Auckland students struggle amid fuel and food cost crisis

Research by the University of Auckland found 45 per cent of its students are struggling to access affordable, nutritious and appropriate food.

Student associations are fighting to give students more government support.

Those living away from home were found more likely to experience financial troubles that lead to food insecurity.

Lead researcher Dr Berit Follong says rising costs are pushing students to cut back on essentials.

“Many students are juggling high living costs, limited income and study demands.

“For some, food is where they make compromises."

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found students needed nutritious food to support brain function.

“Deficiencies in specific nutrients have been associated with impaired cognitive function, including decreased attention, learning, and memory.”

Finances are the main concern, with 80 per cent of students not able to afford healthy meals.

The lack of time to buy and prepare food was a highlight.

To cope with the stress, students have resorted to reducing meal sizes, buying the cheapest ingredients and saving food for later.

Medicine student at the university Hannah Walton lives away from home and says she’s conscious of food prices.

“If I'm not careful, a shop adds up so quickly, so I have to be quite good about not shopping while I’m hungry [and] writing a list.”

She says she can normally find some cheap vegetables, but “the part where it gets quite pricey is meat".

“To actually get enough protein in, I have to be quite careful.”

Walton works part time but says she can’t work much during the week as she’s busy with her university classes.

Student associations are warning that rising fuel prices are making it more difficult to afford healthy food and pay for transport.

Leaders of Auckland University Student Association (AUSA) and Auckland University of Technology Student Association (AUTSA) say the rise in fuel prices is worsening the struggle.

The associations are now petitioning for a student-relief package that would provide free public transport and financial support.

AUTSA president James Portegys says the situation is causing increased hardship.

“Since 2020, demand for our foodbank service has increased significantly, rising from fewer than 200 parcels per year to over 1,800 in 2025.

“This clearly demonstrates a growing need for support, which is now being further intensified by rising fuel costs.”

AUSA president Nimish Milan Singh says the impact is affecting students’ attendance as they face unaffordable transport costs to campus.

“We are seeing students stay home because they cannot afford to travel.

“Free public transport would alleviate some of this pressure and ensure students can continue to access their education.”

Both associations say students haven’t been considered in the Government’s cost of living assistance measures.

They are now calling for students to receive free public transport, eligibility to access the $50 weekly relief payment and an increase in living cost allowances.

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Our journalists sometimes use AI tools which are checked by humans for accuracy. 

AI was used to transcribe audio from the interview.