Dear National Party,
You are ruining my life.
After undergoing a hiatus from University to raise my now four year old son it was with great pleasure that I made the decision to return to my academic studies, and extend myself beyond completing my BA in Anthropology into a long held aspiration of attending Otago Law.
In standing with meeting the admittance criteria to Otago Law, I had arranged with the Dean of Law to use my grades from 2009 to meet part of the entrance requirements, leaving me open to concentrate fully on LAWS101 – The Legal System, and hopefully gain admittance to second year Law. It would require one year of part time study before I could study full time in 2018, something that my doctor supported as I suffer from anxiety and depression. This part time year would help me to adjust to a study schedule while minimising the risk of triggering these illnesses.
I knew it was going to be hard work, but I was determined to both fulfil my own dreams and to show my son that your dreams are worth fighting for; that hard work and perseverance can make those dreams possible.
All I needed was one year.
Today I had an appointment with Work and Income. Yes, I am a beneficiary as I am a sole parent. This is not something I ever intended to be permanent. I am not a “dole bludger” – I worked from the time I was 17 getting my first job, right until I was pregnant with my son, and as mentioned have plans for the future.
But part time study doesn’t help me meet the requirements of my new work seeking obligations as introduced to me today. I have been told I need to actively seek and take on a minimum 20 hours of work per week or get my benefit cut. One of the main reasons I was only studying part time was because of my aforementioned illnesses. By adding these 20 hours of work on top of studying, it defeats the purpose of undertaking it at a part time level. I may as well be studying full time.
I was told that if my mental health prevents me from completing both my study and work obligations, then my priority needs to be work. Because picking up a minimum wage job that keeps me on the poverty line, seems to be far preferable to current government than making the effort to better both my life and the life of my son by obtaining a good education that will see me into a life-long career.
But according to you, if I can study, I can work.
I do not know what to do from here. I feel disillusioned by the New Zealand government. I feel let down. How can I show my son that his future is worth fighting for when I cannot even fight for my own? All I want is to give my family a better chance at life.
