Struggling Indian students 'getting into drug addiction, gambling'

Indian community leaders have warned of a backlash because Indian students are increasingly running into problems including prostitution, crime, and exploitation by employers.

They said too many students were struggling and tertiary institutions and the government needed to take better care of them.

Students spoken to by RNZ complained of overcrowded housing, a lack of job opportunities and poor-quality education.

They said low paid work was common, with many paid only $5 or $6 an hour by employers they said were Indian or Fijian.

The students told RNZ their agents in India had misled them about life in New Zealand and they wanted more help finding work and accommodation.

The administrator of the Nanaksar Sikh temple in Manurewa, Rajvinder Singh, said the temple provided three meals a day and each meal attracted about 100 students.

Mr Singh said many of the students came for religious or community support and some simply wanted a meal because they were finding it hard to make ends meet.

Rajvinder Singh: "They're getting into gambling, they're getting into drug addiction, they're getting into prostitution." Photo: RNZ / John Gerritsen

But he said a growing number, currently about 8-10 per month, came for help with serious problems.

"They're getting into gambling, they're getting into drug addiction, they're getting into prostitution," he said.

Mr Singh said many of the students did not understand what they were allowed and not allowed to do in New Zealand.

"They are getting into a lot of trouble with the law because nobody guides them, nobody's telling them."