Candidate Statements 2022

If a candidate is running for more than one position then their preference is indicated in brackets after their name.

President

Alan Shaker
Nominator: Alofa So’olefai
Seconder: Steven Wijaya

Kia ora!

My name is Alan Shaker, I have been the AUSA Education Vice-President for the last two years, and I am now running to be your next AUSA President.

So why am I running to be the AUSA President? I have absolutely loved working for AUSA in the last two years. I am proud to have been part of the AUSA team that advocated for grade bumps and scrapping compassionate consideration fees. I have seen dramatic growth in student voice, but I also recognise areas in which we need to do better.

My journey into student politics has been an interesting one. In my first-year, I didn’t get involved in anything. In my second-year, I started by becoming a Class Rep and joining my Faculty Student Association. Later, I joined AUSA as the EVP, a role I have served for two years. Through this role, I have been effectively “training” for Presidency over the last two years, sitting on University committees and establishing relationships with key staff, students and other student associations.

As the University is well into its strategic plan and Curriculum Transformation, it is crucial that we continue to have consistent and coherent representation.

A vote for Alan is a vote for YOU; For experience, diversity, passion, equity, and progress. #VoteShaker
https://www.facebook.com/VoteShaker4AUSAPresident

Danico Vanwyck Castro Rico (1)
Nominator: Tandhi-Sue Auger
Seconder: Mahek Nagar

Tena kotou katua, I’m Danico. I’m a BA and LLB conjoint student. I’m majoring in Law, Politics, and Philosophy. But before I prattle on about my qualifications and achievements. I’d like to enlighten and inaugurate you to your benefits if you vote for me. That I, myself, as a previous class representative from previous classes have acquired and refined. If you vote for me in my desired positions I have just 3 promises in my position. If you vote for me I can promise you an ease of communication and approachability. I may or may not look intimidating to some but the case will always be the same, you’ll always be able to come to me. If you vote for me, I can promise you honesty and truthfulness. I believe that these are the foundation of trust between us, peers. I’m an open book, if you have any questions you can always ask me. And if you vote for me, I can promise you my commitment to helping others. I’ll always be there to lend a helping hand. Now, I’m not asking you to vote for me but I sure do hope that you do.

Ruisong Xue
Nominator: Yishan Jin
Seconder: Nehaal Deo

Kia Ora! 2022 has been my fifth year at the university, and eighth year in New Zealand. As a master’s student, I have lived in three different departments, spent my most time in university clubs, and had so many amazing memories on this campus.

I was the vice-president/president who led the “2019 cultural club of the year” for three successive years, and was the person who developed international collaboration with 24 cultural clubs. But I was also the one who struggled when half of the committee members were stuck overseas by COVID-19, and the student who stayed up in computer lab till 0:00 am for one crazy assignment.

This year I am running for the president of AUSA. As the president, my main focus will be consolidating our AUSA framework and making it more effective. Since a few years ago, AUSA has been working to represent more students. But can we keep our way going? As new students entering uni and old students coming back to campus, can we build a better channel to communicate with AUSA? Vote for me, and I will do my best!

Education-Vice President

Qun Ma (1)
Nominator: Chen Jia
Seconder: Chenyu Ni

Kia ora tātou. Ko Qun taku ingoa. My name is Qun. I am a doctoral candidate from the Faculty of Education and Social Work. I previously served as the offshore representative at PGSA and am now a part of the EDSW subcommittee. I co-lead an interdisciplinary writing group. I was a finalist of 3MT and a runner-up of SGS showcase and finished three different co-curricular paths. I truly engage in academic and social life at the UoA. I appreciate these opportunities and expect to facilitate you to find these events more accessible and tailored to your needs. I will help you speed up funding applications and logistical procedures. That’s why I am here to run for the positions of Education Vice-President and Welfare Vice President.

Mahek Nagar (1)
Nominator: Danico Rico
Seconder: Arshdeep Kaur Hayer

Kia Ora!

My name is Mahek Nagar; I’m a second-year psychology major. Other than spending too many hours than I’d thought I would focus on the statistics part of the subject, I spent some time as a class representative, which motivated me to put myself up for the roles of Education Vice President and International student officer.

All this time at university, I understood that academics could be a significant stressor for students. This makes it all the more important for there to be someone who can advocate and effectively communicate any concerns from the student body vis-a-vis the teaching faculty. And because I’m an international student myself, I understand how this process becomes ten times more difficult for us, given the times that we’re living in. If I were elected, being open to all sorts of feedback and initiating dialogue would be on the top of my list.

If you do find me to be suitable for this role, please do vote for me.

Varsha Ravi
Nominator: Alan Shaker
Seconder: Bonnie White

Kia ora, Vannakkam and Dumelang!

My name is Varsha Ravi and I am here asking you to give me your vote to be elected as AUSA’s next Education VP! I’m an international student from Botswana, and I’m a 5th year conjoint student in Law and Global Studies, majoring in Global Politics and Human Rights. Currently, I’m the International student Officer for AUSA, and being in this role has made me realise how much I enjoy advocacy. Through my year at AUSA, I’ve had the opportunity to better my understanding of what true representation with equal partnership could look like and part of my vision if elected this coming year, is to do my best to ensure exactly that. If elected, along with true representation, I wish to spend my energy also advocating to re-structure our Academic Integrity Module and find avenues to better the experience of online education.

