The way we market ourselves to international students is to be reviewed, with three major players potentially being combined into one new organisation.
New Zealand spends $15.6 million a year on export education marketing, most of which is conducted via Education NZ, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Education.
The Herald understands one proposal being investigated is scrapping Education NZ and creating a new Crown entity.
International education contributes at least $2.1 billion to New Zealand's economy and supports about 32,000 jobs.
Tertiary Education Minister Steve Joyce said he hoped to have a decision made within the next few weeks. "We are looking at how best to get the best bang for our buck."
He confirmed disestablishing Education NZ, the sector umbrella body that manages New Zealand's international marketing brand, was one option being considered.
"If you split your investment money and resources across three organisations when you are already a small country with a small budget, are you going to achieve as much in a place like India or South America as you would with one focused agency that has the whole of our necessarily small budget at its disposal?"
Makeover for marketing of NZ to students
Photo / Mark Mitchell
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