Budget 2006: Tertiary spending lift not enough say students

A $31 million tertiary spending spree has left student presidents at two of the country's largest universities decidedly underwhelmed.

Three chief measures were announced yesterday as part of the $31 million boost: a rise in the parental income threshold (from $35,700 to $39,270) for students claiming allowances, increased entitlements for doctoral students, and an expansion of the bonded merit scheme.

But the 10 per cent increase to the income threshold is not enough for Auckland or Massey University student leaders. "It's a really small amount, almost pitiful, really," said Auckland University's Dan Bidois.

"We were hoping to get a real increase, and a real sense of commitment from the Government. We were really hoping for more than 10 per cent."

Student Association figures showed the 10 per cent threshold increase was likely only to benefit about 620 students.

Massey University Students' Association president Paul Falloon said the announcements were a move in the right direction but did not go far enough.

Figures showed that 4020 fewer students were receiving allowances in 2005 than in the previous year, he said.

However, both men were happy with other budget initiatives.

A move to classify doctoral courses as "recognised long programmes" from January 1 would come as "a huge relief" for those involved in PhD study.

Bonded merit scholarships - where students, in exchange for having their course costs paid, agreed to remain in New Zealand to work for a period as long as their scholarship - were also "a good thing for students", Mr Bidois said.