About AUSA
The Auckland University Students’ Association (Te Rōpū Kahikatea) was formed in 1891, and ever since we’ve been advocating for students at the University of Auckland. We represent the voice of the students at the University, deliver student advice and support services, advise on academic and welfare matters, and create events and activations on campus to bring the University community together.
Our Vision
That every student who attends the University of Auckland can succeed and live their best possible student experience.
Our Mission
AUSA is here to help empower every student’s journey through the University of Auckland. We support, represent, and build the student community and experience. We help overcome barriers and champion success for every student.
Our Values
- Student Centricity: We believe students are at the centre and heart of the University experience.
- Representation: We empower student voices and make sure that the diversity of student opinion is loud, heard and understood by University administrators directly and on the committees where decisions are made.
- Educational Attainment: We challenge the University to provide every student with the right environment in which high-quality teaching and learning are delivered.
- Accountability: We hold the University accountable for its decisions and actions on behalf of its students, especially when changes are being made.
- Belonging and Inclusion: We work to build a safer and more inclusive University campus where every student can thrive.
Guiding Principles
Student Representation
- AUSA is for students, by students. It is run by a democratically elected Executive Committee of Student Representatives who oversee the Association in accordance with the rules of its Constitution. Strong Governance and Accountability
- The Student Executive is the ultimate governing body of AUSA, but they are responsible for representing the interests of (and are accountable to) the entire student body of the University.
- Supporting, advising and helping the Student Executive to make the tough calls are the Student Council and Advisory Board, who need to be part of every major decision.
- Commercial and Financial Responsibility
- AUSA has learnt the lessons of its past and is fiscally prudent, commercially minded and financially resilient.
- AUSA budgets to deliver an EBITDA profit of 3-5% of total income each year, and its goal is to deliver sustainable financial returns across the entire portfolio of its assets - enabling AUSA to invest for future generations of students. Strategic Alignment with the University of Auckland
- The University of Auckland is AUSA’s core strategic stakeholder, and the Association partners with the University to deliver student services and support, whilst holding the University accountable on behalf of the student community.
- Our Service Level Agreement is the foundation of AUSA’s funding and delivery of services back to students.
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- AUSA recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa/New Zealand, and advocates for Māori representation at all levels of the University.
- As part of this commitment, AUSA partners with Ngā Tauira Māori to advance the interests and enhance the experiences of all students at the University of Auckland.