Nats: Let unis handle quarantine
National wants international students to return to the country immediately, with universities handling quarantine instead of the Government.
Currently only New Zealand residents or citizens are able to enter New Zealand, with some narrow exemptions.
Those who do enter must go through two weeks of Government-managed self-isolation in a hotel.
National’s deputy leader and education spokeswoman Nikki Kaye said the Government needed to move faster to bring back international students, worth around $5 billion a year to the economy. Her party’s plan would see students pay for their own Covid-19 testing in their home countries and then twice on arrival – once when entering quarantine and once when leaving.
This quarantine would be managed by universities instead of the Government, however. Their processes would be audited by the Ministry of Health.
Kaye said this process – with three tests – was more rigorous than what returning Kiwis were subjected to, as was proper.
‘‘New Zealand education providers have suffered a significant financial loss.
‘‘Some estimates suggest our universities could see a combined loss of up to $400 million in revenue a year if they are not able to bring in international students,’’ Kaye said.
‘‘International students contribute about $5 billion a year to the New Zealand economy and support around 50,000 jobs.
Most of this money doesn’t come from tuition fees but rather from spending on accommodation, food, tourism, entertainment and living costs, all of which support Kiwi businesses and Kiwi workers.’’
Tertiary education spokesman Shane Reti said less international students would hurt the quality of education for Kiwis.
‘‘This hurts the quality of education that can be provided to New Zealanders as it means there is less to pay for staff, facilities, research or to allow lower tuition fees for domestic students,’’ Reti said. ‘‘Bringing back international students is incredibly important for our universities, polytechnics and PTEs.
‘‘A National government would be working hard to ensure we had international students back in the country as quickly as possible so our education sector can stay afloat.
‘‘This policy may evolve depending on how technology evolves around testing. We also expect as country border arrangements are implemented that some international students may come through those arrangements.’’
Universities have been calling for a way in for international students since the border was shut with China early on in the Covid-19 crisis.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins told media in early May that the Government was working to enable the return of international students.
He noted that students, unlike tourists, would likely be happy to go through the two-week quarantine process.
Under National’s plan new international students would not be able to work for 20 hours a week as current ones are able to, in order to stop them competing with Kiwis for jobs.