Research
Student Activism Against Staff Cuts
This positional paper addresses NZUSA’s views on the recent staff cuts by several tertiary institutions, and the resulting student activism that has occurred on various campuses. It focuses on the importance of upholding student activism as a part of civil society engagement on topics relevant to politics and higher education.
Budget 2023: The Student Scorecard
NZUSA in partnership with Te Mana Ākonga and the National Disabled Students’ Association bring you Budget 2023: The Student Scorecard. This report gives a student perspective from across the motu, of key areas of the Budget relevant to students, calling upon the Government for more input for students into decision-making in light of the cost-of-living crisis.
People’s Inquiry Into Student Wellbeing 2022
This report is the result of our People’s Inquiry Into Student Wellbeing survey that was completed by over 4,500 students. The Inquiry paints a stark picture of student poverty and the inaction from Government that is perpetuating this hardship.
How To Talk About Cannabis: A Checklist
How To Talk About Cannabis: A Checklist was commissioned by NZUSA alongside Just Speak and ActionStation and produced by The Workshop. It is designed to help construct effective communication strategies, messages and narratives about cannabis law reform. It is based on a review of existing evidence and The Workshop’s own primary research.
Universal Education Income
Te Rourou Matanui-a-Wānanga
This report outlines the economic case for introducing a Universal Education Income / Te Rourou Matanui-a-Wānanga. It covers the history of student allowances in New Zealand and the economic case for universalisation of the student allowance scheme. It proposes that if student allowances were to become universal the estimated cost would be just over $2.5B.
Impact of Covid-19 on Tertiary Students in Aotearoa New Zealand
This report seeks to shine light on the issues that tertiary students experienced during the Covid-19 lockdown, and the solutions that can be implemented to remedy the decades of neglect which this pandemic has exacerbated. It also outlines what decision-makers in tertiary institutions and government listen to and act upon the voices of learners.
Income and Expenditure Report 2017
The Income and Expenditure Survey has been running since the mid-1980s. It takes place every two-to-three years and provides both a snapshot and longitudinal information. Crucially, it supplements government debt data by addressing private debt as well as student loan debt, and also looks into issues of work, housing and transport costs.
Kei Te Pai? Student Mental Health Report
Kei Te Pai? Report on Student Mental Health in Aotearoa New Zealand was conducted by NZUSA to form an overview the state of tertiary students’ mental health in New Zealand. Despite poor mental health in tertiary students being such an important issue, this research was the first of its kind. This report outlines the issues and what steps need to be taken to address them.
In Our Own Words Report
The In Our Own Words Report was published by NZUSA’s longstanding campaign, Thursdays in Black. This report outlines student experiences of sexual violence prior to and during tertiary education, collected through surveys and focus groups, and what change is needed in order to all students safe where they live, work, and study in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Hand That Feeds Us
This report addresses how Voluntary Student Membership (VSM) has impacted the freedom of associations and the voice of students and students’ associations. VSM is a model where tertiary students decide on an individual basis whether to be a member of their local students’ association. This is the opposite of ‘universal student membership’, the model pre-2011.
