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9 March 2010 - Minister's signals worry students
Student leaders are concerned at changes afoot in the tertiary sector, following comments by new Minister for Tertiary Education, Hon Steven Joyce, in his first speech in the role this morning where he outlined the introduction of performance-based funding and signalled restricted access to student loans. |
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9 March 2010 - Women students demand action on gender pay gap
Women students are expressing concern over research released today by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs that shows female students face a gender pay gap just one year after entering employment, and are calling on the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, to take action. |
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7 March 2010 - NZUSA...coming to a town near you
National student leaders will be helping students save their services as they visit campuses around the country this month. |
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5 March 2010 - Students welcome support for student services
As orientation weeks around the country wrap up this week, tertiary students can take heart that the
wider community supports strong student services and maintaining their quality of education. |
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1 March 2010 - Books are opened, but opportunities close
Tertiary students start classes this year amid growing concern at increasing threats to open access to
universities.
“It’s great to see so many new students starting classes nationwide this week and last week. Ensuring
as many students are able to succeed is integral to having a better-educated and highly-skilled society and economy,” says NZUSA co-president David Do. |
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17 February 2010 - Students Reject Appalling TVNZ Generalisation
Student leaders reject the appalling generalisations cast on students by an unbalanced story on the
student loan scheme, aired on TVNZ’s ‘Close Up’ programme Tuesday evening.
Three tertiary students were profiled in the report discussing their borrowing from the loans scheme,
and investing this money rather than using it for living costs, as intended by the scheme. |
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9 February 2010 - Threats to Funding? Students Say No
Students are alarmed at hints to future cuts to tertiary education funding contained in the Prime Minister’s opening statement to Parliament today.
“While we support the government’s intention to work with the tertiary sector to ensure high
quality tertiary education, this should not come at the expense of hard working students,”
says NZUSA co-President David Do. |
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2 February 2010 - Students call on PM to reaffirm no interest
NZUSA is calling on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to interest free student
loans, following comments by the Prime Minister this morning |
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26 January 2010 - Students welcome new Minister
The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) welcomes the
appointment of Steven Joyce as the new Minister for Tertiary Education today and
looks forward to working with him productively to maintain quality and access to
tertiary education for all New Zealanders. |
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25 January 2010 - Students to draw inspiration
Student leaders from universities and polytechnics around the country are
converging in Wellington this week for the New Zealand Union of Students’
Associations (NZUSA) January Conference |
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6 January 2010 - 2010 National student leaders elected
As students return to campuses nationwide later this year, their interests will be defended and represented by strong leadership in Wellington.
The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) has new national officers for 2010. David Do and Pene Delaney are the NZUSA co-Presidents, and Sophia Blair the NZUSA National Women’s Rights Officer. |
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15 December 2009-Passing of Polytech Bill - a blow to education
Student leaders today are appalled at the passing of the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill as it
signals drastic changes for Polytechnics and removes the voice of students in governance level decision making, and are questioning the rushed and poor process with which this Bill has been pushed through.
“The long history of positive contribution of student representatives to governance of Polytechnics has been completely trampled over today and as result, the voice of students at their local Polytechnic are at
risk of being completely ignored,” said Sophia Blair, Co-President of New Zealand Union of Students’
Associations. |
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24 November 2009 - Student Rep Positions Not Safe
Student leaders are today writing to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Hon Anne Tolley, outlining their concerns over proposed amendments to the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill that places highly regarded student representative positions on Polytechnic Councils in jeopardy. |
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20 November 2009-Students Outraged at Polytech Goverance Changes
Student representatives are outraged at today’s release of an Education and Science Select Committee report on a Bill which will fundamentally alter the nature and quality of Polytechnic Councils.
“The Select Committee heard many strong and convincing arguments demonstrating the flaws and complete inappropriate nature of what was being proposed, and to have this not only ignored but the Bill now made significantly worse is appalling and totally unacceptable”, said Jordan King, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. |
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16 November 2009 - Australian Student President Visits NZ
David Barrow, President of the National Union of Students (NUS) in Australia, is the special guest of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations this week, undertaking a speaking tour with student leaders, the tertiary sector and political parties. |
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24 September 2009 - Attacks on Polytechnics Unacceptable
The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) is supporting the actions of students around the country as they fight against the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill.
