PFL AT EDUCATION NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE - August 2010

Trevor Masters, PFL Australasia Regional Director, recently attended Education New Zealand’s annual conference in Christchurch.

Export education has grown to become New Zealand's fifth biggest export earner, worth more than NZ$2 billion a year to the economy.

This was Trevor’s third ENZ conference and he came away feeling that there are further positive changes on the horizon. Just 10 years ago, New Zealand was almost exclusively an English language study destination, with students coming mainly from Japan. Today, students come from all over the globe to study courses at every level of the education sector.

The Minister for Tertiary Education Hon. Steven Joyce would like export education to move up to New Zealand’s fourth place export earner which clearly involves increasing overseas student numbers. The new Deputy Chief Executive for Immigration NZ, Mr Nigel Bickle, gave a very positive presentation and is already making some very positive changes. Mr Bickle is aware that one of the main problems with student visas for NZ is the amount of time that it takes to get one. He is working towards faster processing times.

Education New Zealand themselves are as supportive as ever and are working on many initiatives to increase student numbers into New Zealand.

PFL are now recruiting students for next year’s NZ semester 1 intake (February 2011). If you are considering studying in New Zealand or would like further information, please contact your local PFL counsellor today.