TEU call for leadership and action over rising cost of living.
31 March 2026
Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update Vol 30, No 5
The escalating war on Iran and the impact this is having on the world in terms of unrest and surging costs is a shared challenge that requires leadership, planning and action now.
On Friday, Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary, Amy Ross, wrote to all tertiary education institution leaders urging them act now to help employees cope with the rising cost of living.
There is a significant impact on people who are required to travel for work, particularly those whose work locations require travel for some distance.
The TEU has asked your employers that they consider:
- Allowing greater workplace flexibility, allowing for workers who can do so to work from home more often.
- Where staff whose role either cannot be done from home or to do so may impact learners or other staff, that subsidies toward the cost of public transport (where it is available) are provided.
- Where public transport is not available that subsidies for mileage that can help bridge the gap between the standard cost of petrol and the current cost be provided.
This unprecedented escalation in costs makes getting to work a substantial barrier for many of our members, particularly those on lower wages. We will continue to press employers for leadership and action.
Also in this update:
Lincoln job cuts affect 40 FTEs
Te Tumu Arataki NWC Māori | National Vice president Māori - National Women’s Committee election