Child and youth voice research findings

People's inquiry into student wellbeing 2022

AUTHOR: Point & Associates | New Zealand Union of Students' Association

This survey captures feedback from 4,593 tertiary students across Aotearoa, including from all the education hubs (Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin), and other towns and cities.

The Inquiry highlighted that while many students are thriving in education, there is significant student financial hardship and distress caused by a mismatch between student income and the cost of living.  Key findings include:

  • The gap between income and cost of living is causing students anxiety and distress
  • Aspects of student allowance policy are considered unfair and inequitable
  • Students who rent a shared flat spend over half their income on their accommodation, yet many report poor living conditions
  • Students often go without food, health care, clothing and other necessities
  • Just over half the respondents felt supported by their institution’s COVID 19 response
  • Amongst students living in student accommodation, just as many felt supported as unsupported by their provider’s response to COVID 19
  • Most students reported a decline in mental wellbeing during the COVID 19 pandemic

The report also included a number of recommendations

 

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