Northland benefits from international education, report shows.

When Vinkal Gaur, from India, met Rhonda Brodie, NorthTec director international, he decided Whangarei would be the place for him to study. Photo / John Stone

Vinkal Gaur spent nearly nine years working as an accountant in India before moving to Northland.

He studies; buys groceries; pays rent; and works in Whangarei.

He is one of many international students adding value to Northland's economy, a report shows.

The report on the Economic Impact of International Education in Northland for 2015/16, produced for Education New Zealand, showed 551 international students in Northland spent an average of $26,036 per year: $18,910 on living costs and $7126 on tuition fees, and earn an average of $564.

The report also says industries that supply goods and services to international students, such as polytechnics, retail, restaurants, medical services and public transport, generate $6.6 million, and 63 jobs are created as a direct result of international education.

If you include indirect effects, for example if the education institute buys stationery, and induced effects, if a teacher who works for the education institute buys groceries, those figures rise to $9.4m and 95 jobs.

Mr Gaur, who is from Haryana, India, had been working as an accountant for nearly nine years but always wanted to study sports.

He went to an education agent in India and NorthTec was shortlisted. In April 2016 he met Rhonda Brodie, NorthTec director international, who happened to be in India at the time.

Mr Gaur, 31, arrived in Whangarei in January to study a two-year Sport and Recreation diploma at NorthTec.

"The same course was also offered at AUT but I realised at AUT there would be a lot more students than NorthTec.

"It's lovely here. I have never been a big city guy. I love the countryside I have been to Auckland and it is too crowded for me. I like it here."

International education is New Zealand's fourth-largest export industry and nationally the economic value is made up of $4.04 billion from international students studying in New Zealand, and $242m from services delivered offshore.

Mr Gaur's course fees are $18,000 per year and he pays $325 rent per week. He also spends money of groceries and drives a car here.

He is living on his life savings but recently started working at Bream Bay Glass.

Ms Brodie said there had been a push from Education New Zealand to bring more international students to Northland and other regions.

Last year about 11 per cent of NorthTec students were international students.

"The funds we get from international students goes to a range of things from improving buildings to improving infrastructure for all our students," she said.

Ms Brodie said other benefits include improving cultural awareness for domestic students who interact with international students and learn more about the culture, and for international students who learn more about New Zealand culture.

Mr Gaur said his plan so far is to finish his diploma and then study a bachelor's degree at AUT.