Updated on: Sunday, February 06, 2011
Indian students form a major part of the international student community in New Zealand according to an offical report.
Nearly 9000 student permits have reportedly been issued to Indian students. First-time students accounted for more than half of all international students in New Zealand, the Department of Labour''s migration trends and outlook 2009-10 report said.
An Indian student, Sandeep Singh studying at the National Technology Institute in Auckland said New Zealand was becoming a popular choice for Indian students because it was vied as a "peaceful" and "an ideal destination to study".
Marketing manager Sheela Ansari said the institute had been focused on expanding for new student since 2007, and felt the Indian market was highly potential "to just keep growing".
According to the report, 10 percent overall growth in revenue was accounted from international students last year although student permits issued by Immigration New Zealand dropped from 73,766 in 2009 to 73,432 last year.
The report also added, over 60 percent of its students are from India.