Communications

To the Prime Minister, relevant Ministers, and all Members of Parliament,

​

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā rā koutou katoa.

​

This is an open letter calling for the inclusion of targeted relief for all tertiary students in all future cost-of-living relief packages, including, but not limited to, cost-of-fuel and transport relief.

​

Students, particularly Māori, Pasifika, Disabled, International, and LGBTTQIA+, have historically been overlooked and neglected with regards to cost of living relief. Examples of this include the Winter Energy Payment (WEP) and other recent forms of emergency financial support, despite students often also being eligible Community Services Card holders.

​

Students are already demonstrably struggling under the current cost of living crisis, something which the current and previous governments have promised to provide relief for.

​

Given this, any potential exclusion or a missing targeted approach would be unjust and to the detriment of students across the motu.

​

We are at a critical point in the severity of this issue, with many students living below the poverty line. They are balancing work alongside rising rent and escalating costs for food and transport. On top of this, many have caregiving responsibilities or face additional challenges, such as disability or a lack of familial support due to estrangement.

​

Don’t leave the ākonga of Aotearoa behind. Include students in targeted relief. 

​

We look forward to your response. 

 

Nā mātou iti nei, nā, 

​

Aidan Donoghue, President of Te Aka Tauira - Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) 

Daniel Leamy, President of Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) 

Eloise Fleming & Nikita Van Dijk, Co-Presidents of the National Disabled Students’ Association (NDSA) 

Halle Gravatt, Tumuaki of Te Awhioraki - Lincoln University Māori Students’ Association 

Ibuki Nishida - Co-President of the New Zealand International Students’ Association (NZISA) 

James Portegys - President of Auckland University Technology Students’ Association (AUTSA) 

Nimish Milan Singh - President of Te Rōpū Kahikatea Auckland University Students’ Association Incorporated (AUSA) 

Seamus Lohrey - President of Te Awa Kōtui Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) 

Zara Weissenstein - President of the Lincoln University Students’ Association Inc. (LUSA)