Every year, the University of Auckland students vote to elect fellow students

  • Who will make up the AUSA Executive, lead AUSA and act as representatives and spokespersons on their behalf. Being part of the Executive also means being part of the team that decides what AUSA does for students, amongst other things; and 
  • Who will be their University Council Student Representative. The Council Rep is elected to ensure the student voice is heard at the University’s highest level of governance. The role provides an opportunity to influence important decisions and shape the University’s future direction.

The broader mission of both roles is to represent and advocate for students across a wide range of issues by providing representation at some of the University’s highest decision-making bodies. Additionally, AUSA offers a plethora of student engagement activities on and off campus, as well as essential support services for students.

The nomination period for the 2024 University Council Student Representative will be announced soon.

  • 17th JulyNominations Open

  • 28th JulyNominations Close

  • 31st JulyCampaigning Begins

  • 14th AugustElection Voting Opens

  • 25th AugustElection Voting Closes

  • 25th AugustProvisional Results

  • 28th AugustFinal Results

    The 2024 AUSA Executive is announced.

Considering Running For A Position

AUSA is looking to elect our Student Executive for 2023, with nine positions available such as President, Education Vice-President and much more. These are paid roles ranging from 10 hours to 40 hours a week. You can learn more about the roles and what they entail by clicking on the positions on the left.

You don’t need any prior experience in “student politics” or specific skills to run for a position. However, roles such as being a class rep, an executive member of a club or Faculty Association may come in handy. You’ll receive ample support in your role, but commitment, energy, and a desire to improve the University of Auckland for its students are necessary. Past winners have come from various backgrounds and programmes of study. Don’t hesitate to give it a try before the nomination closes!
The President of AUSA is the Chair of the AUSA Executive and the AUSA Student Council, responsible for leading the Executive in its governance of the Association and in developing the Executive’s goals. Every day as President is different, but ultimately it’s about bringing out the best in the Executive, encompassing the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), supporting and working alongside the AUSA General Manager, and representing our students on matters relating to the student community in its generality and its affiliated student societies. The President has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

  • being the primary spokesperson and representative of AUSA – representing students and AUSA in the media;
  • chairing Executive and Student Council meetings;
  • act collectively as the democratic leadership of the student body at the University of Auckland and on behalf of the AUSA’s members to improve the student experience.
  • supporting the AUSA General Manager in the management of AUSA; and
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • representing students on University committees, University senior management, and working groups;
  • leading AUSA’s governance of AUSA’s trusts and entities; and
  • helping, as required, with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives.
This is a paid 40 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The Treasurer-Secretary is the administrative right hand to the President, responsible for assisting the President in managing the Executive and overseeing AUSA’s financial performance and strategy. The Treasurer-Secretary has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • working with the President, AUSA General Manager and Accountant to create the AUSA Budget; 
  • monitoring AUSA’s financial performance throughout their term in office; 
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • Supports the President as a member of the SLT;
  • participating in the governance of AUSA’s entities (UBIQ, Shadows, bFM, Property Trust); 
  • compiling minutes and agendas for Executive, SLT and Student Council meetings with the President and General Manager; and 
  • helping, as required, with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives. 
This is a paid 20 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The Education Vice-President (EVP) is AUSA’s representative on various academic decision-making bodies. The Education VP’s job is to voice the concerns and ideas of students to the University, often providing student feedback on consultations taking place across the University. The Education Vice-President works closely with the AUSA Student Council, regularly engaging with our Faculty and School Associations. The Education Vice-President has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • being AUSA’s representative on academic decision-making bodies (Senate, Education Committee, Teaching and Learning Quality Committee, Academic Programmes Committee and many others);
  • Supports the President as a member of the SLT;
  • providing student feedback on policy development at the University; 
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • working with the President to represent students, especially on an academic basis; and 
  • helping, as required, with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives. 
This is a paid 20 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The Engagement Vice-President (EngVP) of AUSA is responsible for championing issues that students care about outside of the University sphere – these might be causes like Climate Change, elections participation and engagement or anything that we think students need to care about and engage in. The Engagement Vice-President has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • leading AUSA’s campaigns efforts – directed either at the University, Local or National Government (for example, campaigns related to free public transport, General Elections, Local body elections, etc.);
  • Responsible for the management of the AUSA “Weeks Tender” programme and overseeing AUSA’s Themed Weeks
  • Chairing the Craccum Administration Board
  • Working with the Women’s Rights Officer and International Student Officer on their special edition magazines (KATE and UBUNTU)
  • Supports the President as a member of the SLT;
  • organising submissions on behalf of AUSA and the student body on consultation opportunities provided by the local or national government
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations; 
  • organising events related to issues concerning students; and 
  • helping, as required, with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives. 
This is a paid 20 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The Welfare Vice-President (WVP) of AUSA is responsible for advocating for student interests on issues of equity and student support at the University and overseeing AUSA’s grant process. The Welfare Vice-President often coordinates various welfare initiatives alongside AUSA’s partners in the University (most often Campus Life and the Equity Office). The Welfare Vice-President has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • managing AUSA’s grants process – seeing applications through from arrival to completion; 
  • overseeing AUSA’s Period Poverty Programme campaign
  • engaging with students on new student welfare initiatives; 
  • representing AUSA on decision-making bodies at the University related to student support and equity; 
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • Supports the President as a member of the SLT;
  • working with AUSA staff to ensure that AUSA is providing the best student support that it can; and 
  • helping, as required, with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives. 
This is a paid 20 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The International Students’ Officer (ISO) of AUSA is responsible for advocating for and representing our International Students and working with the AUSA Executive and Staff to support our International Students. The International Students’ Officer has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • representing international students on University decision-making bodies (mainly the International Committee);
  • Working with the Engagement Vice-President on the development of the International Student Magazine (UBUNTU) 
  • attending and participating in AUSA Executive and Student Council meetings;
  • chairing the AUSA International Student Subcommittee;
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • working with AUSA Staff (often the Buddies Manager) to run events to support international students; and 
  • helping, as required, with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives.
This is a paid 10 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024. 

