Wellington: The New Zealand government has formed a new category that will enable 250 international PhD and postgraduate students to make entry to New Zealand and study, in the country’s latest set of COVID-19 border exceptions.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of people in New Zealand remains the government’s top priority. Tight border restrictions remain critical to protecting New Zealanders against COVID-19 and ensuring that Kiwis can return home,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said via a statement on Monday, reported IANS.
Hipkins also serves as the minister of health. “There are many calls on the government to grant exceptions. So far around 10,400 exceptions have been granted for people such as essential health workers, other critical workers and family of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents,” the minister said.
New exceptions were announced only in September for some normally resident temporary visa holders, more partners of New Zealanders, and a limited number of veterinarians, deep water fishing crew and agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators, Hipkins said.
Monday’s relaxations was a balanced take that recognizes the vital role international education will play in New Zealand’s recovery and rebuild post the pandemic, the minister said. “It will enable us to welcome back a good portion of that PhD and Masters students who are caught off-shore, and who need to be in New Zealand to complete their work,” Hipkins said.
Students who hold/held a visa for 2020, and whose long-term commitment to study here was disrupted by COVID-19 will be given preference. Priority will be given first to those who need to be in the country for the practical components of their research and study, the minister said. He also said that the first students are likely to arrive in November 2020, with the majority arriving in 2021.
“Allowing these students to travel to New Zealand is a step in the right direction for the international education sector,” he said.
International PhDs and other postgraduate students make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s research and innovation systems and boost the global reputations and competitiveness of the institutions, the minister added.