Maybe they should just you know start paying back their loans

Stuff reports:

A second student loan arrest is causing borrowers overseas to become sick with worry, the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations says.

NZUSA president Linsey Higgins said people who have got in touch since the arrests are “terrified” and “at their wit’s end” following the arrest of a woman at Auckland Airport on Tuesday.

It’s very simple – they should contact IRD and arrange to start paying back their loans. It doesn’t have to be a lump sum. IRD will be flexible so long as they are making some effort. But if you refuse to make any repayments at all, well then there are consequences.