Requirements: Must be an International Student at the University.
The Postgraduate Student Officer (PGO) of AUSA is responsible for representing our Postgraduate Students at the University of Auckland, working with the Education Vice-President to ensure that postgraduate student perspectives are included in University decision-making. The Postgraduate Student Officer has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • advocating and representing postgraduate students at the university in conjunction with the Education and Welfare Vice-Presidents; 
  • attending and participating in AUSA Executive and Student Council meetings; 
  • chairing the AUSA Postgraduate subcommittee;
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • working with the AUSA staff and Executive to put on events for postgraduate students;
  • work collaboratively and in good faith with PGSA; and 
  • helping as required with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives.
This is a paid 10 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024. 

Requirements: Must be a Postgraduate Student at the University.
The Women’s Rights Officer (WRO) of AUSA is responsible for advocating for and representing all self-identifying women on campus. In addition, the WRO is answerable for building a sense of community in Womenspace, our community space for self-identifying women on campus. The Women’s Rights Officer has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • advocating for gender equity at the University, particularly through University committees and decision-making bodies; 
  • attending and participating in AUSA Executive and Student Council meetings;
  • Working with the Engagement Vice-President on the development of the KATE Magazine 
  • chairing the AUSA Mana Wahine Subcommittee;
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • working with AUSA staff and Executive members to put on events; 
  • putting on events and developing a sense of culture in Womenspace; 
  • Holding office hours in Womenspace; and 
  • helping as required with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives.
This is a paid 10 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The Queer Rights Officer (QRO) of AUSA is responsible for advocating for and representing our LGBTQIATakatapui+ community here at UoA. In addition, the QRO is responsible for building a sense of community in Queerspace, our community space for queer-identifying students. The Queer Rights Officer has many responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

  • representing our queer student community on University decision-making bodies (mainly in Equity related committees and working groups); 
  • attending and participating in AUSA Executive and Student Council meetings; 
  • chairing the AUSA Queer Student Council subcommittee;
  • fulfilling executive duties by attending regular executive meetings, Student Council meetings, and adhering to reporting expectations;
  • working with AUSA Staff and Executive members to put on events; 
  • putting on events and developing a sense of culture in Queerspace;
  • holding office hours in Queerspace; and 
  • helping as required with any AUSA events or other student engagement initiatives. 
This is a paid 10 hour week role, with the term running from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.

Becoming a Candidate

  • Ensure you are eligible to run for a position.
  • Please create a <60-second video and a short statement on your candidacy (200 words max) that will be published on the AUSA website and the Engage Platform.
  • Ensure you submit your nomination form before the closing date.
  • Send your blurb and ‘passport’ style photo to be used in AUSA publicity.
  • Consider attending one of the Candidate Briefing sessions
  • Ensure you have read and understood the AUSA Election Rules and Procedures 2023

Voting

Voting is from 9 am Monday 14 August to 5 pm Friday 25 August.

To vote, simply use the electronic system provided on Engage. The link will go live when voting opens.

All University of Auckland enrolled students are eligible to vote in the student elections and it doesn’t matter if you aren’t a member of AUSA. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to vote. The individuals elected will have the power to make decisions that may impact all students, so selecting the candidate you believe would best represent your interests is crucial. The process is quick and easy; you will be able to learn more about the candidates by visiting the ‘Candidates statement page’.

In addition, you can keep up to date with the Election, get to know the candidates, and more by following the Facebook event page when it goes live.