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The New Zealand University Students Association says New Zealand’s tertiary education system is badly flawed – and it’s Maori who are paying a disproportionate price.
President Daniel Haines says only one in five Maori are in tertiary education, compared with one in three for all New Zealanders.
He says they’re more likely to take on debt.
Many are the first in their family to go to university, so they can’t call on their whanau and community for empathy and support.
They take longer on average to complete their tertiary qualification, so a recent change restricting student allowances to 200 weeks over a lifetime, disproportionately affected Maori.
Mr Haines says NZUSA wants to see the time limit dropped, and more targeted pastoral and academic support.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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