International student market to face 'minimal impact' after the 7.8 quake

The international education market is expected to face "minimal" impact following Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Kaikoura.

Education New Zealand said it did not expect to face long-term damage to the country's international student market.

"We expect Monday's earthquake to have minimal if any long-term impact on New Zealand's international student market," a spokeswoman told the Herald.

"The earthquake was not centred near areas of high population density and its damage was not widespread. Two-thirds of international students are in Auckland, which was unaffected."

Education New Zealand said it had received no reports of any injuries to staff or students at schools, private providers or universities.

"Our international offices, in turn, have been closely monitoring traditional media and social media coverage of the earthquake in key offshore markets, which to date has been fairly balanced and informed."

New Zealand's international student market is dominated by Chinese and Indian nationals.

The international student market is New Zealand's fifth largest export category.

Education New Zealand said it encouraged international students scheduled to travel to New Zealand to contact their education providers for an update on its circumstances.