International student enrolments at schools are up after declining for two years.
Ministry of Education figures show that 10,167 international students were enrolled on 1 March - an increase of 4% on last year.
Radio New Zealand's education correspondent says it was only the second increase in international student numbers since 2003, when the fall began.
Half the students are at schools in Auckland, mostly in secondary schools.
The Secondary Principals Association says the increase means schools will have more money available for teaching.
The ministry also says 749,601 pupils were enrolled at schools in March - 4450 more than at the same time last year.