You can only stay in New Zealand on a student visa for a maximum of four years. There are four ways that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) decides the length of your visa.
To 31 March of the following year, if you are a full fee-paying student if your programme of study is based on the New Zealand academic year, and you’ve paid your fees for the year.
Up to a maximum of four years if you are studying with an education provider that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has a Memorandum of Understanding with and the education provider supports a Length of Course visa.
Up to a maximum of four years if you are a full scholarship or fees scholarship student, your student visa is normally valid for the period of your award.
Up to a maximum of five years, if you have applied for a pathway student visa and the length of your intended study pathway is five years. Otherwise, your student visa is will be valid for the period of your study.