A Bay of Plenty tertiary institution is welcoming proposed changes to the education sector if Labour is elected to government, with the party wanting to address 'some real concerns”.

Unveiling its Tertiary Education Policy while in Tauranga this week, Labour leader David Cunliffe promises to reverse the abolition of student allowances for postgraduate students and get rid of proposed changes to university councils.

Labour leader David Cunliffe outside Zest Cafe, Greerton. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

While in Greerton, David told SunLive tertiary institutions will also get a share of the $1 billion per year it has promised to set aside to keep up with 'cost of living increases” in the public services.

A bonded scheme, where professionals such as medicine graduates spend time in the regions in exchange for having their huge student loans reduced, will be introduced.

'That's an idea we have been considering for some time and will continue to in government,” says David.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic chief executive Dr Alan Hampton is pleased to see a commitment to a quality tertiary education system, adequately funded to deliver the necessary student outcomes to develop the skilled workforce at all levels.

Alan says the tertiary sector has been in a ‘capped' funding environment without inflation-linked funding increases for a number of years.

'The danger is that sooner, rather than later, such a situation will start to threaten the quality of student experience and access to relevant regional provision.”

Collaboration is a key strategy the polytechnic views as responsive to such a challenging environment and its partner institutions in the BOP Tertiary Education Partnership are already demonstrating the benefits to Bay of Plenty people, says Alan.

The vision of the Tertiary Partnership is to establish a seamless movement of pathways and programmes responding to the region's needs.

Alan says the proposal to establish ‘Centres of Vocational Excellence' with Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics being able to play a national leadership role in key skill areas is an exciting prospect.

'One which the polytechnic would see strong opportunity for the institution based on proven, established capability and reputation, importantly aligned to strengthen key characteristics of the Bay of Plenty region.”

David says this is a far-reaching review of tertiary support and is essential in ensuring a more collaborative approach to New Zealand's tertiary education.

The policy is built on maintaining the real value of tertiary funding rates and support capital investment.

'We are restoring student loan availability and scholarships right through to postgraduate degrees.

'We are restoring the right of people to go on university councils, students and staff, and resisting its contraction to being like business board.”

Labour has already announced it will remove the restriction for medical and dentistry students on access to student loans after seven years.

It is also promising to reinstate post-doctorate fellowships for recent PhD graduates, scaling up to a cost of $6m per year, helping support them into research careers locally rather than overseas.

When questioned where the money is coming from, David says there will be no big cuts in other education areas as the money is within the party's alternative budget.

'As with all things, it's a careful balance of investments in our future and taxation from across a range of sources.

'Importantly, we are closing down tax loopholes; and over time we will be bringing in a forward-looking capital gains tax, which means we don't have to raise income tax as much.”