The umbrella body for universities has published a report it says shows the value of universities to the national economy.
The report for Universities New Zealand says the Government could permanently increase GDP by $370 million if it spends $200 million more on universities during the next five years.
It says the increase in GDP would come from having more skilled workers who are likely to get higher-paid jobs and are less likely to be unemployed.
The chairman of Universities New Zealand, Derek McCormack, says the report is not a pitch for more government money.
It was published on Thursday evening, just two days after the Government announced a $55 million increase in its spending on universities during the next two years.