Click on this link https://tinyurl.com/mr3ay2e2 to follow my campaign! Vote Varsha for EVP! <3

Engagement Vice-President

Danico Vanwyck Castro Rico (3)
Nominator: Tandhi-Sue Auger
Seconder: Mahek Nagar

Folau Tu’inukuafe
Nominator: Alofa So’olefai
Seconder: Steven Wijaya

Kia Ora and Malo e lelei!

My name is Folau Tu’inukuafe and I am currently AUSA’s Women’s Rights Officer but I am hoping to be AUSA’S engagement VP. I am currently studying a BCom/Bsci conjoint, majoring in Accounting/Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Chemistry.

So far, in this role I have achieved the majority of my campaign policies i.e. creating safe spaces for Women, empowering women of UOA and sparking conversations about consent.

The reason I am running for Engagement VP is because I believe engaging students is one of our most important jobs as AUSA. Creating a culture at UoA that is safe, open and most importantly fun, is one of the the key goals I will focus on in 2023 to ensure students are comfortable with attending UoA.

Follow my campaign page for more updates and information @fb.me/votefolauforengagementvp2023

VOTE FOR MEEEE!

Welfare Vice-President

Qun Ma (2)
Nominator: Chen Jia
Seconder: Chenyu Ni

Danico Vanwyck Castro Rico (2)
Nominator: Tandhi-Sue Auger
Seconder: Mahek Nagar

Treasurer-Secretary

Amol Kumar
Nominator: Salvy Fung
Seconder: Jac-Wye Chan

Bula Vinaka, Namaste and Kia Ora,

My Name is Amol Kumar, and I am absolutely stoked to be running for your AUSA Treasurer/Secretary for the year 2023! I am a fifth-year Mechatronics Engineering, Finance and Economics student from the mighty south of Auckland.

I’ve been at university for a long time, and In my five years, I’ve done everything from going on four-day benders and living in a mouldy student flat that I couldn’t afford, to running the Uniguides programme, one of the university’s largest initiatives, while also working for some of New Zealand’s largest companies.

If I have learnt anything in my last five years, it is what it means to be a student in Auckland.

From my experiences, I understand your wants, needs, and struggles which is exactly why I’ve dedicated my final year at university to help you, my fellow students, get the best support, education and experience possible.

I cannot wait to use my experience and knowledge to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other AUSA execs to ensure you, the students come first.

Visit my campaign page on FB to get to know me more!

Peace,
Amol Kumar.

Women’s Rights Officer

Layba Zubair
Nominator: Sanskruti Banerjee
Seconder: Huthaifa Ibrahim

Qun Ma (3)
Nominator: Chen Jia
Seconder: Chenyu Ni

Mahek Nagar (2)
Nominator: Danico Rico
Seconder: Arshdeep Kaur Hayer

Kia Ora!

If you do find me to be suitable for this role, please do vote for me.

Queer Rights Officer

Theo van de Klundert
Nominator: Xavier Walsh
Seconder: Victoria Hawthorne

Hello, hello!

My name is Theo van de Klundert (they/them). I am the current Queer Rights Officer standing for election in 2023. I am a third year LLB/BA student majoring in International Relations and Religious Studies.

Much of the work I have led this year has been focused on rejuvenating LGBTQI visibility on campus both internationally and externally. I have partnered with clubs such as Rainbow Business and the Science Students Association to hosting a range of events for the Queer Networking Mixers to Pride Quiz Nights.

Under my leadership, we changed the complexion of queer equity on campus, to be more vibrant and responsive to student needs. Voting for me, is a vote for passion, drive and bit, a vote knowing that your voice will be heard by the university leadership and on the AUSA executive. I passionately believe that equity in students’ politics is about empowering students to make positive change for themselves. What I wish to achieve next year is expand upon the work I have led this year by expanding the membership of the Queer Student Council and guide students to make decisions in terms of how they wish to Queer equity to run.

So Vote Theo for QRO 2023, and come a join the ride.

International Students’ Officer

Mahek Nagar (3)
Nominator: Danico Rico
Seconder: Arshdeep Kaur Hayer

Kia Ora!

If you do find me to be suitable for this role, please do vote for me.

Postgraduate Students’ Officer

Kelly Misiti
Nominator: Sahan Jayatissa
Seconder: Louis Sartain

My name is Kelly Misiti and I will be re-running for the AUSA Postgraduate Officer for the 2023 year! I am a third year doctoral candidate researching the teaching practices and policies for refugee background English language learners. As an incumbent officer, I have the confidence and understanding of what it takes to be a successful leader and truly give the University of Auckland Postgraduate students the voice they deserve.

This year I have worked hard to:

-advocate for the fees free master’s extension

-collaboratively design a memorandum of understanding between AUSA and Central PGSA

-chaired a monthly subcommittee with multiple PG members from cross faculty student associations

-spoke at many Senate and Student Consultative Group on behalf of PG rights at the University

-worked with various PG Student Support Advisors across different faculties

Going forward I hope to continue being a strong voice for PG students at the University level! I hope that you will vote for me for the AUSA PGO 2023!