Government paying $69m for international PhD students, review under way

International PhD students pay the same tuition fees as New Zealand students, with the Government covering the gap. That subsidy cost $69 million last year — up nearly 25%. Education Minister Penny Simmonds said costs have risen over 20% annually for two years. The Education Ministry is reviewing the policy, which dates to 2005. Budget 2026 capped it at $56 million.