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New Zealand Education and Training Services Industry Snapshot
Last published date:

Capital:  Wellington
Population:  5.1 million (2022 est.)
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $215.6 billion (2020 est., in 2017 dollars)

Currency:  New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Language:  English (de facto official), Māori (de jure official)

 

UNESCO Student Mobility Number

New Zealand has 5,038 students studying abroad according to UNESCO.

 

CIA World Factbook

32.55% of New Zealand’s population is under 25 years of age.

OVERVIEW

Since 2019 the United States has become a more popular study destination for New Zealand students than Australia.  During the 2021/22 academic year, 1,539 New Zealand students chose to study in the United States – an increase of 1.3% from the previous year.  The small increase can be attributed to the global pandemic and the length of time that the New Zealand border was essentially closed. Numbers in the 2022/23 year are expected to increase further. Students pursue undergraduate degrees and optional practical training studies related to their academic field after their degree studies.

California, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii are the most popular destinations for New Zealand students. However, New Zealand students are currently studying in 49 of the 50 U.S. States (Open Door 2021), at almost 400 U.S. higher education institutions.

In the 2021/22 academic year, 58% of New Zealand students in the U.S. were at the undergraduate level, 26% at the graduate level, 15.5% were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), and the remaining 0.5% were on non-degree programs.

OPPORTUNITIES

College Athletics: The opportunity for student-athletes to earn an athletic scholarship is a significant driver for undergraduate students interested in studying in the United States. New Zealand is a top-10 sending country for student-athletes. Currently, there are more than 477 New Zealand student-athletes studying at NCAA Division I and II institutions. Students participate in the full range of NCAA offerings, but the top sending sports are soccer, basketball, tennis, track & field, golf, and swimming.  

Student-athletes who have been asked to start in January after finishing New Zealand high school in December may now be eligible for early release of their results from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to speed up the admissions process.  

Short-Term Study Abroad Programs: One-two semester study abroad programs are popular with New Zealanders who want the experiences that come with studying abroad but are not looking to travel abroad for their entire degree.

Graduate Studies: Students from New Zealand are generally interested in pursuing advanced degrees at U.S. higher education institutions in the fields of law, business management, and advanced science degrees.

Summer Work and Travel Program: New Zealand is currently participating in the Summer Work & Travel Program that allows exchange visitors from the respective countries to have the opportunity to gain international cultural exposure and a work and travel experience in the United States while U.S. participants can work and travel in New Zealand. The program provides a work and travel experience to qualified applicants who may not otherwise have such cultural exchange opportunities. New Zealand students on this Program can spend up to 4 months in the U.S.

Websites and Digital Content: Websites and digital content are going to play a prominent role in the decision-making process for international students looking to study abroad. Since potential students from New Zealand are unlikely to be able to tour your campus in person, making sure that your school’s website and digital media offer genuine insight into your institution is very important.  

  • Storytelling: Video content offering virtual tours and interviews are excellent ways to help build emotional connections between your institution and potential students. 
  • Alumni focus: Highlighting your alumni from, or currently working in, New Zealand are also ways to highlight how their time at your institution prepared them for their current jobs.  

Armchair Recruitment: Your university alumni in New Zealand are most likely going to be your institution’s most enthusiastic supporters. Utilizing local alumni as brand ambassadors is a low cost-approach with a strong rate of return. Engaging your alumni network to give talks, interviews, and participate in recruitment activities are important in geographically remote markets like New Zealand.  

Social Media: New Zealand students are regular users of Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, so for example, highlighting your alumni in social media postings and marketing material are helpful when recruiting students from New Zealand.  School Counselors mainly use Facebook and e-mail for their communications.    

Local Scholarships Programs: Fulbright New Zealand offers a number of awards for graduates, writer’s, visual artists wanting to study in the U.S., and those wanting to focus on indigenous development and innovation.

Best Prospects: High School, Undergraduate and OPT & Online Degrees

Best Student Recruitment Methods: Institutional, student outreach, online outreach, current student success stories and alumni spotlights. Counselor engagement is also encouraged.

EVENTS

EducationUSA New Zealand Events:  https://www.facebook.com/educationusanz/events/

New Zealand International Education (NZIEC) Conference 2023

Christchurch, New Zealand - August 16-18, 2023

https://www.nziec.co.nz/

Normally an annual event that takes place around August.

 

Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ) Conference 2023

Auckland, New Zealand - September 27-29, 2023

https://flanz.org.nz/conferences/2023-conference/

RESOURCES

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT

 Jonathan Watt, Commercial Specialist

U.S. Commercial Service – Auckland, New Zealand

Email: Jonathan.Watt@trade.gov

Phone: +64-9-303 2724 ext. 2997 | DDI +64-9-304 4307 | Mobile: + 64 21 222 1089

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