“This Bill follows quickly on the heels of under-funding, increasing competition from the private sector and cuts to Adult and Community education,” said Sophia Blair, NZUSA Co-President. “These actions represent a concerted and appalling attack on the Polytechnic sector by the National-led Government and will be met with strong opposition,” said Blair. |
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23 September 2009 - Students vow to protect student services
Student leaders are reminding Members of Parliament of the flexibility and choice regarding membership of students’ associations already enshrined in legislation, as Roger Douglas’ Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill comes up for its’ First Reading today.
“This Bill is primarily about student choice and freedom of association – two principles already supported and protected in law,” said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “When the current law is flexible and inclusive, allowing for a variety of forms of membership, and when the majority of students are happy with the status quo, we do question the need for this Bill at all, and therefore recommend Members of Parliament vote it down today,” added Blair. |
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23 September 2009 - Douglas' Bill will put students at risk
Student leaders are today disappointed that Parliament has voted Roger Douglas’ completely unnecessary Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill through to Select Committee following its First Reading in the House, but are confident that MPs will, through the select committee process see sense and not support the Bill any further.
“Students’ associations have a long and deep history in New Zealand and are a key part of the fabric of tertiary campuses. Universal membership has shown it works, is completely valid and is totally necessary for the wellbeing of students,” said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “We will be fully utilising the Select Committee process to prove there is absolutely no need for change in this area and show that the current law already puts students in the driving seat and works very well,” said Blair. |
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9 August 2009 - SIS Actions are Unacceptable
Student leaders are very concerned today at news that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) has been spying on University cademics who, as part of their work and research, are critical of the direction of New Zealand’s economic & trade policies. |
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31 July 2009 - Training Incentive Allowance
The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations is launching a nationwide petition today calling on students and the public to register their opposition to the axing of the Training Incentive Allowance by the Government in the 2009 Budget.
The Petition urgently requests that the Government reinstate the allowance and highlights the beneficial effects the TIA has had on allowing those on fixed incomes to access higher education and move into the labour market over the many years it has been available.
The Government has emphasised on numerous occasions the importance of having people access further and higher education to improve skills and create pathways into the workforce. The Training Incentive Allowance has allowed so many people to do just that, there is no reason why it should be stopped now.
Click here for a copy of the petition
|
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29 July 2009 - Bennett Privacy Fiasco
Student leaders today are renewing their call for the reinstatement of the Training Incentive Allowance and are pressing the Minister for Social Development, Hon Paula Bennett, to
immediately take action in the face of widespread public concern over the scrapping of this important student support scheme.
“Privacy fiasco aside – the core issue for students is the unjustified scrapping of such a constructive and helpful allowance that for many years has helped people into higher education, and then into the job market, who might not have otherwise had an opportunity to
do so” said Jordan King, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. |
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28 July 2009 - Drastic Changes to Polytech Goverance Alarming
Student leaders are gravely concerned at the proposed changes to the governance of Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and are calling on the Government to come clean about its’ plans in the sector and immediately consult with all tertiary sector groups on the matter.
Leaked documents released to the media over the weekend show that the Minister of Tertiary Education, Anne Tolley, is planning to drastically reduce the size of Polytechnic councils to eight members by removing community group representation. |
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28 May 2009- Brighter Future a Now Distant Glimmer Says Students
Students are disappointed today with the Government’s Budget following the announcement that the main funding categories in tertiary education will not be guaranteed to increase in real terms over the coming few years and that $98 million dollars worth of Scholarships will
be slashed. While acknowledging a 1.95% (below predicted inflation level) funding adjustment in 2010, students have been left in the dark over tertiary funding beyond next
year.
"The amount that the Government has increased spending in the tertiary education budget for 2010 is below predicted inflation levels and is effectively a cut. In a time of recession where more and more New Zealanders will be looking towards participating in tertiary education in the face of high unemployment, it is highly disappointing not to see a substantial increase in an area that is key to New Zealand’s economic recovery” said Jordan King, Co-President of New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. |
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28 May 2009 - Government won’t front up to students
Student leaders today are questioning the Government’s commitment to tertiary education and supporting learners after Government Ministers have again declined to speak to student leaders and representatives.
The Minister of Tertiary Education, Hon Anne Tolley, and the Associate Minister of Tertiary Education, Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, were invited to speak at the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations’ January conference and the upcoming July conference, but won’t be attending. For the past decade, a representative from the Government has regularly fronted up to students in these forums. |
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14 May 2009 Tertiary Education cuts will hurt students
Students are outraged today at the confirmation there will be no funding increases to the
tertiary sector in the upcoming Budget and are concerned at the detrimental effect this will
have on students.
