News In Brief

Parents can claim one-third back on school fees

Family First is reminding and possibly informing parents that when they complete their IRD Tax Returns for the financial year ended 31 March, 2009, they are entitled to claim back one-third of their school fees.

“Amidst the debate on whether school fees are compulsory or not, many parents aren’t aware that school donations qualify for the Donations Rebate,” says national director Bob McCoskrie.

“This rebate which now has no cap means that parents can get a refund of a third of the school donation. This may be welcome news to families struggling with beginning-of-year expenses.”

$3 taxis launched for Polytechnic students

The Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA), in conjunction with Otago Polytechnic and Dunedin Taxis, are introducing $3 taxis for all Polytechnic students during Orientation.

“The main thing for OPSA during this time is to ensure that our students can enjoy the Orientation season safely,” said OPSA co-president Ryan Ward.

The taxis have been available for all Otago Polytechnic students since Monday 16th February, running after 10.00 p.m. and until 6.00 a.m. every week night until Friday 6th March, to take students from the CBD or Orientation events back to their own residence.

Fruit and vegetables drive food prices up

Food prices increased 0.8 per cent in January 2009, Statistics NZ has said. The most significant contribution to the increase came from the fruit and vegetables subgroup (up 3.6 per cent), driven by higher prices for tomatoes (up 49.5 per cent), kiwi fruit (up 48.2 per cent), and mandarins (up 37.3 per cent).

These increases were partly offset by lower prices for apples (down 11.3 per cent) and potatoes (down 7.4 per cent).

For the year to January 2009, food prices rose 9.5 per cent.

New student numbers up at Whanganui UCOL

Whanganui’s new Matapihi ki te Ao campus, is proving to be a drawcard for new students.
They report an increase of four per cent in new students enrolled for the first semester this year.

Campus Principal Julia Pedley says enrolments at Whanganui UCOL are strong in hairdressing, culinary arts, exercise and sport and nursing.

“This suggests students are looking ahead to the good employment prospects in some of these areas.”