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Maori Party tertiary policy offers positive solutions
Maori Party tertiary policy offers positive solutions for students
The release of the Maori Party’s tertiary policy in its manifesto demonstrates a commitment to the value and importance of education to both the country and our citizens, and will be welcomed by those in favour of improved student support and direct methods to address mounting student debt.
“The commitment to introduce a universal student allowance is particularly welcome, as students are the only group in society expected to borrow to meet basic living costs, and this borrowing is a key driver of the $12 billion of student loan debt now held by New Zealanders,” said NZUSA Co-President David Do.
Other policies include reinstating the Training Incentive Allowance to support sole parents through education and into work, and fee reduction measures to ease the cost of higher education and reduce the student debt burden.
“The Maori Party also share NZUSA’s concern that underfunding and lack of investment in tertiary education is hampering opportunities and resulting in unfair outcomes, and that this needs to change,” says Do.
“This policy also prioritises the role of the student voice, complementing the Maori Party’s opposition to ACT’s extreme student membership legislation passed recently,” says NZUSA Co-President Max Hardy.
“Along with all opposition parties, the Maori Party signed a pledge at Parliament on the day the Bill passed committing to replacing this destructive law with an enduring and balanced piece of legislation that offers genuine choice and quality services to students ,” added Hardy.
“Students and graduates will be hoping that the Maori Party prioritises these progressive tertiary policies in any future potential coalition arrangements,” concludes Do.
NZUSA’s Student Guide to Voting, covering the Maori Party policy in further detail, and the other parties and their positions on several tertiary education issues, can be found at www.demandabetterfuture.org.nz
NZUSA is the national representative body for tertiary students and has been advocating on student issues since 1929.
ENDS
NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations
We stand for opportunity, for all.
NZUSA is the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations, the national body that represents New Zealand's students' associations and the interests of New Zealand's 400,000 students at universities, polytechnics and in trades training.
We conduct original research, advocate to Government and through the media, and support New Zealand's students' associations to be more effective on behalf of their members. We advocate alongside Te Mana Akonga – The National Māori Students' Association, and Tertiary Women New Zealand – The NZUSA Women's Caucus.
Since 1929, we've believed in a society rich in opportunity, where anyone from anywhere can become any thing. We support accessible, affordable quality public tertiary education.
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