Foster-Bell Paul: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFoster-Bell Paul: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 December 2015. Volume:710;Page:8549. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]6.PAUL FOSTER-BELL (National) to the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment: What reports has he received on the contribution of international education to New Zealand?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment): Today I released the latest New Zealand International Education Snapshot report which shows the sector is continuing to grow strongly with international student enrolments up by just under 12000 in the first 8 months of this year to a total of 104418—that is an increase of 13 percent. These students bring a number of benefits for New Zealand. Firstly the economic contribution which is worth over $2.85 billion annually and employs over 30000 New Zealanders was specifically highlighted by Statistics New Zealand as a significant contributor to New Zealand’s trade surplus for the year to September. Secondly international student alumni are great ambassadors for New Zealand when they return to their home countries. Thirdly international education plays an important role in ensuring that New Zealand’s young students have the skills and abilities required for a successful globally connected economy.Paul Foster-Bell: What impact is international education having across New Zealand especially in regional New Zealand?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: A particularly positive highlight is the growth in international education in regional areas as well as the main centres. Education providers in the Bay of Plenty Waikato Canterbury and Auckland have all welcomed growth of between 15 and 18 percent with Nelson Taranaki and Northland experiencing double-digit growth in enrolments. International students add vitality to regional education institutions and additional growth in retail and service sectors of regional cities and towns through their spending on tuition fees and living expenses. This strong growth is testament to the efforts of education providers nationwide to delivering excellent education and providing outstanding study experiences to both domestic and international students.Mr SPEAKER: Before I call the next supplementary question I require less interjection coming from one particular quarter to my left.Paul Foster-Bell: How is the Government encouraging ongoing growth and increased diversity of students in the international education industry?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Last month I announced an additional investment of $2.76 million into initiatives to further boost the industry in regional New Zealand and help develop new international markets for students. Ongoing regional diversification is key to the resilience and further growth of the industry and the funding will strengthen regional partnerships and increase the spread of students across the country. The additional funding will also focus on market diversification exploring new partnerships in countries like Columbia and the Philippines that have the potential to become significant international education markets for New Zealand. Activity will also be stepped up in countries where New Zealand has existing educational ties including Viet Nam and the US.