• By Parmjeet Parmar, Pakuranga-based ACT List MP

Most Kiwis believe in a fair go. It’s one of the reasons I chose to make New Zealand my home, and it’s what guides my work in Parliament.

Recently, I’ve heard from more and more people who are concerned about how some universities are using public money.

At some institutions, students are being offered certain opportunities based on their ethnicity. This includes access to special support or being allowed into spaces others are not.

That doesn’t sit well with many students and parents. It’s raised questions about whether our universities are still treating people equally.

I’ve drafted a bill that aims to fix this. The Education and Training (Equal Treatment) Amendment Bill would make sure public funding is handed out based on actual need, not racial background.

If a student is facing financial hardship or other barriers to success, they should be able to access help.

But race shouldn’t be the deciding factor when taxpayer money is involved.

To be clear, this bill doesn’t stop private organisations from offering targeted support.

If an iwi or community group wants to run a scholarship for a particular group, they’re welcome to do that. My focus is on fairness in how public institutions spend public money.

Since announcing the bill, I’ve had strong support from across the country, including here in east Auckland.

Many migrant families have shared how their children work hard and meet the standards but still miss out because of these policies.

Not everyone has welcomed the conversation. After the bill was made public, AUT dean of law Khylee Quince responded by saying, “Immigrant forgets where she lives”.

It’s disappointing to see that kind of reaction from a senior academic. I’m proud of my background, and I believe people from all walks of life should feel comfortable speaking up about fairness in public policy.

We all want to lift students who are falling behind. But we should do it by looking at their circumstances, not by making assumptions based on ethnicity.

Every student deserves to be treated as an individual and given a fair chance to succeed.