New Zealand Education and Training
Last published date:

Capital:  Wellington

Population:  5 million (July 2021 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 5,206 students studying abroad according to UNESCO.

 

CIA World Factbook

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

 

OVERVIEW

The United States recently surpassed Australia in 2019 to become the most popular study destination for New Zealand students.  During the 2020/21 academic year, 1,520 New Zealand students chose to study in the United States – a decrease of 18% from the previous year.  Most of this decrease is attributed to the global pandemic and numbers in the 2021/22 year are expected to increase. 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 2020/21 academic year, 58 % of New Zealand students in the U.S. were at the undergraduate level, 25 % at the graduate level, 16 % were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), and the remaining 1 % 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 400 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, rowing, running, 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, in order 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 and Australia are currently participating in a pilot program that allows exchange visitors from the respecting countries to have the opportunity to gain international cultural exposure and a work and travel experience for up to twelve months in the United States, and U.S. participants have the opportunity to work and travel in either Australia or New Zealand. The program provides a work and travel experience to qualified applicants who may not otherwise have such cultural exchange opportunities.

 

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, 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  

There are currently no local scholarship programs available for students to study overseas.

 

Best Prospects

High School, Undergraduate and OPT & Online Degrees

 

Best Student Recruitment Methods

Institutional, student outreach and online outreach  

 

 

EVENTS

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

 

RESOURCES

 

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT

Ian Walker, Commercial Specialist

U.S. Commercial Service – Auckland, New Zealand

Phone: + 64 21 222 1089

Email: Ian.Walker@trade.gov