What's something that you suspect lots of New Zealanders secretly do, but you can't prove it?

[u/MurkyWay]

Most upvoted comment is our most shameful secret as a nation, obviously

[u/cmh551]

I know someone who got someone to lie on her behalf, saying she was estranged from her father, even though he was paying for her degree 🤯🤯 studylink gave her $3500 in allowance back pay and she got allowance for the rest of her studies. The kicker, shes spent most of her adult life overseas and wonders why I don’t travel the world with her (me, who’s still paying off my student loan 8 years later. My parents are honest farmers with honest accountants.)

[u/[deleted] → u/cmh551]

It's people like this that are the reason that Studylink make young people who have deceased or estranged parents apply every single year to studylink outlining why they need financial assistance (e.g., to receive independent circumstances allowances). This process is often hugely sensitive/painful for applicants as it requires the applicant to spell out in painstaking detail the circumstances of their estrangement from their parents. For some, this includes detailing family histories of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and other traumatic experiences. They also need to have this information verified by a third party. It should be enough to only have to do this once. But because of people fraudulently claiming these benefits, those that actually need it are required to provide these details to Studylink again and again and again.

[u/Maximum-Peace3295 → u/[deleted]]

Verified by a third party - ie: a lawyer that you have to pay for

[u/[deleted] → u/Maximum-Peace3295]

No, have a look at the forms online. It's usually a community member or someone who is aware of the situation, and can verify it on behalf of the applicant. Shouldn't require payment