Luxon calls fees-free university scheme a failure
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the fees-free university scheme failed to meet its goals and funding is better used elsewhere.
May 11, 2026
1 min read
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Source: odt.co.nz
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described the fees-free university scheme as 'quite a failure,' stating it did not achieve any of its intended goals. The scheme, which provided students with their final year of study free, has been scrapped.
Luxon argued that the funding could be better directed to other areas, such as early childhood education or vocational training. The government has not released specific data on the scheme's outcomes, but Luxon's comments reflect a broader review of education spending.
The fees-free policy was introduced by the previous Labour government in 2018. Critics have noted that while it increased enrollment, it did not significantly improve completion rates or address skills shortages.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What was the fees-free university scheme?
It was a New Zealand government policy that provided students with their final year of university study free, introduced in 2018.
Why did Luxon call it a failure?
He stated it did not achieve its goals, such as improving completion rates or addressing skills shortages, and funding could be better used elsewhere.
Has the scheme been scrapped?
Yes, the current government has ended the fees-free program for the final year of study.