The Minister of Finance, Bill English, confirmed today that the National-led Government
would not be honouring Labour’s commitment of ensuring funding keeps up with CPI.
“A decision not to increase funding to the sector is, in effect, an unacceptable cut to tertiary
education”, said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’
Associations (NZUSA). “This will have a negative impact on the quality of tertiary education
that students receive and there is a major concern that tertiary institutions may have to take
drastic measures to cope, such as limiting entry, effectively shutting people out of education.” |
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12 May 2009 - Prime Minister guarantees interest free loans will
Student leaders are relieved at Prime Minister John Key’s guarantee that interest-free student
loans are here to stay.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s decisive statement clarifying that the interest-free student
loan policy will remain”, said Jordan King, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’
Associations (NZUSA).
John Key confirmed National’s position on Breakfast television yesterday, stating the level of
interest applied to student loans would remain at zero percent, after speculation had surfaced
in recent weeks that National may reverse the 2005 policy decision to remove interest on loans
and move to interest-bearing loans for higher education. |
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8 May 2009 - Government needs to quash rumours on
Students are alarmed at speculation that the Government may be looking to reintroduce
interest back onto student loans in the forthcoming budget.
Statements made in this week’s Trans Tasman political newsletter indicated that government
officials had been working on changes to the interest free student loan policy
“The National Party promised before it was elected that it would not remove the existing
interest free student loan policy that Labour introduced in 2005. Any move to reintroduce
interest onto student loans would be a clear case of a broken election promise to students,
graduates, families and communities.” said Jordan King, Co-President of The New Zealand
Union of Students' Associations (NZUSA). |
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1 May 2009 - NZUSA welcomes proposed student job initiatives
Students today are welcoming positive initiatives that tertiary institutions are proposing to support students who cannot find work over the summer period.
Both the University of Canterbury Vice Chancellor Rod Carr and the University of Auckland Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon have met with senior Government ministers to suggest initiatives that will aim to keep students in jobs over summer. |
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29 April 2009 -Minister’s pre-budget statements concern students
Students are highly concerned with the Minister of Tertiary Education, Anne Tolley, who
today has made worrying statements ahead of the Budget.
“At a time of global economic uncertainty, Governments around the world have made
education a key plank in their economic stimulus packages” said Jordan King, Co-President
of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. “There is a wide consensus that
furthering invest in higher education is fundamental to getting the global economy back on
track. Our Government, in the Budget, must not ignore the absolute importance of further
investment in education – doing so will put the quality of tertiary education in New Zealand at
risk “added King. |
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24 Mar 2009 - Nationals voluntary repayment scheme no bonus
Student leaders are critical of National’s announcement of a new student loan repayment bonus scheme, citing its strict eligibility criteria and lack of vision and scope as its downfalls.
“This policy will be welcomed by those lucky few who qualify for the scheme and can afford to make extra voluntary repayments”, said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “However most borrowers are already making considerable compulsory loan repayments each week, and can’t afford to make further contributions on top of this. When they are already doing everything they should, why are they now being ignored by the government?” added Blair.
Student loan borrowers have compulsory repayments deducted automatically from their weekly pay at the high rate of ten percent on all income earned over $18,184.
“We question why National has created such a narrow policy that will merely reward the rich and leave everyone else to struggle”, said Blair. “With such tough economic times, and loan repayment obligations already being met by most loan borrowers, why are the majority being punished and left out of this policy to reduce the debt burden?” said Blair. |
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9 Mar 2009 - Student allowances: The answer to a tight job mark
Student leaders today expressed their concern about diminishing job figures released by Student Job Search and called on the Government to address the potential poverty that many students may now face by increasing student allowance eligibility.
Student Job Search revealed today that there has been an increase in students looking for part time work, but a marked decrease in job vacancies.
Currently only a third of students are eligible for student allowance while the rest are forced to forced to borrow from the student loan scheme and then further supplement their income with part time jobs.
“The current system means that students rely heavily on part time jobs to pay their basic living costs. With the decrease in part time jobs confirmed today, we are extremely concerned at how students will be able to adequately support themselves while they further their education” said Sophia Blair, Co-President of New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations. (NZUSA). |
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26 Feb 2009 - Student leaders on national tour
New Zealand’s student leaders are in Palmerston North this week on the first leg of a month-long national tour of universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology.
