Candidate Statements for the position of President 2025

 

Sarah White

Kia ora! My name is Sarah White, and I’m excited and honoured to run as YOUR AUSA President for 2025. I’m a fourth-year Law & Commerce student with a passion for politics and a desire to spark change. University should be some of the greatest years of our lives, and I’m dedicated to making sure your experience is the best it can be; I’ve got the knowledge, passion and motivation to make it happen! 

As the current AUSA Treasurer-Secretary, my role this year has been to lead AUSA financially and to support the President in their leadership of the Executive, and I’m ready to not only continue AUSA’s legacy - but make it bigger and better. With a new funding and partnership agreement on the horizon with the University, AUSA needs a leader with the experience to carry out this vital transition. I’m ready to hit the ground running - with plans to increase support services for all, amplify our collective student voice, and improve your experience with diverse events that connect ALL students. 

As the former President of the Commerce Students’ Association, I’ve also got the perspective of what makes AUSA so fundamental for us students and what can be improved. I have the ability to successfully lead a team and represent students to the highest decision-making bodies at the university, and it would be my privilege to serve as YOUR President. I look forward to this journey alongside you and kindly ask for your vote to represent YOU in 2025. 

EXPERIENCE. PASSION. ACTION. #VoteSarahWhite

More details: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095668684543

Gabriel Boyd 

Whether you grew up in Auckland or were born and raised overseas, travelling thousands of miles for a chance to study at our prestigious university as I did, we all came here to grow- not only academically but as a community, a whānau, navigating university life together. My name is Gabriel Boyd, and I'm honored to run for AUSA President, aiming to revitalise our campus life to its pre-COVID vibrancy and beyond.

I hope to achieve these goals through four main pillars: expanding mental healthcare access for students, adding dynamism to the clubs’ space, including a ‘club of the week’ initiative, working directly with professors to make in-person classes more accessible and equitable, and running a more recognisable Student’s Association. 

I have experience reinvigorating a community. When I first became the Study Abroad Student Society president, the club was struggling. I revamped the executive, increasing 20 active members to over 200. On the Arts Student Engagement Team and as an Arts+ Leader, I work with fellow students and staff, brainstorming academic and engagement policies.

For a full-time job serving my classmates, dedication is essential. I don’t believe anyone could devote enough time to such an important role with a full courseload. I’ve structured my schedule so I only have three classes over my final two semesters to guarantee commitment to listening to your concerns and doing what’s best for our campus community.

For a comprehensive list of qualifications, endorsements, and detailed policy proposals, visit Vote_Gabriel on Instagram.

Dr. Morteza Sharifi

As an accomplished education professional with extensive experience in programme development, policy implementation, and compliance management, I am excited to bring my diverse skill set to the AUSA Student Executive for 2025. My background includes a robust teaching portfolio across various educational levels, and curriculum design. These experiences have honed my analytical skills and fostered a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within educational institutions.

My engagement in large-scale research projects and proficiency in cross-cultural communication further underscore my ability to navigate complex, diverse environments. I have a proven track record of advocating for students' rights and systemic improvements, demonstrated by my active involvement in policy discussions and efforts to influence positive change at the University of Auckland.

Having faced administrative challenges firsthand, including taking the UoA to the High Court to receive my PhD, I am acutely aware of the persistence required to address pressing issues. I am committed to transforming the student experience by advocating for a supportive and inclusive environment where students are not merely customers but active partners in their educational journey.

Currently, I am pursuing a law degree at the University of Auckland, which further equips me with the knowledge and skills to advocate effectively for students' rights and interests.

My goal is to ensure that every student's voice is heard, acknowledged, and acted upon. By leveraging my expertise and dedication, I aim to contribute meaningfully to AUSA's mission of representing and supporting students across all facets of their university experience. 

Fania Kapao

Kia Orana! My name is Fania Kapao and I'm gonna to Make AUSA Great Again.  A vote for me is a vote for you. Slay.

If elected as President, I will focus on the following initiatives:

Public Transport Fares: Advocate for reduced fares for students.

Anti-Bureaucracy: Streamline processes to ensure efficiency and transparency.

Delivering on AUSA Promises: Ensure that promises made by AUSA are fulfilled.

Support Students for Fair Rent in Halls: Support fair rent practices in student halls.

Allyship and Student Protesting: Protect and expand spaces for student protests, including overnight protests.

Maori and Pasifika Spaces: Protect and expand these spaces on campus.

RAs’ Benefits: Advocate for free rent and living wages for Resident Assistants.

Fair Work Conditions: Ensure living wages for students working part-time or casually for the university.

Group Work Contribution Forms: Implement forms to ensure fair contribution in group work.

Assignment Transparency: Make average, top, and bottom score information available for all uni assignments.

AUSA Club Tender: Ensure equal funding and advertisement for every club that applies.

Who am I? I'm a postgrad pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy. I have a deep passion for advocacy, politics, and public service. My values of kindness, transparency, generosity, patience, and down-to-earth nature guide my actions and interactions with everyone. I believe in equality charity, mentorship and the power of a good laugh to foster a positive and connected student community.

I promise to be approachable, accountable and available for all students. Together, let’s create a campus where happiness is a dream we all share, and where accountability, anti-corruption, and anti-gatekeeping are the norms. Let’s deliver results and ensure the welfare for us all.

Layba Zubair

Kia Ora,

My Name is Layba and I’m a third year law student. I’ve been Womens’ Rights Officer in 2023 and am Education Vice-President currently - and I’m running for prez this year.

There’s a lot of reasons why I’ve chosen to run for President, but my biggest driver is that I truly feel so fulfilled, to be able to represent and serve the student body.

As Womens’ Rights Officer, I pushed for better responses to sexual violence on campus, played a key role in the development of the University’s Harmful Sexual Behaviour Advisory Group, and worked on projects spanning from period poverty to broader sexual violence prevention.

As Education Vice-President, I’ve worked closely with faculty associations across the university. May it be issues with course content, disputes with lecturers, or even lack of access to student facilities - I’ve walked into every meeting with student voice at the forefront, and have repeatedly delivered on what students actually want and need from the university.

What I have is truly a passion for representing the student body, and I have a track record for it. I won’t give you a list of things that I’d promise to do (and never end up doing), but what I can do, is commit to ensuring that as a student association we are better partners under Te Tiriti, continue to push for adequate responses to things like sexual violence, racism, and abelism on campus, and if nothing else convinces you, then also potentially cheaper shads jugs. 

 

Elson Tan (Second Option)

If I am elected in this position, I will work with students who need help in any aspect of uni life. In addition, I will ensure that uni events are held to the best they can be, and I will also increase the frequency of sponsored events so more people can attend. Because if there is one thing event goers have disdain about, it’s missing an event due to an unavoidable circumstance. Lastly, I will offer a space for students to talk with AUSA execs for volunteer opportunities, job advice, or even just enough room to vent. But no matter what, all problems will be dealt with as soon as they come in. It is a hard job, but if one can pull an all-nighter writing an essay, one can pull an all-nighter solving 99 unique student problems.