Maharey more miserable than merry this Christmas
Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey has announced that the income thresholds for student loan repayments and
interest write-offs will be raised.
“These increases are incredibly small - a meagre $4.00 per week extra a student can earn before they must start to repay
their student loan or apply for an interest write-off.” Said Andrew Kirton, President of the Lincoln University
Students’ Association.
Kirton said the changes will do next to nothing and the Minister’s attempt to be festive is like a bad Christmas joke.
“These changes are a drop in the ocean in terms of improving the lives of New Zealand tertiary students and addressing
the monster of student debt.” Kirton said
He said that announcements such as these were insulting, especially when the income threshold for the student allowance
has not increased since 1992, meaning less and less students remain eligible for financial support every year.
“Students are still the only group in this society who must borrow from the government to meet their cost of living. As
a result, nearly half of all student debt is rent, food and other living expenses. This is simply not good enough.” Said
Kirton.