KEY POINTS:
The Government says it wants a new approach to international education, and a discussion paper was issued today outlining ways to achieve its objectives.
"New Zealand needs a more integrated, sustainable and forward-thinking approach to international education which goes well beyond the traditional export education focus," said Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen.
"The International Education Agenda outlines this new approach while continuing to build on the achievements of recent years."
The Government decided in 2004 to invest $70.2 million promoting international education over five years.
More than 93,000 international students from 150 countries were studying in New Zealand in 2006.
While numbers have declined from a peak in 2002, the 2006 figure represents an 84 per cent increase since 2000.
The economic returns are about $1.9 billion annually, making it the third largest services export.
The paper is on www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.
- NZPA
