OPINION: Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt pens an open letter to Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.

Dear Jacinda,

Like many New Zealanders I'm overwhelmed by your warm, friendly, style, boundless enthusiasm, debating skills and positivity.

KAVINDA HERATH/STUFF "Please don't crush us," says Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt to Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.

However, I hope and pray that if you succeed in your attempt to become Prime Minister of New Zealand in the forthcoming elections you will not use your power to crush Invercargill.

My job is to protect the interests of our city.

In 1993 when I was first elected as Invercargill's Mayor, we were the fastest declining city in New Zealand or Australia.

Then thanks to Penny Simmonds, her senior staff and board members, the Southern Institute of Technology introduced a brilliant Zero Fee Scheme.

This meant for example if you graduated as a nurse, you saved $15,000.

As a result we attracted students from all over New Zealand and our student roll increased from 1400 students to almost 3600 students.

By the 2013 census our population had increased by 2.7 per cent.

The Zero Fee Scheme cost $7.25 million to establish and promote and was courageously supported by the Invercargill City Council, our two community trusts, local businesses and SIT itself.

Now the Labour Party policy is to introduce a Zero Fee type scheme throughout New Zealand that will be completely funded by the state.

Labour's plans will totally undermine Invercargill's marketing edge and our innovative point of difference.

However, Southlanders are resilient and we are presently considering a scheme of rent free accommodation for tertiary students.

Obviously, unlike other institutions, we won't require support for Zero Fees, as we've already achieved that objective.

This letter is a request to Central Government to support our extensive construction program so that we can offer students free accommodation.

That will help us maintain our student numbers and take a little pressure off the housing crisis in our larger cities.

Recently SIT have spent $13 million on student apartments and have also built 60 transportable family homes.

I believe Central Government should match that dollar for dollar.

You followed our concept of dramatically reducing the costs of gaining a tertiary qualification and we don't object to that.

After all imitation is the highest form of flattery.

I'm sure you will consider it only fair to help us take the next step forward with an initiative for rent free tertiary education.

Best wishes,

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt