For the third year in a row, the Student Finance team has collaborated with the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington to help students subsidise the costs of heating their whare during the cold winter months.
The Winter Energy Grants fundraising campaign was born out of the recognition that rates of energy poverty amongst students have steadily increased over the past few years. Paige Jarman, manager of the Student Finance team, says that students often report sacrificing essential expenses, such as groceries or transportation costs, in order to pay their energy bills. Others simply go without heat because they can’t afford it—and experience negative repercussions, such as increased sickness and poor mental health, in the process.
This year’s campaign was a massive success and raised $50,000 through the combined generosity of VUW alumni, staff, corporate suppliers, and a private donation. Students are encouraged to submit one grant application per household, and the amount awarded (up to $350) varies based on how many students live at the residence.
Paige reported that 940 applications were submitted to the Student Finance team, which is up from 437 in 2024. By the time all the grants are distributed, 1,600 students will receive support since many of the applications cover multiple students—a significant increase from 894 total students last year.
“This annual campaign continues to grow in its success, and the number of applications we receive nearly doubles each year,” says Paige. “This is partly due to my team promoting the grants more widely across campus, but there’s also just a growing need for support during these tough times.”
The $50,000 brought in through public donations are topped up by the Student Hardship Fund, which all VUW students contribute to through a student services levy. These combined sources of revenue ensure a total of $100,000 will be distributed as grants to students who need it.
An afternoon tea was held at the Kelburn campus to thank the corporate suppliers and staff who contributed to the campaign. At the event, student Bernard Nunns spoke about how meaningful it was to receive a grant.
“Something like this for me and my whānau has a huge impact on our lives,” Bernard said. “$350 might not sound like a lot to some people, but we’ve got two young boys at home who eat like teenagers. Being able to put our money toward keeping them fed and healthy instead of worrying about the power bill is really significant. This grant has helped ease our finances quite a bit.”
He thanked the donors with a rousing haka that echoed through the halls of the Hunter Building and left everyone feeling energised. To close the gathering, Sue O’Donnell, Executive Director of the Development and Alumni Relations Office, spoke on how the Winter Energy Grant campaign ties into the University’s core values.
“Together you’ve demonstrated what manaakitanga really means,” said Sue. “It's kindness in action, and that’s exactly what your donations have done for our students.”