International students in New Zealand have given the country its highest satisfaction rating yet, but finding work remains the weakest part of their experience. In Education New Zealand’s 2026 International Student Experience Survey, 90% of students rated their overall experience positively, up from 87% in 2025 and 86% in 2024.
Almost half (47%) rated it “excellent”. Both figures are the highest since the survey began in 2019, The PIE News reported.
About the survey
The survey is run by Education New Zealand (ENZ), the government agency that promotes New Zealand as a study destination. This year’s edition gathered responses from 6,129 students from more than 100 countries between 20 April and 24 May 2026, according to The Koala News. It covers students in schools, universities and other tertiary providers.
What students rated highly
| Area | Rated positively |
|---|---|
| People and connections | 93% |
| Arrival and orientation | 92% |
| Education | 91% |
| Living experience | 90% |
| Value for money | 78% |
| Work experience | 55% |
Students also gave strong ratings to their teachers and supervisors, with 93% describing them as supportive and respectful, and 91% said New Zealand is a safe place to live. ENZ found that the living experience had the strongest influence on how students rated their time overall, followed by education.
The weak spot: work
Work experience was the lowest-rated of the seven areas, at 55%, and the only one that did not improve on last year. Only 33% of students said it was easy to find part-time work while studying. Students were also less positive about the cost of living, tuition and international travel.
This is despite a recent change in the rules. Since November 2025, most students in tertiary education and in Years 12 and 13 at school can work up to 25 hours a week during term, up from 20, according to Immigration New Zealand. The extra hours are available, but many students are struggling to find the jobs.
ENZ chief executive David Downs called work experience “the standout challenge”, and said stronger links between education providers, employers and career opportunities were a priority. “Growth and student experience have to go together,” he said, according to The PIE News.
A country trying to grow
New Zealand wants more international students. Under its International Education Going for Growth plan, announced in 2025, the government aims to increase enrolments by 35,000 and nearly double the sector’s value to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034.
Enrolments are rising but have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels: 92,580 in 2025, compared with 115,705 in 2019. Student visa applications rose 24% in the first nine months of 2026, while the approval rate for applications made from outside the country fell from 82% to 74%, B2B News reported.
The results stand in contrast to neighbouring Australia, where the government is considering stricter financial checks and the country has fallen in popularity as a first-choice destination.
What students should know
Don’t count on part-time work to pay your way. With only a third of students finding jobs easy to get, plan your budget on the assumption that part-time earnings will be limited, especially in your first months.
Ask about careers support before you choose. Ask universities and colleges what help they offer with part-time jobs, internships and work placements, and whether your course includes industry experience.
Check the work rules for your visa. Work rights depend on your course and visa conditions. Always check the latest rules with Immigration New Zealand. This article is general information, not immigration advice.
Sources: Education New Zealand, 2026 International Student Experience Survey, as reported by The PIE News, The Koala News and B2B News, 2–3 November 2026; Education New Zealand, 2025 survey results, 29 September 2025; Immigration New Zealand, changes to student visa work rights, 21 October 2025. Checked on 5 November 2026.