We, the undersigned, demand that this Government reverses its decision to scrap the Fees Free Tertiary scheme. We call on this Government, and the political parties of Aotearoa New Zealand to support tertiary education in this country by committing to:

1. Maintaining and expanding the Fees Free Tertiary scheme
   By implementing full fees free tertiary education, our students won’t be burdened with ballooning debt from a system that isn’t fit for purpose. Reverse the decision and expand the scheme to cover full tertiary education.
2. Providing funding to our tertiary providers above inflation
   Adequate funding means tertiary providers won’t have to gut courses and staffing, nor seek out cash grab opportunities. Subsidise our universities and polytechnics above inflation and cover the full EFTS burden.
3. Implementing a universal student allowance
   Reducing the load on students includes providing an allowance that keeps pace with the cost of living. Support all learners with a universal student allowance.
4. Allowing the return of strong, independent student unions
   Real student representation requires independent student unions that aren’t at the behest of their contractor-clients. Abolish sections 261 to 265 of the Education and Training Act.

The New Zealand Government plans to end Fees Free for the final year of tertiary study and final two years of work-based learning at the end of 2026. Simultaneously, universities and polytechnics find themselves seriously short of funding as budget allocations fail to keep pace with inflation and thousands of full-time students are left out of Tertiary Education Commission distribution. With our tertiary providers scrambling for cash, and their steady erosion at the hands of successive governments, tertiary education in New Zealand is in a dire state.

Further, the current student loan living costs do not adequately cover the cost of living, meaning students are overworked and unreasonably stressed, all while piling more and more onto their loans. With student unions dependent on education providers for their funding, they aren’t able to truly challenge the decisions that impact students the most. Students and learners are struggling and aren’t able to get the most effective representation they deserve.

The decision to end the Fees Free Tertiary scheme will place more pressure on students and will have the greatest negative impact on working-class families: those who are already struggling under economic crisis and numerous other cuts to social infrastructure. Not only are students faced with a more pressing decision about their future, but their families who have worked so hard to support them will be impacted too. It is extremely important that students and learners are able to learn in healthy, encouraging environments and aren’t struggling to have their voices heard.

Education should be free for all, and this is a necessary first step towards that goal.