As student hall costs rise, RAs lose their rent reduction

Resident Advisers at the University of Auckland say fewer people will want to do the vital role, now a significant rent reduction has been taken away. Resident Advisers - or RAs - as they're known, play an integral role in supporting students in halls of residence, particularly those who are away from home for the first time. They're paid an hourly wage for their work, and were receiving a 25 per cent discount in rent. But while the University is raising their hourly wage to the living wage of $26.25, the rent discount for next year has been scrapped altogether. Kathryn speaks to an RA about the situation, as well as Matthew Lee, chair of the group Students for Fair Rent.