Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education
9 August 2005 Media Statement
Tuition subsidies for veterinary education to increase
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced a significant increase in government
tuition subsidies for years 3, 4, and 5 of undergraduate veterinary science.
The increase puts them on the same basis as years 4, 5 and 6 of undergraduate medicine.
"I am pleased to announce a funding increase for the provision of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science, so that the per
EFTS (Equivalent Full Time Student) subsidy for years 3, 4 and 5 will increase next year by $5,684, bringing the total
per EFTS funding to $24,582," Helen Clark said during a visit to Massey University today.
"The increase means that government tuition subsidies for the Veterinary Science degree will better reflect the high
costs of clinical training in the mid to latter part of the degree.
"Veterinary science is an area of high strategic relevance in tertiary education and it is of key importance to
supporting our primary industries.
"The funding increase reflects the importance this government places on having qualified veterinary practitioners,"
Helen Clark said.
Education Minister Trevor Mallard said the change means that Massey University will receive additional funding of
approximately $1.3 million per year, assuming that approximately two thirds of its veterinary undergraduates enrolled
are in years 3, 4, and 5.
"As a result Massey University will be much better resourced to continue to provide excellent training and education in
this area."
The number of equivalent full-time students who can be enrolled in a Veterinary Science degree will continue to be
restricted to 340.
ENDS