There's an expectation it will take two years to get the number of international students in vocational education back to pre-Covid levels.

There were about 75-thousand international students in New Zealand last year - 40% less than a peak in 2016.

Vocational Minister Penny Simmonds says told Ryan Bridge centralising Polytech's into Te Pukenga is a big factor, as it caused a financial mess.

She says it's been a nightmare, which is being unpicked.

Te Pukenga is being disestablished by January, with power then going back to individual Polytech's.

LISTEN ABOVE

There's an expectation it will take two years to get the number of international students in vocational education back to pre-Covid levels.
There were about 75-thousand international students in New Zealand last year - 40% less than a peak in 2016.
Vocational Minister Penny Simmonds says told Ryan Bridge centralising Polytech's into Te Pukenga is a big factor, as it caused a financial mess.
She says it's been a nightmare, which is being unpicked.
Te Pukenga is being disestablished by January, with power then going back to individual Polytech's.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Penny Simmonds: Vocational Minister on international student numbers decreasing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5cbb149b-282e-45d7-9f0d-b2eb01333db5/transcript

The All Blacks are preparing for the third test in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. 

South Africa levelled the series in Cape Town, making this match effectively the decider, even though there is a fourth test in Baltimore. 

They're clashing at FNB Stadium in Soweto – the match kicking off at 3.10am Sunday.  

Former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick told Ryan Bridge that the team is finishing well, so they're doing something right. 

He says they just need to get the crucial moments in the first 20 to 25 minutes right. 

LISTEN ABOVE   

The All Blacks are preparing for the third test in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.&nbsp;
South Africa levelled the series in Cape Town, making this match effectively the decider, even though there is a fourth test in Baltimore.&nbsp;
They're clashing at FNB Stadium in Soweto – the match kicking off at 3.10am Sunday. &nbsp;
Former All Blacks Captain Sean Fitzpatrick told Ryan Bridge that the team is finishing well, so they're doing something right.&nbsp;
He says they just need to get the crucial moments in the first 20 to 25 minutes right.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sean Fitzpatrick: Former All Black previews the third Greatest Rivalry test against the Springboks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c741dc6c-8670-4e20-a0b2-b4ba01811f3a/transcript

The property market's remaining subdued with a suggestion it'll be a while until there's real growth in prices. 

Cotality data shows values on average fell by 0.4% over August, marking the fifth declining month in a row. 

It notes global geopolitical tensions, the OCR lifting, and the upcoming general election is contributing to market uncertainty. 

Real Estate Agent Rawdon Christie told Ryan Bridge the high amount of homes for sale is also probably supressing potential price increases. 

But he says they saw a pretty healthy August, as vendors are meeting the settled market where it's at. 

LISTEN ABOVE   

The property market's remaining subdued with a suggestion it'll be a while until there's real growth in prices.&nbsp;
Cotality data shows values on average fell by 0.4% over August, marking the fifth declining month in a row.&nbsp;
It notes global geopolitical tensions, the OCR lifting, and the upcoming general election is contributing to market uncertainty.&nbsp;
Real Estate Agent Rawdon Christie told Ryan Bridge the high amount of homes for sale is also probably supressing potential price increases.&nbsp;
But he says they saw a pretty healthy August, as vendors are meeting the settled market where it's at.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

Rawdon Christie: Real Estate Agent on the state of the property market, Cotality data showing prices fell by 0.4% in August

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/da4195ab-5f81-4e63-8672-b4ba017c2c97/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 4th of September 2026 the All Blacks take on the Springboks for their third test in Johannesburg, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick tells Ryan what we can expect. 

House prices continuing to fall for the fifth month in a row, real estate agent Rawdon Christie shares her thoughts. 

The ACT Party is calling for an end to race-specific placements at medical school, Warwick Bagg, Auckland University Dean of Medical and Health Sciences shares his thoughts on the policy. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the King, President Macron and PM Burnham attended the unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry last night at the British Museum. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           

LISTEN ABOVE   

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 4th of September 2026 the All Blacks take on the Springboks for their third test in Johannesburg, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick tells Ryan what we can expect.&nbsp;
House prices continuing to fall for the fifth month in a row, real estate agent Rawdon Christie shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
The ACT Party is calling for an end to race-specific placements at medical school, Warwick Bagg, Auckland University Dean of Medical and Health Sciences shares his thoughts on the policy.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the King, President Macron and PM Burnham attended the unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry last night at the British Museum.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 04 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9bffd749-48e4-4299-a688-b4ba015c3a5d/transcript

Penny Simmonds: Vocational Minister on international student numbers decreasing

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