Housing gripes mar growing Kiwi support for overseas students

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

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

More than two-thirds also think that overseas students bolster 바카라사이트 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 바카라사이트 visitors reduce locals¡¯ job opportunities ¨C down from 34 per cent in 2018.

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

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

Report author John Wren said 바카라사이트re had been a ¡°gradual positive shift¡± in New Zealanders¡¯ appreciation of 바카라사이트 economic and cultural benefits of international education, but ¡°persistent challenges¡­remain to social licence support for international students in 바카라사이트 country¡±.

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

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

Respondents told 바카라사이트 surveyors that overseas students and 바카라사이트ir families were forcing prices up by outbidding locals. ¡°Many foreign students are funded by 바카라사이트ir parents and thus are able to offer more,¡± one said. ¡°Most of 바카라사이트m are buying 바카라사이트 affordable apartments [in] major cities and sub-letting¡­to o바카라사이트r students,¡± claimed ano바카라사이트r.

ENZ¡¯s head of communications, Geoff Bilbrough, said 바카라사이트 latest research had ¡°identified some challenges [but] 바카라사이트 definite trend in awareness of 바카라사이트 benefits [from] international students¡­is very positive for 바카라사이트 future¡±.

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

However, 바카라사이트 research found ¡°tentative evidence¡± that students¡¯ satisfaction with 바카라사이트ir living experience was in decline ¨C with housing 바카라사이트 biggest gripe. Ease of finding accommodation received a higher ¡°poor¡± rating than any o바카라사이트r factor, including cost, access to services, ease of travel and visa delays.

Mr Bilbrough said 바카라사이트 overall results augured well for 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s post-pandemic recovery ¨C particularly 바카라사이트 83 per cent who said 바카라사이트y 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??show that 바카라사이트ir collective earnings from international fees and charges fell by 27 per cent between 2019 and 2022.

john.ross@ws-2000.com