University winter energy grant uptake more than triples

Monday, 8 September 2025

More than 1600 students have sought support for energy payments over the winter through a hardship grant provided by Victoria University of Wellington. (File photo)

The number of students applying for Victoria University’s winter energy hardship grant has more than tripled since its inception three years ago, reflecting what students’ association president Liban Ali describes as a “grim reality” for those struggling to afford basic living costs.

Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington handed out $185,250 to 1620 students this year to help pay their energy bills over winter – an uptake that had more than tripled since the grant started in 2023.

In Monday’s Victoria University council meeting, Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith told the council that the Winter Energy Grant was a “very well-received initiative that supports many of our students with the cost of power during the cold winter months”.

The grant was funded by the Student Hardship Fund and donations from staff, alumni, and university suppliers.

Smith said in the meeting that the average monthly power bill for a student flat had increased by about 20% since 2023, contributing to a significant increase in applications for 2025.

In 2023, 265 applications were submitted and $48,850 distributed, supporting a total of 576 students. In 2024, it went up to 437 applications, $80,700 distributed, supporting 894 students and this year up to 940 applications, $185,250 distributed to support 1620 students.

Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) president Liban Ali says the uptake in applications for the Winter Energy Grant highlights a ‘grim’ reality for students.

Ali said students lived on highly strained incomes and the grant immediately had a massive uptake.

“We hear those experiences of students who are living in damp, mouldy flats, and that they won't be able to put on the heater because they don't want to run up the power bill because they can't afford it,” he said.

“The numbers always surprise me and how grim it is – it shows you the reality of what students are going through.”

Currently the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) was campaigning for tertiary students to be included in the Government’s Winter Energy Payment which supported recipients of main benefits, NZ Super and the Veteran’s Pension.

It had launched two petitions amassing more than 1000 signatures and also published an open letter to members of Parliament, signed by several unions, service providers and student associations across the country.

VUWSA welfare vice-president Josh Robinson, who led the campaign, said the support was often the difference between students being able to afford heating, as well as basic costs for necessities.

“As someone who grew up in poverty, I have had first hand experience of the benefits that the Winter Energy Payment can provide to whānau,” Robinson said.

“The only other time in my life where I have endured such poverty is when I have been a student at Victoria University of Wellington.”

Last year, he was diagnosed with black mould exposure, likely caused by a patch of mould behind his bed.

It affected students’ ability to learn and was an experience shared by students across the country, he said.

Public transport costs also presented a barrier to students and Ali was encouraged by the Vice Chancellor’s office’s commitment to its Public Transport Hardship Relief, contributing $10,000 as an interim measure to help students with transport costs.

Ali said that looking ahead to 2006 they were working to expand the Bus Pass service and widening routes and zones.

Taking out more on a student loan only increased debt.

“If you're already taking out a student loan to cover your tuition fees, you don't want to keep building up onto that. It's really crippling, and it's very demoralising for students.”