THE AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (INC.)
TE ROOPU TAUIRA O TE WHARE WAANANGA O TAMAKI MAKAURAU
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Thursday 20 January, 2000
LOSING WITH WINZ
Student leaders at Auckland University are being inundated with students’ suffering severe financial hardship as
problems with WINZ Student Services continue.
“Student are ringing the Student Services Hotline and being disconnected because of overloading. This is of extreme
concern given that the busiest time for student services will be from mid February to March. If they cannot cope now,
how will they cope then?” asks Eva Neitzert, Education Vice President at the Auckland University Students Association.
“Moreover, WINZ has again been slow to process applications. Some students have still not received their allowance
despite Summer School Courses commencing on January 6. Demand for the AUSA Foodbank has been phenomenal as students have
no money for food,” continued Ms Neitzert.
Concern has also been expressed about the new “interest free loans”. Interest will be accrued throughout the year for
all students, even those eligible for the “interest free loan”, and then in 2001 IRD will send applications out for an
interest write off. “Clearly, this is an unnecessary beauracratic move that throws leaves students with yet more
uncertainty about their finances. If students are eligible for the interest free loan according to their loan
application form, then interest should not be charged throughout the year and no secondary application should be
necessary,” said Ms Neitzert.
“After the heavy criticism of WINZ while in opposition, we now call on the Associate Minister of Education – Tertiary,
to clean up the mess that is student finance,” concluded Ms Neitzert.
Contacts:
Eva Neitzert 309 0789 x 204 OR 021 665 139
Co-Education Vice President
e.neitzert@auckland.ac.nz