New data suggests Labour’s fees-free university scheme failed to reach the students it was meant to help.

Of the 26-thousand students who went straight from Year 13 into study in its final year, just 1.3 percent came from the most disadvantaged schools - around 230 students.

The policy aimed to lift participation by 12 percent by removing cost barriers to higher education.

It has since been scrapped by the current Government, with support now limited to the final year of study.

VUWSA Vice President Aiddan Donoghue tells Ryan how the scheme has been for students.