Universities have asked the government to exempt nearly 7000 of their students from its ban on travel from mainland China.
The ban is aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 and was extended over the weekend until next Monday.
The ban has stopped more than 11000 Chinese students flying here, including 6700 who are enrolled with universities.
Chris Whelan from Universities New Zealand told RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen the universities have asked government agencies to make an exception for their students.
