Students: Auckland housing isn't good enough

Housing was the number one issue raised by students at last night’s Fair Play for Students Tour.

Around 20 people attended the Green Party event, which was facilitated by co-leader Metiria Turei and list MP Marama Davidson, at the University of Auckland.

A whakawhanaungatanga (process of relating to others) started the night off, where every person mentioned housing as an issue, in particular the poor quality of housing available and the costs involved.

Meg Williams, a 21-year-old law and arts student, wanted to flat but could only do so for the six weeks she received a student allowance last year.

“I could only afford a place that was $130 a week and it was way out in Henderson Valley. I had to walk 20 minutes to the train and spend an hour on the train … The house was terrible, it was damp and I kept getting hay fever from all the mould,” said Ms Williams.

Victoria Croucher, 25, is a postgraduate music student who also went flatting last year, but had to move back home after facing mounting financial pressures.

She said the condition of the flat contributed to sickness among her flatmates.

“When I was flatting people just got sick and stayed sick. I feel like when you're in a nice house that has ventilation and insulation, you can get better. But we all basically had a cough for months because you just don't have a chance to get better.”

Arts student, 20-year-old Oliver Buchanan, could not afford to study full-time and pay rent, so is now working a 40-hour week between two jobs and studying part-time in order to maintain his independence.

“I actually ended up dropping out of a couple of papers last year because I was mentally unwell and I think it was due to not eating right. It was just really stressful.

“Now I’m really busy but I find it’s not too bad because I’ve got money with my jobs to feed myself and afford basic luxuries to keep my health in check,” said Mr Buchanan.

Despite the event being organised by the Green Party and some members being present, Ms Turei believes the housing issues raised are not limited to their political following.

“There are lots and lots of issues that cross political boundaries and housing, transport and student well-being are some of them … they are all critical to students’ ability to have a good life,” she said.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei and list MP Marama Davidson kicked off their nationwide Fair Play for Students tour last night in Auckland. Photo: Laura Tupou

The Green Party is focusing on three areas of change: a Warrant of Fitness in rental housing, security of tenure, and affordable transport for students.

“We need to make these changes urgently and those changes have to be effective for the people that we’re working for. The only way we can make sure of that is to hear what they’ve got to say.”

Ms Turei and Ms Davidson are on a nationwide tour to speak to students, and will be holding another meeting tonight at the Palmerston North City Library.