Student union cash probe

A Hamilton student association with more than $500,000 in funds is being investigated by police over complaints of financial mismanagement.

Police have confirmed they are investigating a complaint against the Student Association of the Waikato Institute of Technology.

Its expenses include annual payments of $27,000 for its president, $17,600 for the vice-president and $17,600 for a treasurer.

Detective Constable Nicola Miller of Hamilton North CIB said a complaint was made on April 20 by Act On Campus, the youth wing of the Act political party.

Act On Campus president Sara Russell raised concerns about how the association's $515,000 in student funds have been used by its executive.

Association president Moana Andrews said the allegations were unfounded.

"The money is used for advocacy, student discounts and in-house services like photocopying for students."

Many members of the executive worked more than 50 hours a week and the honorariums they received were justified, she said.

Association membership is compulsory and costs $67 a year.

- NZPA