She ended up borrowing more on her student loan to pay for living costs. A weekly student allowance of $160 against essential costs of $140 left a slim $20 buffer. The maximum after tax for a student under 24 living with parents was $277.72 a week. "To pay for tuition and living costs - I hope not for other things - the median student loan balance has increased from $10,000 in 2005 to $24,000 in 2023." The housing problem also needed to be addressed he said, and the student loan scheme reimagined.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 23, 2026 11:59 UTC