MEDIA RELEASE

2 July 2003

Council has clear focus on foreign student industry

Auckland City Council's strategy and governance committee today finalised a contract to commit $40,000 to Study Auckland to continue attracting overseas students to Auckland. The committee also committed $20,000 to further research on the foreign student industry.

" We're allocating this extra money to analyse the industry in order to get a clear picture of the impact export education has on the city," says Councillor Mark Donnelly, chairperson of the strategy and governance committee.

Auckland attracts the country's biggest share of the estimated $1.7 billion foreign student industry, with at least $450 million coming into the city.

"This industry is a major part of the Auckland economy, providing at least 6,500 full time jobs. Council is delighted to be working with Study Auckland to capitalise on the economic growth the industry offers Auckland," says Mr Donnelly.

Auckland City will work in partnership with Study Auckland to comprehensively explore the role the student industry plays in Auckland, including social and cultural implications.

"We need to look at this market holistically, in order to deliver a quality of life for all our residents. We will work with Study Auckland and other tertiary institutions, as well as city planners and business people, on effectively managing our burgeoning foreign student industry," says Mr Donnelly.

"We welcome the continued support from Auckland City and look forward to working with council over the next year, particularly in organising a workshop for Auckland Business to target the international student market. It's important to remember that for every $1 spent on tuition, another $2 is spent in the community," says Susan Sawbridge, project manager Study Auckland.

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