First-year fees-free scheme paid universities $1.25b over seven years

Political Reporter·Newstalk ZB·21 Sep, 2026 05:00 PM5 mins to read‌Penny Simmonds said the fees-free scheme reduced debt but did not meaningfully lift participation or improve equity. Photo / Mark Mitchell The Tertiary Education Minister says Labour’s fees-free scheme didn’t meaningfully lift participation or improve equity for students, as new figures show universities pocketed $1.25 billion from it over seven years. A briefing from the Tertiary Education Commission to Penny Simmonds from July, obtained by Newstalk ZB under the Official Information