Winston Peters’ irresponsible comments risk damaging international education
Press Release – Independent Tertiary Institutions (ITI)

4 February 2015
For Immediate Release

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’ continuing attacks on foreign students risk damaging New Zealand’s reputation internationally and could cost hundreds of New Zealanders their jobs. Feroz Ali, Chair of Independent Tertiary Institutions (ITI), an industry body representing fourteen large private tertiary establishments, says such remarks are incorrect, irresponsible and potentially very damaging to a $2.85 billion industry.

“A senior politician who has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs should know much better,” said Mr Ali.

“Not many politicians could try and turn a 12% increase in international student numbers, around a $300 million boost to our economy, and hundreds more New Zealanders getting jobs into a negative story,” he noted. Mr Ali went through Mr Peters’ claims one by one.

“The New Zealand First leader claims foreign students are being promised they will be able to stay here permanently. However, that is not legally possible. It is correct that international students have the opportunity to move on to work visas and permanent residence if, and only if, they meet the standard criteria. If Mr Peters has proof that residency is being improperly promised then he should provide it to the relevant authorities rather than publicly smearing the entire sector,” Mr Ali said.

He added that “Mr Peters claims National had softened restrictions by allowing foreign students to work. That is not a new policy. International students have had the opportunity to work for some time but it has been expanded. The fact remains that New Zealand is still far more restrictive on international student work rights than most of our competitor countries such as Australia and Canada. Research shows that displacement of local workers is minimal and that for every three overseas students an extra New Zealand job is created. Cutting back international student numbers will cut back New Zealand jobs.

“Winston Peters’ arguments appear to be based on his assertion that overseas students are behind counters in our supermarkets and working in service stations. It is amazing he can assess their visa and residency status at a single glance. I also suspect his criticisms of international students do not include students from Germany, France or America. It is limited to Indian and Chinese students. In reality, many of the supposed ‘foreign students’ he glimpses across the counter are here on work visas, have permanent residency or may even be New Zealand citizens.”

Mr Ali concluded “international education is one of our key export sectors and one which is looking to double in size over 15 years. As a country, we should be taking a responsible but ambitious approach to growing student numbers and increasing the number of New Zealand providers operating off-shore. Criticism like these outbursts, which are not backed by evidence, will only damage our country’s reputation internationally, reduce student numbers and cost Kiwis jobs. The policy in this area should be based on evidence and what is best for New Zealand, not populism.”

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ENDS

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