University Funding Shortfalls, Living Wage Rise, and the KiwiSaver Minimum Contribution Rate Increase w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 2 April, 2026

The Tertiary Education Commission does not have enough funding for all student enrollments, meaning they’re carrying unsubsidised domestic students.

The living wage is increasing by 95c, to $29.90. It is calculated independently and released by Living Wage Aotearoa NZ. 

And from yesterday, the default rate for KiwiSaver contributions from both employers and employees has increased by half a per cent to 3.5 percent.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asked MP Shanan Halbert about all of these issues.