As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you won't be required to pay tuition fees in your first year, even if you fail one or more papers. FeesFree.govt.nz FAQs Last updated 22/04/2020 11.28 AM Did this answer your question? Yes No Related answers Failed a paper What "fees-free" covers How fees-free study works Completing three years of study before receiving fees-free Eligibility for fees-free first year of tertiary study