Education Minister Anne Tolley and Labour Party leader Phil Goff both had separate private meetings with Waikato University Vice-Chancellor Roy Crawford about enforcing a restriction on student numbers - while Nexus was on holiday, blissfully unaware

Education Minister Anne Tolley did not speak to the Waikato Times after her meeting – Nexus speculates that if it had been present it might have had to dodge bear traps.

However, Labour leader Phil Goff was happy to banter with the Waikato Times about how the government will be enforcing a restriction on student numbers at Waikato University from 2010, otherwise funding would be cut if the increase of numbers is over three percent.

“It seems astonishing that at a time when we’ve just had the biggest increase in unemployment in any one quarter the university next year will be faced with turning students away,” said Goff.

“They’re (Waikato University) already 106 per cent of what they’re funded to be.”

However, when Nexus asked the university whether or not they would be turning students away next year, they were a little more sceptical.
“The University has been in regular discussions with the TEC for many months about pressures on enrolments this year and year-end projections. A decision on how Waikato University will manage student numbers for 2010 is still several weeks away as proposals must go through the University Council and Academic Board,” said Media Manager Peta Goldsworthy.
Nexus will be closely following this story as it unfolds and picking up any other scents from the infamous Minister of Education.