By Videendra Miguel

Founder & CEO, ILTS Overseas Education

New Zealand's international education sector has reached an important milestone.

Recent data shows that international education generated approximately NZ$4.85 billion in spending by international students in the year ended March 2026, representing the sector's largest economic contribution to date. This follows education-related travel exports of NZ$4.52 billion in the year ended September 2025.

For those of us who have worked closely with New Zealand education for many years, these numbers tell a much bigger story.

They show that international education in New Zealand has not only recovered from the disruption of the pandemic, but it is also entering a new phase of growth.

But what I find particularly important is how New Zealand intends to grow.

From recovery to sustainable growth

The focus is no longer simply on bringing international student numbers back to where they were before COVID-19.

New Zealand's International Education Going for Growth Plan sets a longer-term direction for the sector, with a goal of doubling its economic contribution to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034. The plan also targets 105,000 international student enrolments by 2027 and 119,000 by 2034.

The key word, however, is sustainable.

New Zealand is seeking balanced growth across international markets while maintaining education quality, positive student experiences and public support for international education. Current strategy also emphasises market diversification, vocational pathways and the overall experience students receive while studying in the country.

In my view, this is the right direction.

International education should never be measured purely by how many student visas are granted or how many students enter a country. Its success should also be measured by what happens to those students after they arrive.

✅ Are they receiving quality education?

✅ Are they choosing programmes relevant to their career ambitions?

✅ Are they developing skills that employers need?

✅ Are they properly supported while adapting to a new country?

✅ And ultimately, does their international education create genuine value for their future?

These questions matter.

Students are also responding positively

Another encouraging indicator is student satisfaction.

Education New Zealand reports that 87% of international students rate their New Zealand experience positively. New Zealand is also gaining ground as a preferred destination: recent research found that 22% of prospective international students surveyed across key markets placed New Zealand among their top three study destinations—already reaching the preference target originally set for 2034.

That is significant.

Students today have more information and more choices than ever before. They compare countries not only on university rankings, but also on safety, cost, employability, work opportunities, lifestyle, immigration settings and their overall experience.

New Zealand therefore needs to compete on the quality of the complete student journey, not simply on the qualification itself.

What does this mean for Sri Lankan students?

For Sri Lankan students and families considering New Zealand, I believe these developments should be viewed positively, but also carefully.

A growing international education sector creates opportunities. However, choosing New Zealand should never mean choosing just any programme in New Zealand.

This is something I continuously emphasise to students:

Choose programmes that enhance your employability and align with your long-term career goals.

Your academic history, professional experience, proposed programme and future career should tell a logical story.

A student who already has substantial qualifications should carefully consider whether another general qualification genuinely adds value. Someone changing careers needs to be able to explain why that transition makes sense. Students pursuing postgraduate education should understand exactly what new knowledge and capabilities the programme will provide.

The objective should not simply be "How can I get to New Zealand?"

The better question is:

"How can a New Zealand education help me become the person and professional I want to be?"

That change in thinking can make an enormous difference.

New Zealand needs international students, and international students need good advice

International education is now firmly embedded in New Zealand's broader economic growth strategy. Education New Zealand's current market planning includes Sri Lanka among the markets for which it has developed 2026/27 go-to-market plans.

For education advisers like us, this growth also creates greater responsibility.

Our role cannot simply be to enrol students.

We need to help students understand their options, select appropriate programmes, prepare credible applications, and most importantly, make informed decisions about their future.

Having personally arrived in New Zealand as an international student, I understand that studying overseas is rarely just an academic decision. For many families, it represents years of savings, sacrifices and expectations.

That trust should never be taken lightly.

The next chapter for New Zealand education

I have been involved with New Zealand international education for many years, and I believe the current direction presents an important opportunity.

New Zealand has recovered strongly. International education is again making a substantial contribution to the country's economy, student satisfaction remains high, and the Government has established ambitious long-term growth objectives.

But numbers alone should not define success.

The real achievement will be if New Zealand can grow while continuing to protect education quality, student wellbeing and graduate outcomes.

For students, the message is equally important:

Don't choose a country simply because it is popular. Don't choose a qualification simply because it provides a pathway. Choose an education that has purpose.

When the right student chooses the right programme for the right reasons, international education becomes much more than studying overseas.

It becomes an investment in a person's future.