Māori Students Support TEC Fee Decision Against VUW

The recent announcement by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to decline Victoria University of Wellingtons application to increase student fees by 8% is welcomed by Te Mana Ākonga, the National Māori Tertiary Students’ Association.

“We are delighted that the TEC has declined the application from Victoria University, says Ivy Harper, Tumuaki of Te Mana Ākonga, the National Māori Students’ Association. “The decision is also a precautionary tale for any institution wishing to step outside the Annual Maximum Fee Movement policy. The policy is centred on the promotion of the access, equity and affordability of study for the learner”, declares Harper.

“Maori learners want to engage and participate in tertiary education and succeed as Māori. An increase in fees by 8% in programmes predominately undertaken by Māori and Pasifika learners would have undermined all of this especially as Māori student debt continues to rise above $2.3 billion”, states Harper.

“Te Mana Ākonga supports the Government’s focus on increasing Māori and Pasifika achievement as stated in the Tertiary Education Strategy 2010-2015. Supporting participation and achievement at higher levels is important if the whole community is to benefit”, says Harper.

As the sole national peak body for Māori students, Te Mana Ākonga supports a learner-centric approach by the tertiary sector and looks forward to engaging with the Tertiary Education Commission and associated Crown entities.

“As the investor expecting outcomes, the Tertiary Education Commission must also consider their ‘investment’, and that is the learner. If achieving outcomes for the TEC requires engaging with the learner to understand what is needed, Te Mana Akonga is positioned to assist with this”, concludes Harper.

ENDS

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>