International postgraduate students will be allowed to enter New Zealand
New Zealand government announced in October that 250 international postgraduate students will be allowed to enter New Zealand and continue their studies.
The exemption will apply to existing PhD and postgraduate students who were outside the country at the time of the border closure. The eligible students need to be nominated by their education provider with the priority to be given to those who need to be in New Zealand for the practical components of their course.
New Zealand has closed its border in March as the country’s attempts to contain the virus. Later in July, the Government agreed to a NZ$51.6 million support package for the international education sector. The institutions were told that no new students would be arriving this year.
The education minister stated that the exemptions were a result of a balanced decision that recognises the vital role international education plays and will play in the recovery and rebuild of New Zealand. The health, safety and wellbeing of people in New Zealand remain the Government’s top priority, and tight border controls remain essential in order to protect the country.
The minister is aware of the concerns of the wider industry with other educational providers and private training institutions not included in the exemption. Still, the approach of the Government is a complex decision taking into consideration the necessity of quarantine facilities and the nature of bringing students back into the country. The Government will review next possible relaxation of the border restrictions, as and when it is safe.
The educational sector considers the government green light for these students positively as the students have committed to New Zealand and their universities and providers want to honour this.
The Ministry of Education is working with universities on student selection who should be contacting their providers firstly.
The international education was New Zealand’s fifth-largest export earner generating NZ$5 billion a year and supporting around 45,000 jobs before the pandemic.
