New Zealand First demands relief for tertiary students from soaring students’ debt

One of the leading political parties has urged the New Zealand Government to look into the problems faced by tertiary education students in the country. The New Zealand First party alleged that the Governments’ policies are making students feel like second-class citizens and their debt-burden is now going out of control.

Explaining the plight of students, New Zealand First Education Spokesperson Tracey Martin said, “The New Zealand Union of Student Associations Income and Expenditure survey highlights the serious plight of our students and the real impact the government’s tertiary policy is having on them.” She said New Zealanders constantly hear young people are our future, our best and brightest. Under the current user pays education system, "we are burdening our future with debt and forcing our best and brightest overseas to the highest bidder.”

The spokesperson congratulated NZUSA for releasing the report and hailed the initiatives of NZUSA President, Rory McCourt and Executive Director Dr Alistair Shaw in highlighting the “government’s harsh approach” to tertiary education. She said New Zealand First rejects the current model that makes students borrow to live, as it constrains their opportunity and imposes a mortgage on their future as well as the nation.

Martin said almost all of the recommendations from the Survey are part of New Zealand First policy. The party will continue to work with McCourt and Dr Shaw to ensure the "plight of students don’t go unheard by the government,” added Martin.

Student debt

According to the Union of Students' Associations, tertiary students are facing the hardest times as graduates are forced to enter their working life with an average debt of about NZ$50,000 (AU$44, 000). Union of Students' Associations president Rory McCourt noted that student debt is spiralling out of control. Rising cost of living and course fees, coupled with inadequate income support are making the life miserable for all students, he said. He noted that student fees have gone up 31 percent in the last four years and that is not sustainable for students and families are carrying that debt on their shoulders.

The union said 90 percent of students have some form of debt and 28 percent students also incur debt on credit cards. McCourt noted that debt is taking a huge toll on students’ mental health and also destroying their quality of life.

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