Candidate Statements for the position of Engagement Vice-President 2025
Lee Li
Take part in and make the most of it” is the message I want to send to all my fellow students and the potential I see in them. I am Lee Li, and I am running for Engagement VP not only as a transgender individual but also as a refugee and asylum seeker from a country where ‘being yourself’ is a punishment.
Today, I am engaging with students to advocate for our communities and address wider issues that matter to us, such as Climate Change, Cease Fire, Trans Rights, and Refugee Issues. I see your potential to make a real impact alongside me. For the past two years, I’ve been working closely with the Student Engagement team to support students. I’ve hosted three Orientations and actively engaged with diverse organisations to support wider communities in Aotearoa, including Arts+, ASA, MSG, AUSA, UoA Rainbow, and Craccum Magazine.
If elected, I will organise forums and workshops on key issues, strengthen partnerships with diverse student organisations, and advocate for the expansion of support services to address the unique needs of marginalised students, such as implementing gender-affirming signs. My goal is to create an inclusive, supportive, and engaged university community.
Aotearoa once trusted me and gave me a second chance to live, so I hope you can trust me and join me. My question is, “How can I help?”
Come talk to me and make your voice heard at the B201 Foyer Space. Endorsed by the Student Support and Engagement Team, Arts Faculty.
Max Guo
Because of my experience as an intern in a bank, I know how to save money and how to spend it. I am able to research and identify trends and create new ones that benefit school values. I will be able to critically look at how the values of the school translate to the numerous social media available and be able to manage the school's reputation, both internally and externally, online and offline.
Jennifer Setefano
Talofa lava, o lou igoa o Fesolai Jennifer Setefano! I am a law and Arts students majoring in pacific studies and Criminology! I am full Samoan and I would love to be your engagement VP for 2025! Connecting with students is one of my favourite things to do! I got the pleasure to do so in my role as Welfare VP this year and the joy of connecting, speaking to students about what they want to see and make changes on is a major factor! I would definitely love to see more engagement on our media platforms! More content on our events and also I would love to host events that’ll make your student experience fun and exciting! And also would love to create a better way of connecting with students ensuring that most students get the best uni experience possible!
Kalana Piramanage
Ayubowan, I’m Kalana - a student, a YouTuber, and a wannabe engineer who has a passion for campaigning, raising awareness, and tackling youth issues. I’ve seen firsthand how AUSA could do more to address the issues that students deeply care about beyond campus, and that is what inspired me to run to be your Engagement Vice-President for 2025.
As the communications executive of Students for Fair Rent and an active member of Young Labour, I’ve heard from so many students, just like me voicing and speaking about the issues that they deeply care about outside of university ranging from climate change, affordable rent, cheaper transport fares to global conflicts and so much more. As the engagement VP, I want to help amplify these voices by hosting workshops on key issues, providing a better platform for campaigns, using social media as a powerful tool to voice these issues, and doing what I can to help develop these campaigns at the University so they get closer and closer to achieving their goals to make a positive difference.
Being in a campaign myself, I can personally see how rewarding it can be to be a part of a positive movement for meaningful change. I am committed to ensuring that all students feel empowered to participate in existing campaigns on issues they care about or to start their own campaigns to champion issues that are important to them because even a small campaign can make a difference to a lot of people.
Oliver Cocker
I am Oliver Cocker, and I have given my university years to amplifying student voices and championing the issues that matter to us. You might have seen me in Craccum in various roles, including News and Features Editor, or been interviewed around Campus. Or maybe you’ve met me delivering submissions for the New Zealand Law Students Association. I am always there for student interests.
Having lived in Student Accommodation for three years, I understand our challenges, from affordable transport to the constant financial burdens that weigh us down. Although it's a lofty goal, I will target them with the renewed vigour you deserve.
Proposed Initiatives:
As your Engagement Vice-President, I will focus on the issues that resonate with you beyond the university environment. My key initiatives include:
Universal Student Allowance Spearhead campaigns that drive home to all the parties, not just the government, that University is a full-time job that deserves to be recognised.
Election Participation: Ensure next year’s local elections are accessible and engaging for all, guaranteeing you are heard.
Affordable Transport: Continue to advocate for Auckland Transport to provide students with more affordable and convenient public transport options.
If more pressing issues arise, I will always give you precedence, and you can always talk to me.
I will be your voice, will, and advocate. With your vote, we can influence change and make our time as students more inclusive, engaging, and impactful. Vote for Oliver Cocker as your Engagement Vice-President, and let’s go onwards and upwards.
Alan Wu
I’m a third-year student studying law and arts, running to build a stronger university community.
In my first year, I really struggled to make new friends and navigate student life. It was only at the end of last year this started changing.
My biggest hurdle has been figuring out how university services and organisations work. When I needed extensions, I struggled to find the right university services to approach, and when I struggled financially, I did not know what help was available.
