VUWSA x PSA Secure Our Future Rally

Te Aka Tauira – the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association will be rallying outside Parliament alongside the Public Service Association on Thursday 30 July at 1:00 pm to call for action on key issues affecting students’ futures.

The Secure Our Future rally will bring students and supporters together to call for three key changes: a universal paid placement system for nursing, teaching, medicine, midwifery and social work students; the reinstatement of Fees-Free; and the reinstatement of paused graduate programmes alongside expanded graduate and internship opportunities across the public sector.

Students are increasingly being asked to shoulder greater costs while facing fewer opportunities to build a secure future after graduation. According to VUWSA’s State of the Students survey, 70% of students have considered moving overseas to find work and opportunities after graduating. In comparison, just 33% feel hopeful about finding opportunities in their field here in Aotearoa.

Students should not have to choose between completing compulsory placements and being able to afford to live, or be held back from pursuing higher education because of the cost. There needs to be genuine opportunities to build careers in Aotearoa, with strong graduate programmes and pathways into the public sector. We need a Government that is willing to invest in students. This means having a universal paid placements system, restoring Fees-Free, and creating more graduate and internship opportunities. 

VUWSA has invited representatives from all Government and Opposition parties to attend the rally and speak to students about their plans for the future of tertiary education, student support and public sector employment.

The rally will take place at Parliament Grounds from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm on Thursday 30 July. Students will then walk together to Pipitea Campus RH105 for a provided lunch. VUWSA encourages students, staff and members of the public to attend the rally and stand alongside students in calling for a more secure future.