Inland Revenue taking tougher line on student loan debtors
Inland Revenue is taking a tougher stance on overseas-based student loan defaulters, including border arrests.
More than 70% of 113,733 overseas borrowers are in default, owing $2.3 billion.
Since July, Inland Revenue collected $207 million, a 43% increase, from overseas borrowers.
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The arrest of a person arriving at the border last month over unpaid student loan debt is an example of Inland Revenue “making up for lost time”, one tax expert says.
Inland Revenue said at the end of April there were 113,733 people with student loans believed to be based overseas. More than 70% were in default on their loans, owing $2.3 billion, of which more than $1b is penalties and interest.
For about 24,000 of these overseas-based borrowers, the debt is more than 15 years old.
Inland Revenue has been taking a tougher line, including arrests at the border as a “measure of last resort”.
“New Zealand Customs informs us of any border crossings into New Zealand by overseas-based borrowers and airlines provide the travel information to us. We apply to the district court and the police make the actual arrest,” spokeswoman Jane Elley said.
“Once arrested and taken before the courts, a judge can order the defaulter to make reasonable efforts to arrange repayment to Inland Revenue.”
Since July 1 last year, 89 people had been told they could be arrested at the border. Eleven had taken action by either making acceptable payments, entering repayment plans or applying for hardship provisions.
“One person was arrested at the border last month and they have since paid off their debt.
“There are just over 150 overseas-based borrowers, with a combined default of $15m, who we actively look out for in case they return to New Zealand.”
Elley said Inland Revenue had collected more than $207m in repayments since July last year from student loan borrowers living overseas – a 43% increase on the same period the previous year.
Inland Revenue had an increase in student loan compliance funding in last year’s Budget.
“We’ve contacted more than 12,000 borrowers, 1320 have entered repayment plans, and 960 people have fully repaid their overdue amounts. They have collectively repaid $9m,” Elley said.
She said the department was also looking at borrowers who owned property in New Zealand. There were just over 300, she said.
“During the first six months of our increased compliance work they paid up $1.7m. For defaulters within this group who have refused to engage and resolve their default, further legal enforcement action will be taken, which may include NZ-based bankruptcy or charging orders over their properties.
“There were also 151 [borrowers] with NZ-based investments, and between July and December last year we received payments totalling $84,000 from some of them. Again, there could be legal action ahead, including taking deductions from their investments or bank accounts receiving interest income.”
Robyn Walker, a tax partner at Deloitte, said it was another example of where Inland Revenue had been dormant for a while and was now making up for lost time.
“In the past there has seemingly been very little effort applied to contacting overseas-based student loan defaulters, and ... many of them ... probably were blissfully unaware of mounting repayment liabilities, penalties and interest if Inland Revenue had difficulty contacting them.
“We’ve periodically heard the stories of borrowers being arrested at the border, and it’s actions like that which can really spur people on to get on top of their obligations.
“No one wants to not be able to come back to New Zealand for a special event or family emergency because they’re concerned that their student loan will catch up with them.”
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Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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