UnionPay expands payment access at New Zealand universities

UnionPay has expanded payment acceptance for Chinese students at the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University in New Zealand as the country seeks to grow its international education market.

The two universities now accept UnionPay for tuition fees and related expenses, giving Chinese students and their families another option for cross-border education payments. UnionPay linked the expansion to rising interest from China, New Zealand's largest source market for international students.

As New Zealand works towards its goal of doubling the value of its international education sector by 2034, attention has increasingly turned to the practical aspects of studying abroad. Payment arrangements have become part of that discussion, alongside visa settings, student support and the broader experience for families weighing the cost of overseas study.

Michelle Shao, Executive Vice President, South Pacific Division, UnionPay International, said payment processes can shape confidence in a destination when families are committing large sums to fees, housing and living costs.

"Families in China are making major financial commitments when they choose overseas education," Shao said. "Tuition fees, accommodation deposits and living expenses involve substantial cross-border transactions. When payment processes are smooth, familiar and secure, it reduces stress and builds confidence in the destination, such as New Zealand."

UnionPay said its cards and digital payment options are already familiar to many Chinese households, and that extending their use overseas gives students continuity after they arrive. Its network in New Zealand includes more than 90,000 merchant terminals and acceptance at 90% of cash machines, including in Chinese supermarkets and restaurants.

Student spending

The expansion into more university payment systems reflects a broader focus on the economics of international education. Chinese students contribute tuition income, housing demand and day-to-day spending, while younger students can also lead to longer stays and spending by accompanying relatives.

Chinese students in primary and secondary education accounted for nearly one-fifth of the Chinese student cohort in early 2025, according to UnionPay, suggesting some families are considering longer-term education pathways in New Zealand rather than only tertiary study. That trend can deepen economic links through repeat payments, living costs and family spending over several years.

UnionPay said reliable financial transactions have become more important as families weigh overseas study against a more uncertain global backdrop. Predictability across the full student journey can influence decisions at a time when households are paying closer attention to risk.

"By expanding UnionPay acceptance at leading New Zealand institutions, starting with the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, we are helping to remove friction from the payment journey," Shao said. "Students can use the same trusted payment methods they rely on at home, whether through UnionPay cards or digital wallets. This continuity matters."

Regional reach

Across the South Pacific, UnionPay said it is also accepted in the higher education sector in Australia. It pointed to Adelaide University, formed through the merger of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, as another institution where students can use the network.

For universities, payment access has become part of broader competition for international enrolments. Institutions have long marketed teaching quality, campus life and post-study opportunities, but they are also under pressure to make administrative processes easier for students arriving from overseas.

Shao said recruitment efforts aimed at China should not stop at marketing and admissions.

"In an environment where families are carefully managing risk, certainty is invaluable," Shao said. "New Zealand's stable visa policy and strong student care framework are powerful advantages. Payment certainty is the next layer."

She said education providers must think through the entire student lifecycle, including how families transfer money for tuition and daily living.

"Education providers looking to tap into the Chinese market must think beyond recruitment campaigns," Shao said. "They must consider the entire student lifecycle, including how tuition and living costs are paid."

UnionPay also said students using its network in New Zealand can access spending discounts and tuition fee rebates through card-linked promotions. It described those offers as part of a broader effort to support Chinese students from arrival through daily life in local communities.

"Chinese students contribute significantly to local communities, not just economically but culturally," Shao said. "By ensuring that financial infrastructure supports them from the moment they arrive, we strengthen people-to-people connections between China and New Zealand."