Following the budget announcement this month, Craccum heard from three Auckland students and the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations regarding their thoughts on Budget 2020. The budget includes provisions such as a $20 million hardship fund for students in light of COVID-19, but some say it has missed the mark on issues like restoring postgraduate student allowances.
Luke*, 23, Commerce
“What a lot of people aren’t considering is that students are already receiving a lot from the government in other ways.”
“We can apply for the wage subsidy and get support if we are really in need.”
“I don’t think students deserve special treatment by the government as COVID-19 has hit everyone really hard, and we’ve already received stuff like the fund for computers if you need one to study online and have been disadvantaged by COVID.”
Anna*, 22, Arts
“After voting Labour at the last election, I am really outraged that nothing has been done to restore the postgraduate student allowances.”
“Overall the budget has shown that the government does not take seriously the struggles of students, which have just been exacerbated by the pandemic.”
“ [Prime Minister] Jacinda [Ardern] has said herself that education will be key in moving forward, but the burden for this is yet again placed on students, many of whom were already struggling and living in poverty before this.”
Jamie*, 18, Science
“I don’t feel like I really know enough to comment appropriately on the budget as I personally have not had many financial challenges, but I know a lot of students who live in the same accommodation as me haven’t been able to pay their rent and have lost their jobs.”
“It seems like there is a bit of support there for students but I wouldn’t think it’s enough if we still have so many people in bad positions. We will have to wait and see how much of a difference Budget 2020 makes.”
Isabella Lenihan-Ikin, President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations
“Budget 2020 is a step in the right direction. However, the government has taken a band-aid approach to addressing student hardship and the barriers to tertiary education more broadly.”
“Although this fund provides short-term relief to students facing hardship arising from Covid-19, it does not go far enough to address the long-term challenges of poverty, financial insecurity and rising living costs that tertiary students are experiencing.”
*Names have been changed
