Palmerston North plans to lure international students and boost economy by $80m a year

Palmerston North City Council wants to boost the value of international student education by 30 per cent by 2020. Photo / iStock

Hundreds more international students could soon flood into Palmerston North, and the wider Manawatu region.

The Palmerston North City Council wants to boost the value of international student education by 30 per cent by 2020.

That would mean $80 million a year would be injected into the local economy.

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith says it's time the region tapped into the growing industry.

He says a dedicated International Education Development Manager has been appointed to lead the charge.