I hope Steven Joyce reads the feature story in the Dom Post this morning (not on-line so far as I can see). It is a story about the emerging importance of the Pasifika population in New Zealand to our future society and economy. Its an interesting read, but I was particularly taken by the story of Tristram Lupo-Samoa, a 23 year old of Niuean descent who is studying electronic engineering and computer systems at Victoria University.

He failed many of his core subjects in the first two years of a science degree. He’s now three years into a four year degree but it will take five years to complete as he had to repeat a first year paper.

This is the reality for many people, especially those from a background where there is no family history of tertiary education. Steven Joyce’s proposal to cut access to student loans (which Tristram relies on along with part-time work) if you fail more than half your course for two years is just too blunt an instrument. I am all for a merit based system, but not everyone starts from the same place. As Tristram says

Its pretty tough to be honest. I try to get help from everyone that I can. It was an unknown subject for my family, learning a whole lot of new things. It takes a lot of my time because it takes me a lot of time to understand concepts. Its hard for me but I am willing. I would rather have it hard than easy because I know it will pay off in the end.

Tristram sounds like a really sensible young man, but he says he sometimes asks himself why he is doing his study.

Because I want to achieve something, something great in my life. Something my parents and family can be proud of.

As a country we need to support and invest in Tristram, and not try to apply a one size fits policy that will deprive him and us of a great future.