destination also plays a major role. "We know the student experience in the country and the social license, the sort of acceptance of students, are both very positive," Downs added.

Targets for sustainable growth

New Zealand's International Education Going for Growth Plan sets clear targets for the sector. The strategy aims for 105,000 international student enrolments by 2027 and export earnings of NZ$7.2 billion by 2034. Officials believe both goals are well within reach, even as growth rates are expected to moderate.

"Growth will continue," said David Downs. The percentage growth will slow down a bit but we certainly see the next seven or eight years as a period of very steady and consistent growth. The key thing is we are very much not looking to just flood the market in a short-term sense.

Minister Stanford emphasised the government's commitment to maintaining this momentum. Our job now is to keep that momentum going, she stated. This involves backing education providers, ensuring competitive immigration settings, and promoting New Zealand in markets with the greatest opportunity.

The government views this sustainable, high-value growth as central to building a stronger economy. This is exactly the kind of growth our government is focused on as we build the future, concluded Minister Stanford. We want more high-value exports, more investment, more skilled people and a stronger, more productive economy.