29480 (2023). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills

29480 (2023). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills: Does the Minister intend to “change ‘Fees Free” in the first year, to make it ‘Fees Free’ in the third year, for full time students successfully passing all coursework to that point” as found on page 6 of the 2023 New Zealand First Party manifesto, and if so, what advice, reports, briefings, aides-memoire, or any other documents has the Minister, or any member of their Office commissioned on this by title and date?

Hon Penny Simmonds: The Government has committed to replacing the current ‘first year fees free’ policy with a ‘final year fees free,’ the specifics of which are currently being worked through. Neither myself or my office has commissioned any reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents on “Fees Free”. I did not receive any report, memos, aide memoires, or other documents relating to “Fees Free” during the week of 27 November 2023. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 29481 (2023) and 29482 (2023).