Today marks the start of the Winter Energy Payment season, but for the thousands of students studying at NMIT, there is no payment coming. SANITI is calling on the Government to fix that.

Tertiary students are currently ineligible for the Winter Energy Payment despite facing some of the toughest financial conditions of any group in New Zealand. Many are renting on tight budgets, juggling study, family and work commitments while trying to stay afloat during a cost of living and fuel crisis that is making everything harder.

"Many of our students are choosing between heating their homes and putting food on the table, that's the reality of student life in 2026, and it shouldn't be. We want to see a New Zealand where everyone can study in a warm, safe, dry home, and extending the Winter Energy Payment to students is a practical, targeted step to make that happen," says SANITI Student President Scott Tambisari.

SANITI is supporting the Social Security (Extension of Winter Energy Payment) Amendment Bill, which would extend the Winter Energy Payment to full-time domestic tertiary students. The Bill also includes a temporary additional payment of $50 per week this winter to reflect the current fuel crisis, support that a selection of other households already receive.

Crucially, the Bill is designed so students would not be financially penalised for receiving the payment as it would be excluded from the personal income calculation under student allowance rules.

"Students at NMIT are making sacrifices every day just to stay in their studies. No one should have to choose between keeping warm and keeping the lights on. This is a straightforward fix, and we urge the Government to get behind it," says SANITI Student President Scott Tambisari.

Students, whānau, and community members who want to see this change can add their voice here: Support the Winter Energy Payment for students - action.greens.org.nz

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