New Zealand international student satisfaction hits record high but jobs remain a challenge

International students in New Zealand have given the country their strongest satisfaction ratings since national surveys began in 2019, with nine in 10 reporting a positive experience. However, the glowing assessment comes with a significant concern: finding part-time work remains a major hurdle for students trying to balance education with the cost of living.

The 2026 New Zealand International Student Experience Survey, released by Education New Zealand (ENZ), found that 90% of respondents rated their overall experience positively, up from 87% in 2025. Nearly half (47%) described their experience as “excellent”, also the highest proportion recorded since the survey was launched.

The survey gathered responses from 6,129 international students representing more than 100 nationalities, with both education and living experiences achieving record-high ratings. Education received positive ratings from 91% of respondents, while 90% expressed satisfaction with their living experience. ENZ said the quality of students’ living experience had the strongest influence on overall satisfaction, followed by their education.

People and connections emerged as the highest-rated aspect, with 93% of students expressing positive views. The arrival and orientation experience also reached a record 92%. Students were particularly appreciative of the support they received from academic staff, with 93% describing their teachers, supervisors and tutors as supportive and respectful. Meanwhile, 91% rated New Zealand positively as a safe place to live.

ENZ chief executive David Downs said the findings reflected students’ appreciation not only of the education they receive but also of the relationships and experiences they build in the country.

“Students have delivered a pretty clear verdict. They value the education they receive here, however, just as importantly they value the experience of living here and the connections they make with people,” Downs said.He stressed that international education was about more than attracting students, adding that ensuring a positive experience throughout their stay was equally important.

Employment emerges as biggest concern

Despite the encouraging overall findings, access to employment opportunities remains a weak point in New Zealand’s international student experience. Work experience was the lowest-rated of the seven areas assessed, with only 55% of students giving it a positive rating, unchanged from 2025.

More significantly, just 33% said finding part-time work while studying was easy, highlighting the employment difficulties confronting international students in an already challenging labour market.

Downs described work experience as the survey’s most prominent concern, calling for stronger connections between educational institutions, employers and career opportunities.He said students were also struggling with the rising cost of living and difficulties accessing certain support services, underscoring the need to address practical concerns alongside academic quality.

Cost pressures remain a concern even as perceptions of value for money improved to a record 78%. Students, however, continued to express reservations about the costs of living, education and international travel.

Growth ambitions hinge on student experience

The findings come at a crucial time for New Zealand as it seeks to expand its international education sector and strengthen its position as a preferred destination for overseas students.

The government's International Education Going for Growth plan, announced in 2025, aims to attract an additional 35,000 international students and nearly double the sector's economic contribution to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034. Measures such as increased working hours for international students and expanded post-study opportunities form part of the country's strategy to revive enrolments and attract global talent, while maintaining quality and sustainability.

Downs said the country's growth ambitions would depend on its ability to preserve the positive experiences that attract students while addressing the shortcomings highlighted in the survey. “Growth and student experience have to go together,” he said, adding that protecting what students value and responding to areas requiring improvement would be essential for sustainable growth.

New Zealand's international education sector is already showing signs of a strong financial recovery. Export earnings have climbed to NZ$4.98 billion, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of NZ$4.403 billion recorded in the year to June 2019. Student enrolments, however, have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. The country recorded 92,580 international student enrolments in 2025, significantly below the 115,705 registered in 2019.

Enrolments are expected to reach around 99,000 in 2026, signalling a gradual recovery as New Zealand seeks to attract more students while ensuring that a quality education is matched by affordable living and meaningful career opportunities.