With borders fully open, New Zealand is expected to regain its international students, tourists and investors, however, analysts predict a slow return of visitors in the short term.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland last week that the opening of borders was a significant moment.
“…we open our arms to tourists and students including from China – which prior to 2020 was New Zealand’s largest source of international students and second largest source of tourists. To those looking to make the journey… we welcome you,” Ardern said.
Speaking to Global Times, an expert with EIC Education, a Beijing-based educational consulting agency, predicted that the number of Chinese students studying in New Zealand is expected to see a significant rise in the first semester of next year. However, in the short term, he said that it was difficult for New Zealand to attract as many Chinese students as it did before the pandemic.
Another expert, from Beijing New Oriental Vision Overseas Consulting Co., confirmed this prediction, saying that despite New Zealand’s full border reopening, he has not received more inquiries.
President of the Chinese Association of Australian Studies and director of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University Chen Hong said that because New Zealand has long been a popular destination for Chinese tourists, students and investors, the nation is expected to regain its popularity among them in the long term.
With schools and universities in New Zealand keen on building their international student numbers back up, in their view the return of Chinese students cannot come soon enough.
