NZ First says polytech should pay course money back

By HELEN TUNNAH

New Zealand First is demanding a polytechnic under investigation for claiming millions of dollars in taxpayer funding for a Maori language "singalong" course should pay back any money it has been overpaid for fictitious students.

Two of the 7415 Eastern Institute of Technology students were NZ First MPs signed up late at night at a burger bar.

Months later, they have received no information or course materials from the Hawkes Bay polytechnic, which is now having its student enrolments audited.

The polytechnic rejects the singalong label opposition politicians gave the course, which it was paid $2.5 million to run and which involves students listening to Maori-language songs broadcast on the radio.

A second free course, a basic Maori-language course which MPs Ron Mark and Edwin Perry also signed up to, had 8301 students and the polytechnic received more than $2.6 million in public money for it.

Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey confirmed the student enrolment numbers and funding to NZ First in answers to written parliamentary questions.

Last week, National MP Bill English raised his worries about the Eastern Institute of Technology and Gisborne's Tairawhiti Polytechnic, after the Weekend Herald reported that it had also received millions of dollars in funding and claimed thousands of students for courses such as twilight golf and coffee making.

Yesterday, Mr English questioned the role of the Tertiary Education Commission.

While the two polytechnics are having their records studied, apparently by the commission, it is understood no inquiry is under way into the rigour of the commission's administration.