“A key focus of our visits will be delivering tailored training and information to individual executives at our member students’ associations”, said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “The ability to be on campus and participate in local events, campaigns and meetings is an excellent opportunity to gain insight to the specific needs of particular campuses and it will greatly inform the work and priorities of our national office this year,” said Blair.
Engaging with local communities, supporting the town and gown relationship, and keeping student activism relevant and alive will feature strongly in the tour as the Co-Presidents visit cities and students from Auckland to Dunedin.
“We’re really looking forward to meeting with Vice Chancellors, Chief Executives and staff unions across the country regarding common interests and issues in the tertiary sector, and in particular how we can work together to further our goals”, said Jordan King, Co-President of NZUSA. “Of particular interest to us will be issues of access, quality and student representation, as well as funding to tertiary institutions and student support,” added King. |
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24 Feb 2009 - Public service job cut threats uncalled for
Student leaders are very concerned at news of potential job cuts in the public service, particularly in government agencies and departments that deal with tertiary education and student support, and label any ‘slash and burn’ approach to staffing as reckless and irresponsible.
“All New Zealand workers, including public servants, deserve reassurance and certainty during these troubled economic times, not stress and threats over their livelihood”, said Jordan King, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “Government should be setting an example and treating its’ workers well, particularly when we are days out from the “Jobs Summit”, and especially if it expects other employers to do the same”.
National has previously criticised the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for excessive staff numbers and there has been further indication over the last week that the government may halve its workforce, and in recent days it has been revealed that the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will likely cull hundreds of positions. |
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23 Feb 2009 - Government keen on bondage, students not so sure
Student leaders are welcoming the government’s interest in supporting new graduates and their recognition of the significant issues with student loan debt, but are warning that without further expansion of the scheme the initiative will have narrow success.
“Today’s announcement shows the government have heard the calls of some industry and sector groups to address key workforce shortages, and that they understand the negative effect student loan debt is having on graduates career choices”, said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “For those lucky few who qualify for this initiative, it will provide very welcome relief,” added Blair.
The policy announcement will see a voluntary bonding scheme introduced for medical, health and teaching professionals in hard to staff areas that provides student loan relief, or cash incentives, in an effort to fill workforce shortages and keep skilled graduates in New Zealand. |
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18 feb 2009 - Students demand Vice Chancellors tell the truth
Student representatives are shocked and disappointed that the New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee (NZVCC) Briefing for the Incoming Minister continues to promulgate incorrect assertions on student financial support and is referring them to the government’s own Ministry of Education reports for clarification on the real story.
“While we support the NZVCC’s commitment to quality, accessible public university education, we are however extremely concerned at their continued misrepresentation of student support data and their calls for flexibility on fees”, said Jordan King, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA).
“Once again the NZVCC have held threats and misinformation over the heads of struggling students for political gain. This is a lazy and highly inappropriate manner in which to deal with serious issues of under-funding facing all parts of the tertiary sector – students, staff and institutions alike,” added King. |
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5 Febuary 2009 - Student workers need increase to minimum wage
Along with thousands of other low wage workers, students will be hoping the government has heard their calls and will deliver a rise in the minimum wage when Cabinet meets on Monday.
“At a time when the cost of living is so high, and support for tertiary students is so low, a rise in the minimum wage would be a very positive and timely step for thousands of students around the country”, said Jordan King, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA).
With over ninety percent of students undertaking paid work to support themselves during study, minimum wage increases would directly benefit thousands of students and provide a useful and effective vehicle for stimulating the slowing economy. |
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5 Febuary 2009 - A step to the right – students say Treasury Bri
Student representatives are outraged at Treasury’s Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Finance dismissing the negative consequences of the Student Loan Scheme, and are urging the National-led government to instead consider the raft of evidence proving the scheme’s inefficiency and inequity.
“We are deeply concerned at the flawed advice Treasury is presenting to the Minister. Policies of under-investing in student support were implemented in the 1990s and failed, directly contributing to the $10billion debt now owed by students and graduates”, said Sophia Blair, Co-President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). “A creative solution to addressing the drivers and result of this debt is what is now needed – fully publicly funded tertiary education”. |
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6 January 2009 - NZUSA elects student leaders for 2009
The New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) has elected its national officers for 2009. Sophia Blair and Jordan King will be the Co-Presidents of NZUSA. |
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