Shanghai Delegation Aims to Drive Student Recruitment

“At the end of 2025 international student enrolments from China recovered to about 75% of their pre Covid peak. Progress for the schools has been steady and we see this civic delegation as the opportunity to put Dunedin back on the map and in front of Chinese families who are looking at international education options,” says Antony Deaker, Enterprise Dunedin Economic Development Team Leader.

Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker is renewing the Sister City MOU with Shanghai Mayor Zhu Zhongming on 20 October. Cooperation in education is again a foundation in the now 32 year long relationship between the two cities. The Mayor is also meeting with leadership at the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and will witness the MOU signing between Columba College and Da Tong High School in Shanghai. These are all important signals to families and agents in Shanghai and China that Dunedin is a good friend at the highest levels, and that the city stands beside our schools in their efforts to recruit students and facilitate exchanges for students and staff.

In Dunedin, every high school but one hosts international students. The revenue brought by international student fees bolsters government funding and allows schools to offer all students better opportunities.

Steph Ashton, Deputy Principal at Queen’s High School says, "International education programmes create a win-win for our entire community. Beyond fostering cross-cultural understanding, these enrolments directly enrich the day-to-day learning environment for all our rangatahi by funding non-budgeted essentials – from modern sports and computer equipment to key facility upgrades that a truly holistic education depends on. At the same time, hosting offers practical financial support for host whānau navigating rising living costs".  

For Deaker, it is not just about supporting Dunedin schools, it is about the benefit to the wider community. “Treasury estimates that an international student contributes around $76,000 per year to the local economy. Some of this money covers tuition fees at schools, some of it goes to the families that provide homestay accommodation and the rest is spent predominantly locally. The financial benefit is seen across the whole city.

2024 research from Enterprise Dunedin showed that most host families enjoyed the experience of being city and cultural ambassadors for students, and felt their own children were enriched through the cultural exchange provided.

“There are also longer-term benefits too. Students spend part of their formative years here. They develop connections and often return. They are more likely to continue on to tertiary education here, more likely to return as tourists with their families. They often feel as though the city is like another home,” says Deaker.

The Dunedin delegation will be working to strengthen educational partnerships in Shanghai, and has representation from Dunedin schools. Hui Zhang, Enterprise Dunedin China Project Coordinator will be staying in China to support the work of education recruitment agents from Dunedin in various Chinese cities during October and November.

“The Shanghai sister city relationship is profoundly valuable to Dunedin. The education sector is just one that benefits, but it is one where the benefits reach a broad range of households directly. We are hoping to see an increase in Chinese students attending Dunedin schools as a result of this trip,” concluded Deaker.

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