I want to shape our student culture in a way that incentivises participation so students can grow in their interests, careers, and studies.
If elected, I propose:
--Running ‘student civics’ workshops throughout the year to educate students on the constitution, their membership etc.
Such basic information should not be difficult for students. Learning how to participate and fit into your community should be accessible to everyone.
--Reconfigure ‘Weeks Tender’ by consulting clubs annually to decide on the agenda.
Student events should involve our very own student organisations in which they are participating.
--Create an engagement committee of student members to help facilitate campus events.
--Instate student media that regularly publishes updates regarding university politics, discussions, and other matters.
Relevant information, such as website figures, should be current and freely available. As Craccum’s News Editor, I have attended council meetings and reported them in our publications. However, this information should be easily accessible by any student and not be jargon.
Jade Butler
Kia Ora everyone, my name is Jade Butler, and I'm running for re-election to be your Vice President of Student Engagement for 2025!
As your Engagement VP this year, it's been a busy Semester One! In each Weeks Tender (our themed weeks), I worked to plan and run an AUSA event, which hadn't been done before.
I introduced "Self-Care Week," offering activities like financial literacy workshops, cultural dance fitness classes, men's mental health haircuts, and more. Self-Care Week had up to three events per day and was the most jam-packed Weeks Tender in recent memory, with twelve events over five days.
Looking forward, I still have much more I want to accomplish as your Engagement VP, which is increasing student attendance on campus. My goals are to help grow this by revitalizing Shadows, our student bar, with monthly student talent events; and ensuring AUSA hosts diverse and inclusive events beyond Shadows, and scheduling more daytime activities to accommodate all students. This balance of lively and calm events will ensure all students feel welcome and understood by AUSA.
Visibility of student leadership is essential.
Many are unaware of the Student Council or their faculty representatives. My goal is to improve leadership visibility through social media campaigns on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to ensure students know who their representatives are.
For more information about my campaign and to learn more about me, visit my Instagram, @Jade_deVere.
Thank you for considering me as your candidate—I hope to receive your vote!
Luca Zhao (Second Option)
Hi, I'm Luca, I'm a student at UoA, in the past year, I've learned team management experience in UniGuide, and started to have more opportunities to cooperate with AUSA in the AUSA buddy program. In this semester, I founded the UoA Swimming Club, hoping to bring swimming back to our campus.
I know a lot about student participation activities, so I'm confident that I can assist AUSA to continue activities in the new year and carry out more activities in UoA about potential politics, economy, student volunteering, etc.
Dr. Morteza Sharifi (Second Option)
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.
Jasneel Deo (Second Option)
Hi, I'm Jasneel and I am a third year psychology student. I love psychology and love learning about people and how we can make the most of our lives. In my spare time, I love to watch movies and visit new restaurants. I enjoy eating outdoors and love doing outdoor activities like walking and running. My proposed initiatives would be to engage with my peers and consult with them how their education is going and what can be done better. To provide meaningful mahi and create spaces of inclusivity and engagement so students feel a sense of belonging and connection which can help them do well at their studies. I would make sure that every student as ample opportunity to share their voice and to raise their concern so we can make the University of Auckland a more socially and academically stronger and collective space for people to come and study. This will be done by working with the students and providing survey's and pop-stalls just to get a feel as to how students are doing. If elected, I will ensure that every student is catered for and looked after and ensure accountability and responsibility is taken place at AUSA and at the University of Auckland. Amd also to make sure that the steps we are taking are for a better future for all of us and that we all have a platform to do well.
Hisham Haq (Second Option)
As a 4th-year Global Studies and Arts Conjoint student majoring in Economics, Geography, and International Relations. My unique perspective as an Indian national born in the UAE, combined with exchange experiences at SciencesPo and McGill, has broadened my academic and social horizons. My professional experiences involve working with intergovernmental organisations, MP offices, and political consultancy giving me skills in advocacy, events management, and policy engagement. I am prepared to leverage my diverse skill set to drive meaningful change. My goal is to create a more connected, engaged, and globally-aware campus community that truly represents and serves all students.
Some Key Initiatives
• Promote greater climate change initiatives among students by organising awareness campaigns and collaborating with environmental organisations.
• Resolve micromanagement issues with student groups by implementing streamlined processes and providing better support and resources.
• Focus on promoting inclusive events to ensure that all cultural groups feel represented and included in campus activities.
• Advocate for comprehensive student demographic data collection to better understand and address the needs of the diverse student body.
• Discourage brainrot on campus and build a better university culture.
• Establish more channels with international bodies (embassies, consulates, IGOs, NGOs) to promote greater visibility and representation for UoA abroad. For instance, drawing on my experience from McGill, where an International Diplomats Reception Day was held to connect students with diplomatic representatives.
• Advocate for dedicated research centres for different communities, inspired by Victoria University Wellington's model, to support