Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 22 June 2010. Volume:664;Page:12005. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
8. 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) 
 to the  
Minister for Tertiary Education 
: Does he stand by his statement in regard to restricted enrolments in some university courses that it “would not be ideal to see too much of this at this time”? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education) 
: 
 Yes. Universities have always had the autonomy to set their own entrance criteria but it would be counter-productive to overly restrict enrolments for 2011. A number of factors will see demand pressures reduce in that year including the effect of some policy changes announced in Budget 2010 plus the 765 new places the Government is funding over and above the record level of provision in 2010. 
Grant Robertson 
: Why is the Minister standing by as Auckland University Waikato University Massey University Victoria University and Otago University all restrict entry far more than ever before; or is he no longer ambitious for New Zealand? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: Firstly the restrictions on admissions are being caused by the move by the previous Labour Government to cap enrolments and cap spending following its imposition of the interest-free loans policy. Having said that a number of factors will come together next year to relieve that demand pressure including a record number of funded places at universities in 2011. In fact there will be 5600 more than 3 years ago. Secondly there is the easing of the recession. Thirdly there are the changes to student loan entitlements for new residents and Australians and fourthly there is the introduction of a performance element for students already at university. 
Grant Robertson 
: Given that answer does the Minister accept that his plans to relieve demand pressure is another way of saying that some New Zealanders will not be able to go on to tertiary study and achieve their potential? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: No. I am saying that it is important to consider not just the amount of funding but also how that funding is used which is something that seems to have escaped the Opposition. From the enrolments that are already funded in the university system we are seeking to ensure that people are making good academic progress while they are being funded by the taxpayers of New Zealand to complete their academic education. I think the taxpayers of New Zealand will see that as entirely fair. 
Grant Robertson 
: Why does the Minister think it is acceptable that a policy of open entry to New Zealand universities which had its origins just after World War I is now being cast aside and that he is not taking action to do anything about it? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: It is interesting to hear the member opposite rewrite history but there has always been restricted entry as far as I can remember—and I remember first going to university in 1981. I had a restricted entry to my vet degree that resulted in my doing the zoology degree that has often been talked about. There have always been restrictions on different courses at universities. The point is that this year we have the highest number of core university places that have ever been funded in this country and there will be a higher number next year. We have the highest number of funded core polytech places this year and there will be a higher number next year.