Horan pledges zero polytech fees

The NZ Independent Coalition will implement a zero-fees model at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology if elected in the upcoming election.

The pledge was made by leader Brendan Horan while speaking at a student forum held at the BOP Polytechnic's Windermere Campus today.

NZIC leader Brendan Horan announces the pledge at the BOP Polytechnic.

Students were told the NZ Independent Coalition is committed to moving towards a zero-fees model for all tertiary education providers throughout New Zealand.

For the Bay of Plenty, Brendan said the successful Southland zero-fees model could be replicated in the region.

As an example he pointed out that students working towards a Bachelor of Commerce through the Southland Institute of Technology, which implement the zero-fees model, will pay $1680 over three years – saving them nearly $15,000.

'It is wrong that students are loaded with a mortgage-size debt,” Brendan told students.

'That is why New Zealand's newest political entity will also restore a universal student allowance by abolishing the parental income test and restore postgraduate student allowances.”

The zero-fee model applies to the basic tuition cost for each programme while students pay direct material costs.

Southland Institute of Technology implemented zero-fees over 10 years ago with seed funding from two local trusts and the councils, and rapidly became self-sustaining.

Student numbers also rose by over 46 per cent, which attracted sufficient per-capita Government funding to meet costs.

By 2010, the economic impact of zero-fees was over $210 million and contributed over 730 full time equivalent jobs.

Brendan says the NZIC also plans to overhaul Studylink by abolishing 'frustrating bureaucracy” in order to deliver quality frontline services.

Students over 55 years will also be able to access student loans for living costs and course-related costs.

Revenue for tertiary education changes can be found in a currently untaxed area of the New Zealand economy – financial transactions.

Following the example of 11 European Union nations Brendan says NZIC would look to implement a 0.1 per cent Financial Transaction Tax.

'An FTT at the modest rate of 0.1per cent will result in revenue of around $9.5 billion for the people of New Zealand every year.

'After all, if the financial institutions make their money by clipping the ticket on every transaction, then so too should the Government,” says Brendan.

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9 comments

Promises

Posted on 20-08-2014 14:58 | By Sambo Returns

Promises,promises,promises.....free Ipads,free Polytech,can a political party leader please offer me free ice cream for the rest off my life, then you can have my vote, what a joke these elections have become, then there is the "whale" leaking oil, and "Nik" the conspiracy theorist leaking books,even "Shorty" street offers more substance.


Zero Fees

Posted on 20-08-2014 15:08 | By Deborah Cunliffe

What a great way to enact the student vote - promise zero fees! The problem is, there is no money for such a scheme without taking it from some other sector. If you want financial change you have to explain where it will come from. In addition, where will all the students who arrive in Tauranga live, where are the part time jobs they will take from usual residents? Tauranga is not Southland.


Leader Horan

Posted on 20-08-2014 15:12 | By Thoughtful

What if the other members of the "NZ Independent Coalition" don't agree with Mr Horan's decision, not that they have much of a chance of being elected anyway! I still struggle with the concept of independent members being part of a coalition?


shame on you

Posted on 20-08-2014 16:13 | By Major Think

Show some respect for democracy Brendan. You are not an independent because nobody voted for you, yet you insult the people and our democracy by still pretending to be an "independent" MP. Shame on you.


How will you fund it?

Posted on 20-08-2014 19:11 | By carpedeum

So which other area of Education ( or anything else really) will you take precious money from to cover this "Election Promise" ??or perhaps a tax rise??Young people at tertiary educational facilities are being educated,trained and learning skills so that they can learn to pay their way in life


Read the Article

Posted on 20-08-2014 19:23 | By Lisa from the Mt

I love the idea of independents representing us in parliament. Isnt that the way the City Council works? Why do MPs have to be a part of a party anyway.They can't do anything outside what their bosses say. So a Financial Transaction Tax will bring in over $9 Billion per year. I'm sure that would certainly fund zero fees. Why don't people read the whole article before you start moaning about an idea


pretending

Posted on 20-08-2014 21:59 | By Captain Sensible

Brendan....pretending to be an independent since 2012.


two fingered salute

Posted on 21-08-2014 07:50 | By Captain Sensible

@ Lisa; It's easy to come up with ideas when you know that nobody voted for you, therefore you can not lose any voters. If he had any respect for democracy, he would have had a bye-election in December 2012, but he chose to mislead us and give a two fingered salute to democracy by calling himself an "independent".


Mr Horan

Posted on 10-09-2014 19:04 | By Ladradog

He can promise anything he likes as he will never ever be in a position to implement it, in two weeks.


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