# Green Party proposes universal weekly payments for student health and education placements

> Green Party plans to pay students $380 weekly for health and education placements to reduce dropout rates.
- Title: Green Party proposes universal weekly payments for student…
- Summary: Green Party plans to pay students $380 weekly for health and education placements to reduce dropout rates. Green Party will provide $380 weekly payments to…
- Keywords: green party, student placements, health workers, teachers, nursing, university, studylink, student loans, weekly payments, new zealand, election 2026, politics
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-greens-want-universal-weekly-payments-for-nurses-teachers-health-workers/TEYFBPAGOFHHLFNE7XCAL4HLE4
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: green party, student placements, health workers, teachers, nursing, university, studylink, student loans, weekly payments, new zealand, election 2026, politics
## Green Party plan
The Green Party will launch a policy offering universal weekly payments for students training in health and education roles.
## Weekly payment amount
Students receive $380 weekly for placements, on top of existing student loans or allowances.
## Duration of payments
The payment covers the full duration of students' compulsory placements.
## Relocation support
Students relocating for placements may receive up to $1500 to cover moving costs.
## Targeted sectors
The policy focuses on sectors where unpaid placements cause high dropout rates, including health and education.
## Marama Davidson's view
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says unpaid placements push students out of critical sectors like health and education.
## Chlöe Swarbrick's view
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick states students are currently forced to work unpaid for hundreds or thousands of hours in health and education roles.
## Policy cost estimate
The Green Party estimates the policy will cost $74 million to $80 million annually.
## Administered through Studylink
The payments will be managed through Studylink for courses including nursing, teaching, and social work.
## Purpose of policy
The policy aims to improve student retention and widen access to health and education careers for all backgrounds.
## Key courses covered
The policy covers clinical psychology, nursing, teaching, social work, and other health and education courses.
## Green Party co-leaders
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick are pushing for the policy to address student retention issues.
## Student retention challenge
The policy targets sectors where unpaid placements lead to high student dropout rates.
## Current student situation
Students in health and education fields often work unpaid for hundreds or thousands of hours to enter these professions.
## Policy implementation
The policy will be implemented through Studylink for students in specific health and education courses.
## What happens next
The Green Party will launch the policy at a co-leader stand-up event in Auckland on October 15, 2026.
## Key takeaway

Green Party will provide $380 weekly payments to students in health and education fields during placements to prevent dropout.