Foreign students could bring $30m
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International education in Northland could deliver up to $30 million a year to the economy, with the launch of a new strategy in Paihia.
The Tai Tokerau Northland International Education Strategy 2017-2027 lead by Northland Inc includes specific targets including growing international primary and secondary student numbers to 600 per year and boosting ter- tiary student enrolments to 900 per year.
This could see up to $30 million a year invested into Northland, according to the strategy. The strategy, launched on August 11, aims to build on the work of education providers already attracting international students to Northland, including NorthTec.
Northland Inc’s new board chairperson Karleen Everitt, from Paihia, says the strategy is just the beginning.
‘‘Education has an impact on their [the students’ lives], to be part of that is really humbling,’’ Everitt says.
‘‘Today our organisations come together, this is a wonderful opportunity and we have set a course for how we may work with one another and how we look across the shore and say nau mai, haere mai.’’
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Gold- smith says there is potential for international education to bring a range of benefits to Northland.
‘‘Many international students value the opportunity to experience tikanga Maori and te reo in an authentic setting,’’ Goldsmith says.
‘‘Lots of people can get an education around the world, but you can’t do it while bungy jumping off a bridge, fishing off the rocks, or racing up Ninety Mile Beach - it’s these lifestyle experiences that make New Zealand special.’’
NorthTec student Simon Shen spoke about how Northland is a great place to shape a person’s character, while Kerikeri High School student Caleb said he has made lifelong friends from all over the world from visiting international secondary school students. Education New Zealand provided funding for the development of the strategy through the Regional Partnership Programme.