Students protest over allowances
Disgruntled students hit Auckland's Queen Street in protest on Friday demanding a better deal on student allowances.
New Zealand Union of Students Associations claims more than 90%
of students have to work while they study full time, and are forced
to take on big loans and credit card debt to pay for the
basics.
They are calling for the current system of means testing, for under
24's to be scrapped, and a universal student allowance introduced,
and they want it made an issue in election year.
Students say their $10 billion worth of debt, which they describe as a debt monster, is rising every year and is a burden on them for years after their degrees are completed.
NZUSA co-President Paul Falloon says student debt is increasing by $1 billion each year, which is totally unsustainable. He says a universal student allowance would be an investment in New Zealand's future.
Falloon says the government must take action now to prevent further students heading off shore.
