Student numbers at the University of Otago are set to grow by the largest amount since 2010, but the university is unsure how much Labour's free tertiary education policy is behind the increase. Enrolment numbers rose in 2010 but fell steadily between 2010 and 2015, picking up slightly in 2016 and dropping again in 2017. Otago Chamber of Commerce president David Shelton said there was no doubt the increase in student numbers was positive for Dunedin's economy. School results also demonstrated the students were ''the most academically gifted'' cohort ever to attend the University of Otago, Prof Hayne said. Last year, lower than expected numbers of domestic students contributed to the university's operating surplus being below budget at the end of 2017.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 13, 2018 15:56 UTC