Government's response to Productivity Commission report

The Commission’s report highlighted a number of constraints and challenges across the tertiary education system. The response outlines the Government’s consideration of the report and the opportunities for improvement that have arisen from it. It lays out the Government’s plan for a world-class higher education system that promotes greater innovation, flexibility and responsiveness, while safeguarding our strong international reputation.

In its response, Government has set out its plan for action through four inter-related areas of focus that span the tertiary education system:

• Creating a more student-centred system
• Meeting the needs of industry through relevant, responsive, and supportive teaching
• Improving performance across the system
• Enabling and encouraging innovative new models and providers.

The work-plan signals potential opportunity for the international education sector. It sets out a plan for work to ensure the tertiary education system is open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. This will include consideration of potential changes to funding, regulatory and quality assurance arrangements, where this will lead to benefits for learners and for New Zealand. 

ENZ has contributed to the development of the Government’s response on behalf of the sector, and continues to work with other government agencies to ensure international education remains a key part of the resulting work plan.

This will be a significant undertaking. The Government will work with providers, employers, students and other stakeholders as it progresses the work. Engagement will begin soon, including through the development of a new Tertiary Education Strategy in 2018.