Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni looks set to front foot a rescue package of sorts for the country's struggling universities who are facing hundreds of job cuts and the axing of some programmes amid falling enrollments.
The loss-making universities blame underfunding for their problems.
The expected announcement follows an open letter, supported by the vice-chancellors of Otago and Victoria, pleading with Education Minister Jan Tenetti for short-term relief.
Carmel Sepuloni spoke to Corin Dann.
