An Otago Polytechnic student who turned to his students' association when he was in financial strife is not surprised student demand for foodbanks is increasing.
Automotive engineering student Rhys Bell was ''extremely'' grateful for the support he got from the Otago Polytechnic Students' Association (OPSA) last month in the weeks leading up to the birth of his son Jai.
''If we didn't get that assistance, we would have been in a lot worse state than we are now, probably a lot more underfed,'' Mr Bell said.
He is one of a growing number of financially struggling students seeking assistance from Dunedin student associations. Demand for Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) food packages climbed 12% this year compared with the corresponding time last year.
Demand for assistance from OPSA had also climbed in recent years, to the point where it changed the way it gave out assistance last year.
Mr Bell, who received groceries and money to pay for petrol and rent, said he was not surprised about the increase, given the troubles people had dealing with Studylink and Work and Income.
His and his partner's financial issues were related to Studylink eligibility, with their relationship not classed as ''de facto'' until their son was born.
He said the perception students could get by on almost nothing was not the ''right way of thinking''.
''Everybody's entitled to food and power. Everyone needs it to survive.''
OPSA president Rebecca Swindells said many students ''don't get enough to live on'', with those on student loans receiving about $170 for living costs.
After paying up to $130 on rent, students had little left over to pay for other necessities, she said.
There had been increased demand for financial support from OPSA in recent years, which had resulted in it changing how it provided assistance. There is now more focus on ''food bags'' and Go Cards, instead of emergency assistance and grocery vouchers.
''Demand has continued to rise and a lot of the demand has come from the part-time full-year students, [who] are not entitled to all of the components of student loans,'' she said.
OUSA president Francisco Hernandez said fewer jobs, cuts to student allowances and Studylink delays affected demand for OUSA food parcels, which had risen by 12%.
