It's still too soon to tell how many international students will come here to study.

Fewer than 10 percent of five thousand spaces set aside for them have been filled.

Immigration New Zealand has told our newsroom 431 visas have been approved.

Otago University International Director Jason Cushen told Mike Hosking he's not surprised by the number.

“The border exception process requires a number of additional steps, including the nomination by an education institution and then the student submitting a request for travel before applying for their visa. So it does take some time.”

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