875 rural students receive more than $3 million in boarding fee support from Government
The Government spent over 30% more last year than in 2023 providing financial support towards boarding fees for rural students.
New Ministry of Education data show $3,242,035 was paid out for 875 students under the Access Barrier Allowance last year.
That's up from $2,431,144 for 792
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Federated Farmers Launches KiwiSaver Petition
Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition calling on the Government to urgently change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. "Accessing your KiwiSaver to buy your first farm, flock, herd or home has been an incredibly hot topic for farmers," Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says. "On the campaign trail of the 2023 election, Todd McClay stood up in front of young farmers in Morrinsville and made a promise that he would make it happen. "I'm sure he had the best of intentions, but unfortunately farmers have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of action from the Government on the issue to date. "That's why Federated Farmers has launched this petition: to hold the Government accountable and send a clear message that it's time to follow through on their promise." The petition's launch has been timed to coincide with the National Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek. "Politicians are always out in force at Fieldays, rubbing shoulders with farmers, and we really wanted to make sure KiwiSaver issues were a topic of conversation," McIntyre says. "Allowing young farmers to access their KiwiSaver to buy their first herd, home, farm or flock is the number one thing the Government could do to help our next generation of farmers. "It would shave years of hard work and saving off their progression through the industry, and really turbocharge their farming careers. "Why is the Government okay with that money being managed by stockbrokers and invested in Fortune 500 companies, but not by a farmer buying a herd to go sharemilking?" McIntyre says he can't see any reason the Government wouldn't throw their full support behind making this policy change happen. "A lot of young urban people enter KiwiSaver because it's a good way to build a deposit for their first house. They're saving for a home early on - not for their retirement. "We're asking for young farmers to have the same opportunity - a one-off withdrawal early in their careers to help them get ahead by purchasing their first home, farm, herd, or flock." New Zealanders are encouraged to sign the petition online at or at Federated Farmers' Fieldays site D70.
NZ Herald
6 hours ago
- NZ Herald
875 rural students receive more than $3 million in boarding fee support from Government
The Government spent over 30% more last year than in 2023 providing financial support towards boarding fees for rural students. New Ministry of Education data show $3,242,035 was paid out for 875 students under the Access Barrier Allowance last year. That's up from $2,431,144 for 792
Scoop
15 hours ago
- Scoop
Bringing Families Together With Parent Boost
The Government is delivering on its commitment to support parents living offshore to visit and stay with their families in New Zealand for longer, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford say. Beginning in September, a new 'Parent Boost' visa would grant the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, provided they meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements. 'In order to drive economic growth, we need to incentivise skilled migrants to choose New Zealand,' Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. 'Ensuring we continue to attract the right people with the skills this country needs will deliver significant economic and social benefits for all New Zealanders.' 'We know that a longer-term visitor visa for parents is an important consideration for migrants who are deciding where they want to build their lives,' Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says. 'Whether it be welcoming a new child, additional support during health challenges or providing childcare so parents can work, there is nothing quite like having family support close by.' 'We are proud to deliver this coalition agreement between National and ACT, which will make the New Zealand proposition more appealing and more competitive.' To be eligible for a Parent Boost visa, applicants must: have an eligible sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or resident meet Acceptable Standard of Health requirements demonstrate they have at least one year of health insurance coverage which provides emergency medical cover (of at least up to $250,000), repatriation, return of remains and cancer treatment (of at least $100,000) and maintain this insurance for the entire duration they are in New Zealand meet character requirements and be a bona fide / genuine visitor while offshore during the 3rd year of the multiple entry visitor visa, complete a new medical assessment and demonstrate they have maintained their insurance One of the following income requirements must also be met: The sponsor must earn the median wage to sponsor one parent, joint sponsors must earn 1.5x the median wage; or The parent/s have an ongoing income aligning with the single rate of New Zealand Superannuation for a single parent and the couple rate for a couple; or The parent/s have available funds of $160,000 for a single parent and $250,000 for a couple to support themselves for the duration of their visa 'The Parent Boost Visa strikes the balance of making New Zealand more attractive for people who want to make our beautiful country their home, without putting additional strain on public services,' Ms Stanford says. 'We are committed to delivering an efficient and predictable immigration system that drives economic growth to take New Zealand forward.' Parent Boost applications open on 29 September 2025. The sponsor must also remain living in New Zealand while visa holder is onshore and are liable for any costs incurred in relation to the visa holder during the visa duration Applicants will be able to renew the visa once, meaning the maximum length of their visit could be 10 years. People will need to spend three months out of New Zealand prior to getting their second Parent Boost visa.
