New Zealand’s international education sector is showing strong signs of recovery, with fresh survey results confirming that international students are not only returning but also thriving in their studies and communities here.
According to the 2025 International Student Experience Survey, a remarkable 87% of students rated their overall New Zealand experience positively, continuing the steady upward trend of recent years. Even more encouraging, the number of students who described their experience as “excellent” rose to 43%, up two points from 2024.
Enrolments Climb Steadily
The satisfaction results come alongside a healthy rebound in enrolments. Between January and April 2025, more than 63,600 international students were enrolled in New Zealand — a 16% increase on 2024, and nearly 50% higher than 2023. Every part of the education sector saw growth, with Private Training Establishments (PTEs) leading the way with an impressive 41% jump in enrolments.
China and India remain the top sources of students, followed by Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany. Notably, Sri Lanka and Nepal climbed the rankings significantly this year, reflecting shifting mobility patterns and growing interest from emerging markets.
What Students Value Most
When asked what made their experience stand out, international students highlighted:
- People and connections they’ve made in New Zealand (92%)
- Quality of education (90%)
- Smooth arrival and orientation (89%)
- Ease of study arrangements (87%)
- Overall living experience (87%)
Positive ratings around the visa process also improved, with 80% of students satisfied with the application process (up from 78% in 2024) and 74% rating visa processing times positively (a sharp rise from 64% the previous year).
The perception of New Zealand as offering good value for money is also climbing — from 65% in 2024 to 76% in 2025.
Building Belonging and Wellbeing
Education New Zealand (ENZ) Chief Executive Amanda Malu says the results show that New Zealand’s education sector is delivering more than just high-quality study opportunities.
“The fact that students continue to rate their experience here so highly is a credit to our providers and to the warmth of the welcome extended by our communities. It’s about more than enrolment numbers — it’s about belonging, wellbeing, and long-term value,” Malu said.
She emphasised that the recovery is steady and sustainable, not a sudden boom, aligning with the Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan.
Insights That Drive Change
Marie Clark, ENZ’s Director of Insights and Performance, highlighted the importance of the survey as a sector-wide tool.
“This is still the only national survey covering all subsectors of international education in New Zealand. With several years of data now collected, we’re gaining a clear, long-term picture of how students experience study and life here,” she said.
The ability to break down data by country, sector, and gender gives providers and policymakers valuable insights into what’s working — and where improvements can still be made.
Looking Ahead
With enrolments rising, satisfaction levels at record highs, and New Zealand strengthening its reputation as a welcoming and high-quality study destination, the future of international education looks increasingly bright. The challenge now is to maintain momentum and ensure that growth continues to be both thoughtful and sustainable — for students, communities, and the economy.
