How does Tauranga grow a massive export industry that has already exceeded it's economic value targets by 35 per cent in the last three years?

At the moment more than 2700 international students inject $55 million into the local economy. It's a massive industry, the fourth largest export industry in New Zealand.

And on Friday, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Paul Goldsmith revealed a strategy to drive the industry forward for the next five years.

'The key strategic action area is based on market development,” says Anne Young of Education Tauranga, which is the organisation representing institutions from primary to tertiary that enroll and support international students studying in the region.

Anne says the new strategy will support the schools and tertiary institutes to deepen their engagement with the markets and to explore emerging markets.

'We need to develop our brand – how is Education Tauranga regarded in the global market and how can we make it more competitive and desirable.”

Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty has advantages in that is has all education options from primary through to tertiary, she adds.

'So there is an opportunity to pathway, something other regions can't or don't offer.”

There are also strategic actions areas related to work outcomes for tertiary students so they have the potential to work part-time or go into full-time work once they've completed studies. Some students take their qualifications home while others will stay as new migrants.

'It's really important for us to attract skilled and talented people into our own workforce.”

The region's lifestyle is obviously an attraction for international students.

'Other key areas are around experience, making sure international students have a good experience and a chance to connect with the local community.”

It's also about collaborating with other industries to capitalise on the full potential of the industry.

'For example, people who have been international students here have gone home, been successful and are looking for investment opportunities. Tauranga would obviously be a place they would want to invest because they know it.”

Nationally, overseas a students are a $4.28 billion industry and it's a rapidly growing industry. 'There's a huge demand for students to be able to speak English, study abroad and learn skills ion the western world,” says Anne.