The figures were included in the ''Economic Impact of International Education 2012-13'' report, which detailed the numbers of tertiary, secondary and primary students in the country and how much they contributed to the economy.
The report, commissioned by Education New Zealand, showed international students were worth $2.5 billion to the New Zealand economy in the 2012-13 year and the sale and delivery of New Zealand's education services and products offshore was worth $104 million.
Minister for Tertiary Education Steven Joyce welcomed the report.
''This is a very pleasing result which shows the value of international education increased by around $100 million, or 3%, compared to 2008,'' Mr Joyce said.
The report showed Auckland, which attracted 61% of students and 63% of onshore spending ($1.65 billion), was the dominant player in international education, followed by $195 million for Canterbury, $177 million for Wellington and $165 million for Otago.
Of the 91,732 full fee-paying students, 57,958 were based in the Auckland region, 6439 in Canterbury, 5483 in Waikato, 5419 in Wellington, 4930
However, Otago's economy was the second most reliant on the industry, with international education accounting for 1.7% of total GDP.
Auckland was most reliant, with 2.1% of GDP.
The report also noted Otago had the highest average spend by international students, due to its ''relatively high number of university students''.
Otago Polytechnic communications director Mike Waddell, who has helped develop a strategy with the Dunedin City Council and other providers to boost Dunedin's international education sector, said the figures were not surprising.
''I'm not surprised because we have got two leading institutions [Otago University and Otago Polytechnic] in this city, and from a quality perspective international students are selective,'' Mr Waddell said.
The report showed international education was ''really important'' to the region and if the city's new strategy was successful, the number of students coming to the region would grow.
