New Zealand: Consultants to look into Winz ongoing problems with student loans

WELLINGTON -- The Government has hired a private consultancy company to find out why there have been so many problems with student loans.

Work and Income New Zealand has been struggling to keep up with loan and allowance allocations since it took over the task from tertiary institutions last year.

Associate Education Minister Steve Maharey said yesterday an evaluation of the problems would be carried out by Karen Erenstrom Associates, the cost being met from existing budgets.

"The focus of this evaluation is squarely on making sure students don't have to face the delays they experienced this year," he said. "Students have been badly affected by problems with loans processing this year. I want to be sure we find out why so we can get on with fixing the problems."

http://www.press.co.nz/2000/16/000420n11.htm

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), April 21, 2000