Published: 4 July 2025
Source: Newstalk ZB – Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald
Dave Ananth, former IRD prosecutor, was featured on Newstalk ZB’s Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald on 4 July 2025, offering commentary on the current approach to student loan enforcement and overseas borrowers.
In the piece, host John MacDonald highlights concerns that New Zealanders living overseas who are behind on student loan repayments are increasingly reluctant to return home because they fear enforcement action at the border — including the possibility of arrest — despite a strong national need for their skills and expertise.
Ananth explains that a more pragmatic and compassionate approach — particularly involving hardship applications, negotiation with Inland Revenue, and structured repayment plans — would better serve both individuals and the country’s broader economic interests.
He suggests that the existing hardline stance is counterproductive: instead of encouraging talented Kiwis abroad to return and contribute, it may be deterring them at a time when sectors such as engineering, technology, and healthcare are seeking skilled workers.
For the full opinion piece, see the original article on Newstalk ZB.