Exclusive: Inland Revenue kept fees-free ads running after learning scheme would end

Azaria HowellPolitical Reporter·Newstalk ZB·26 Aug, 2026 05:00 PM4 mins to read‌Inland Revenue said its fees-free advertisements targeted learners who were already eligible to receive entitlements. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Inland Revenue is defending its decision to run ads for the fees-free tertiary education scheme for more than a month after it knew the policy was being axed.

The Government agency spent $50,000, excluding GST, to run advertising through Google Ads, Meta, Go Media and TVNZ between May 4 to