A recent newspaper investigation into the growing number of foreign fee-paying students raises some issues for timely reflection. This new population will not be permanent but it will continue to increase in numbers and make itself at home in New Zealand for the main purpose of intellectual advancement. It will be a rotating population but one that produces an increase in the total population. 

The new residents will stay in New Zealand forever?  T

The new residents will stay in New Zealand forever?  F

The new residents will stay in New Zealand forever?  NG

This new population will not be permanent but it will continue to increase in numbers and make itself at home in New Zealand for the main purpose of intellectual advancement. It will, in effect, be a rotating population but one that produces an increase in the total population at any one time. 

The main reason these people are in New Zealand is to progress academically. T

The main reason these people are in New Zealand is to progress academically. F

The main reason these people are in New Zealand is to progress academically. NG

If you think, as even some Asian students do, that Auckland is already too Asian (one in eight Aucklanders is now Asian), be prepared for it becoming too European or too South American. Our booming education industry still catches some locals by surprise and, depending on your point of view about racial diversity, it may or may not be of comfort to know that it has only just begun.

There are many Vietnamese people living in New Zealand.  T

There are many Vietnamese people living in New Zealand.  F

There are many Vietnamese people living in New Zealand.  NG

People from Auckland are surprised at the number of Asian students there are. T

People from Auckland are surprised at the number of Asian students there are. F

People from Auckland are surprised at the number of Asian students there are. NG

The success of the education industry has been happening for many years. T

The success of the education industry has been happening for many years. F

The success of the education industry has been happening for many years. NG

The only limitations to its growth will be the decisions and behavior of organizations serving these students from overseas who want to study here - whether it is English language or IT skills. I do not mean just the education function itself: it includes health, transport, property and entertainment. The list increases into all aspects of society as more students arrive from the major continents.

All students want to study English and IT. T

All students want to study English and IT. F

All students want to study English and IT. NG

My own company has grown 500 per cent in the past four years and our board is anticipating an even higher rate over the next five years. I see no reason we should consider industry growth expectations below this. Early next month we will open a new international language school in Queen St designed to give students internationally accredited English language skills so they can stay longer.

The writer’s company has increased in size over the last few years. T

The writer’s company has increased in size over the last few years. F

The writer’s company has increased in size over the last few years. NG

This one new school alone will inject an extra $60 million-odd annually into Auckland's economy. What does this industry growth mean? It could mean a $10 billion (contribution to gross domestic product) industry by the end of this decade, employing 100,000 New Zealanders directly and many more indirectly.

The country’s financial situation will benefit from overseas students. T

The country’s financial situation will benefit from overseas students. F

The country’s financial situation will benefit from overseas students. NG

There will be less jobs for native speakers in the future.  T

There will be less jobs for native speakers in the future.  F

There will be less jobs for native speakers in the future.  NG

The conditions which have created this opportunity are many, but underlying them all are the standards which shape education in this country. Some will argue that whimsical circumstances, such as a favorable exchange rate or our distance from the troubled areas of the world, have caused it all. But without the right internationally recognised education standards we'd have no such booming industry.

According to the writer, New Zealand's exchange rate and location underpin the opportunities available. T

According to the writer, New Zealand's exchange rate and location underpin the opportunities available. F

According to the writer, New Zealand's exchange rate and location underpin the opportunities available. NG