Education Dunedin representatives, frustrated at having to "beg" for funding from the Dunedin City Council each and every year, have made a plea for the city's council to fund it as other local authorities have done.
At the council's annual plan hearing yesterday, Education Dunedin asked for $70,000 so its facilitator's role could go full-time, and for a review to see if efficiencies could be gained by aligning the organisation with Tourism Dunedin.
Education Dunedin chairman Stephen Higgs said the organisation, which represented the city and its education providers in the international student market, could cease to exist without additional funding.
A lack of funds meant the organisation could not compete with other regions in the field.
Education brings about $2 billion a year to the city.
"We lose credibility if we act individually, rather than collaboratively."
He believed education providers, the city and ratepayers would be considerably worse off without Education Dunedin.
While its members paid a subscription and costs towards travelling to education expos, further support was needed, he said.
Cr Richard Thomson said the council had been warning for years that Education Dunedin needed to be self-sustaining.
Members could be putting in a small amount of their profits from international students into funding the organisation, he said.
Education Dunedin marketing and administration manager Sue Radcliffe-Mason said their counterparts in other regions did not have to go back "year after year, begging for funds".
"It's completely bizarre that the council asks us to keep doing this when we are representing one of biggest industries in Dunedin."
The council funded Tourism Dunedin to tune of $1.2 million, which benefited city businesses, so "how was Education Dunedin any different?" she asked.
Education providers did not make a great deal of profit out of international fees but what they did make went towards providing extra student services.
As the organisation was doing the city a service it should be part of its strategic plan, she said.
