Wellington, Oct. 24 : International students will be able to stay in New Zealand longer to seek work under changes announced today.

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe was quoted by stuff.nz.com as saying the changes would allow many international students to stay in New Zealand on a job search permit for up to a year, instead of six months, while they looked for skilled work.

"There is increasing competition for skilled graduates and we need to allow them enough time to find a job in their area of expertise here in New Zealand and not run the risk that they will go elsewhere," he said.

"In many cases, these are precisely the type of skilled workers we need in New Zealand."

Cunliffe said architecture and accounting graduates, who needed three years practical work to achieve professional registration, would be able to stay for three years without applying for a new permit.

A third change would allow English language students to work in New Zealand while they studied.

Cunliffe said research indicated a significant number of international students were choosing to stay in New Zealand after studying here.

A study found that 27 percent of students who began study between 1999 and 2001 went on to gain residence or work here. Most did so through the business immigration stream. (ANI)