Housing gripes mar growing Kiwi support for overseas students

Public support for overseas students is on the rise in New Zealand, with an overwhelming majority of Kiwis now convinced of the economic benefits of international education, but the impact on housing shortages remains a concern.

A survey of 1,100 New Zealanders has found that 77 per cent believe foreign students contribute to the country’s economic growth, up from 47 per cent when polling began in 2016.

More than two-thirds also think that overseas students bolster the workforce and subsidise educational facilities for New Zealanders, compared with less than half in 2016.

The proportion of Kiwis who believe international students bring valuable new perspectives into classrooms has also climbed markedly, while just 24 per cent think the visitors reduce locals’ job opportunities – down from 34 per cent in 2018.

But infrastructure remains a key obstacle to public support, with only 32 per cent of respondents saying the country’s housing, transport and medical services are equipped to accommodate international students – down from 40 per cent in 2018.

The survey, by Education New Zealand (ENZ), identified the supply of affordable housing as the third-biggest issue of concern generally for Kiwis, after living costs and health.

Report author John Wren said there had been a “gradual positive shift” in New Zealanders’ appreciation of the economic and cultural benefits of international education, but “persistent challenges…remain to social licence support for international students in the country”.

Widespread global anxiety about accommodation supply, and an associated antipathy for international students, is largely a post-pandemic phenomenon. In New Zealand the issue has longer roots, particularly in the major population centre of Auckland.  

Housing was identified as the top public concern about international education in both the 2018 and 2019 surveys, with affordability seen to be “spiralling out of control” because of competition from “richer” overseas students.

Respondents told the surveyors that overseas students and their families were forcing prices up by outbidding locals. “Many foreign students are funded by their parents and thus are able to offer more,” one said. “Most of them are buying the affordable apartments [in] major cities and sub-letting…to other students,” claimed another.

ENZ’s head of communications, Geoff Bilbrough, said the latest research had “identified some challenges [but] the definite trend in awareness of the benefits [from] international students…is very positive for the future”.

A separate survey of almost 5,000 international students has revealed similarly upbeat results, with 84 per cent rating their overall experience positively. Thirty-three per cent branded it “excellent” while just 6 per cent said it had not met expectations.

However, the research found “tentative evidence” that students’ satisfaction with their living experience was in decline – with housing the biggest gripe. Ease of finding accommodation received a higher “poor” rating than any other factor, including cost, access to services, ease of travel and visa delays.

Mr Bilbrough said the overall results augured well for the sector’s post-pandemic recovery – particularly the 83 per cent who said they were likely to recommend New Zealand as a study destination. “This word-of-mouth testimony builds resilience for New Zealand as an international education destination,” he said.

The country’s eight universities will be hoping he is right. Tertiary Education Commission figures show that their collective earnings from international fees and charges fell by 27 per cent between 2019 and 2022.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com