The Student Job Search organisation is New Zealand’s largest, Government-funded employment service, connecting tertiary students and recent graduates with employers. Forty-nine per cent of all jobs listed on Student Job Search in quarter 2 of the 2025/26 financial year were casual roles, while permanent fulltime roles made up just 2.5%, well below historical norms. “It’s creating tensions between work and study – with students missing a lecture or study to go to work. “They can’t afford to not have access to student allowances and loans, which has a long-term impact.”Both the Victoria and Otago University Students’ Association presidents said university students are struggling to support themselves. Victoria University Student Association president Aidan Donoghue said there are only so many part-time jobs that can accommodate the university schedule.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 22, 2026 17:30 UTC