With the cost of living soaring, university students are often hit the hardest.
An inquiry launched by the Green Party and student associations has found thousands of students are living in poverty.
Student life is tough, and even with a part-time job, Victoria University of Wellington student Alyssa Horning struggles to make ends meet.
"You're left with nothing at the end of the week."
Her student allowance is $300 a week, but $250 of it goes to her landlord - and the soaring cost of living is making life even harder.
"Last year was costing me maybe $40 a week in groceries. I mean, I'm very, very reserved about how much I'm spending on that. Now it's easily $70."
Horning is one of more than 4500 students who responded to an inquiry into students' wellbeing.
It found that two-thirds of students often don't have enough money for food, clothes, healthcare, and bills. Additionally, it found that two-thirds can't pay for public transport or vehicle costs and 69 percent reported a decline in their mental wellbeing over the past two years.
National vice president of the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Sam Blackmore said the inquiry shows how broken promises from politicians can harm the lives of students.
"Students remain some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Borrowing money to live in an environment that makes them sick - through mould and cold - all while eating two-minute noodles."
Green Party spokesperson for tertiary education Chlöe Swarbrick said students are struggling significantly and it's completely avoidable.
"None of this is inevitable. It is the consequence of political decisions that have been made over the past few decades and continue to be made to this day."
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the current Government has done far more for students than the previous one, including a free first year at university, raising student allowances, and introducing healthy home standards.
"We also put the Hardship Fund and Technology Access Funds in place to help students stay engaged with their learning, access the equipment they need, as well as provide general support with wellbeing and costs of studying throughout COVID-19," he said.
"The Hardship Fund for Learners was topped up by a further $20 million last year because the Government recognises the pressure students have been under.
"We have worked alongside tertiary students to introduce a new code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic and international learners, which came into effect at the beginning of this year."
Hipkins said the Government has made the biggest mental health investment in history, but the inquiry is calling for the Government to go even further.
It wants student allowances lifted and made available to all and is recommending putting rent controls and warrants of fitness in place, improving mental health services, and making public transport free for tertiary students.
"The solutions are quite simple," Swarbrick said.
Solutions advocates say could lift students like Horning out of poverty.
