Review over methods to attract students

Rod Carr told Radio NZ institutions had to attract students' attention in a crowded market. Photo / Supplied

The government body that funds New Zealand's universities is reviewing rules about student inducements amid revelations one institution has offered students ski trips and sports tickets if they enrol.

Radio NZ reported this morning that the Canterbury University's "Go Canterbury" package offered to star Auckland Year 13 school pupils included summer and winter trips, a $5000 accommodation scholarship and a ticket to either a Taxtic netball game or a Crusaders rugby match.

The Tertiary Education Commission said such inducements could breach funding conditions and while the Canterbury package didn't break the rules, it had prompted officials to review them.

The commission said the offer "stretches the limits of the spirit and intent" of funding conditions that state universities cannot offer students anything unrelated to their qualification.

Canterbury University's vice chancellor Rod Carr told Radio NZ institutions had to attract students' attention in a crowded market.

"What's happened is that quite sensibly some of our competitor institutions have asked a question, the [commission] has said, 'no we don't think there's a breach of rules but we think it would be helpful if we reminded everybody what they were and reviewed current practice'."

Dr Carr said about 100 Auckland pupils were offered the deal.