Spending jump makes up for drop in foreign enrolments

International students at English-language skills spent an estimated $284 million in the year to March 31. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's export education providers will be meeting in Wellington today for a two-day conference to discuss ways to grow an industry that has so far appeared to be recession-proof.

Although fewer international students are enrolling in English-language schools, those here are making up for that by spending more of their time and money in New Zealand, according to the English Language Providers survey released yesterday.

Statistics New Zealand said a 14.2 per cent increase in the total number of weeks spent studying by all students was the main contributor to the increase in revenue and fees.

International students studying at English language schools spent an estimated $284 million in the 12 months to March 31, $41 million more than in the same period last year, Statistics New Zealand said yesterday.

They spent $142 million on tuition and related fees over the same period, up $20.7 million from last year - the third consecutive yearly increase.

The 18th annual International Education Conference - which has the theme "New times, New challenges: Coming, ready or not" - will include "practical sessions" such as marketing in a recession and taking care of international students, said Education New Zealand chief executive Robert Stevens.

"In this challenging environment we can't afford to be complacent," he said.

"In the past year, we have had a change of Government, a global recession and a flu pandemic to contend with. To survive, we must act in a co-ordinated way, and the industry recognises that."

Speakers at the conference will include Education Minister Anne Tolley, Immigration head Andrew Annakin and Qualifications Authority chief Karen Poutasi. Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe will deliver the keynote address.

The education market faced a major setback in 2003 with the slump in Chinese student numbers but that sector is now clawing back - increasing 31.8 per cent in the past year, from 23,632 to 31,140 - and is again the largest overall contributor to tuition and related fees in the March year.

Students from South Korea were the largest contributors in 2007 and 2008.

But the largest increase in expenditure was from Saudi Arabian students, whose spending increased $13 million or 137.2 per cent from last year, because of higher student numbers and longer periods of study. Enrolments in English language schools fell 6.8 per cent to 36,990 - with the largest fall being the number of Japanese students.

Mr Stevens said the industry was seeking a "New Zealand Inc approach" - and working in collaborative ventures with partners who might not seem obvious - to make it easier for foreign students to come.

* Export education

Fifth-biggest export industry - behind dairy, tourism, meat and minerals - generating $2.3 billion a year.

Forecast to grow to $3 billion in next five years.

Total spent by all international students - including those enrolled at primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions - was $1.33 billion for year ended March 2009, down $128 million from the previous year.