If you put on an event during one of our Weeks, we’ll pay for everything.
We’re in the business of serving students. That means:
- putting on a good time at our events,
- providing a helping hand with our welfare services and advocacy team, and
- representing student views on the University’s decision-making bodies.
But, with over 40,000 students at the University of Auckland, and the most diverse student population in the country, putting on a good time means so many different things to the many people at UoA.
We’ve realised that if we want to actually be serving students in the way that they want, we should be backing and supporting your club or association and putting our resources, connections and money behind you. Our view is that if your club or association runs an event that AUSA has done in the past, or is more capable at running some of the events that AUSA currently does, then we should be supporting your club or association as opposed to competing against you. Why? Because you know your students best.
What you’re reading is our invitation for your club or association to pitch us a proposal to run an event during our different AUSA Weeks (for instance, Politics Week, Women’s Suffrage Week or Pride Week). If we like the proposal and think that it matches the criteria for the kinds of events we want our different AUSA Weeks to feature, then we'll give you everything we can to turn your idea into reality.
If you read through this page, you'll see the kind of events we're looking for, for our weeks, and a set of criteria for the week as a whole. Take a look, ask some questions, and if you're keen to have your club or association run the event, then get in touch with us.
The rules are pretty simple, if you like the sound of a certain AUSA Week, or a particular event, then all you need to do is you come up:
- with the idea for an event (can be virtual or in person);
- the budget;
- the name of the event;
- the people involved;
If we think it suits the theme of our AUSA weeks, then we’ll fully fund it. That’s right, we will pay for the guest speaker, the food or whatever else might need paying for. The only thing we’ll ask for in return is that:
- it’s free for all students to attend;
- that it’s hosted during the dates of our week;
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s "X" Week;
So, what is AUSA going to be doing if clubs/associations are putting on the events for an AUSA Week? Is AUSA just trying to be lazy?
Aside from providing the resources and funding for these events, we take an active role in facilitating the week - we'll be there to help you run your event if you need us to (though you'll be in charge, so we're just there to help out), promote the event (and the week) and help get people along. We will still be running a big scale event during the week ourselves too, depending on the kind of proposals we get from clubs and associations.
The aim for us is that we get to boost the number of students coming along to our events and, as a result, the value that we bring students.
So, you’ve decided you want to host an event after all – what next?
- Complete the AUSA Weeks Event Proposal
- Due date for Semester 1 Event Proposals: March 15th 2024 (Enviro Week Proposals to be sent in by 20th February 2024)
- Due date for Semester 2 Event Proposals: 5th July 2024
- We’ll be in touch by Monday the 20th of Feb (for environmental week) and/or Wednesday the 15th of March at the latest to discuss the proposal and work. We’ll agree to some general responsibilities between us to get this up and running!
Any questions: engagementVP@ausa.org.nz
Look forward to going through your applications,
Jade Butler | Engagement Vice-President 2024
Alan Shaker | President 2024
If you have any questions please contact the Engagement Vice-President at engagementvp@ausa.org.nz
Environmental Week
March 11th - March 15th 2024
Due Date: February 20th
Environmental week is all about celebrating the natural environment and bringing awareness to the importance of protecting the environment, as well as celebrating its beauty.
Just so you have an idea, the kinds of events that AUSA has typically run during this week have been:
- ENVIRONMENTAL QUIZ: Testing UoA students' knowledge on what we as students know about climate change and educating them on how to better take care of the environment.
- POT PAINTING: This fun activity is usually held in the Shadows Student Bar and is a fun way to get creative whilst also creating something that could last a long time and encourage students to be more plant friendly.
- ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP: A workshop held by clubs to help educate and empower students to look after the planet a little bit better.
You don’t have to put on these specific events to get our funding. If you have an idea that’s wacky, but just so incredibly “Environmental Week”, then pitch it to us. If it matches our criteria of:
- Being free for all students to come if they want;
- hosted during the dates of our week (we will handle room booking);
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s Environmental Week;
- targeted at getting a minimum audience of 40-50 students and
in the spirit of promoting positive attitudes about all things Environmentally Friendly.
… then we’ll genuinely consider funding your event.
Self Care Week 2024 is the first time we have introduced this week to the week's tender. We want a variety of clubs to step forward and educate UoA students about basic life skills and enable them to learn different ways of destressing. To encompass the whole package of Self Care, we’re looking to make each day of the week a different sub-theme.
Monday: Mental Health
Tuesday: Sports
Wednesday: Healthy Living
Thursday: Finances
Friday: Sex
The kinds of events we would like to run during Self Care Week is:
- POETRY NIGHT: Perhaps curled up with snacks and pillows while reading poetry you wrote or resonates with you about mental health.
- YOGA IN THE PARK: Under the sun or the shade, take a moment to stretch, strengthen and cleanse your body before Sem 1 Exams start!
- HEALTHY EATING WITH TIGHT BUDGETS: The essential life skill of cooking well rounded healthy meals while adhering to a budget.
- BUDGETING 101: The basics of creating, and sticking to a budget in today’s cost of living crisis.
- DIRTY BINGO AT SHADOWS: Classic bingo with a funky twist.
You don’t have to put on these specific events to get our funding. If you have an idea that’s completely unique, but just so incredibly “Self Care Week”, then pitch it to us. If it matches our criteria of:
- being free for all students to come if they want;
- that it’s hosted during the dates of our week (we will handle room booking);
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s Sports Week;
- targeted at getting a minimum audience of 100 students and in the spirit of engaging students with Self Care Week, while having a laugh
... then we’ll genuinely consider funding your event.
Self Care Week
April 15th - April 19th 2024
Due Date: March 15th
Pride Week
May 13th - May 17th 2024
Due Date: March 15th
Pride Week is all about celebrating and raising awareness of all things pride at the University of Auckland. Pride Week is an opportunity to celebrate our LBGTIQ+ students on campus, to take stock of the past, and to be informed about the future and what it holds. Together with our Queer Rights Officer we decide what events to help fund.
In past, we have hosted:
- MARDI GRAS PARTY: Pretty self-explanatory, but an awesome party full of drag queens, dancing and DJs at Shadows
- PRIDE WEEK STUDENT FORUM: A forum for LGBTTIF+ students and allies to express their thoughts and share their stories in a safe space
- COMING OUT PARTY: An evening of sharing experiences from some of New Zealand’s most famous LGBTTIF advocates
You don’t have to put on these specific events to get our funding. If you have an idea that’s completely unique, but just so incredibly “Pride Week”, then pitch it to us. If it matches our criteria of:
- being free for all students to come if they want;
- that it’s hosted during the dates of our week (we will handle room booking);
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s Pride Week;
- targeted at getting a minimum audience of 50 and
- in the spirit of engaging students with Pride, while having a laugh
... then we’ll genuinely consider funding your event.
International Week is all about celebrating the diversity of our campus. It’s about seeing students proudly displaying their heritage, and the traditions, customs and food that comes along with it. It is also about celebrating our amazing international students that have come from far and wide. Our International Students Officer leads this week, so the decisions of what events to help fund will be made with them.
The kinds of events we’ve run during international week have been cultural showcases and performances. In the past we’ve had are:
- PASIFIKA FEEDS: When PASIFIKA UoA clubs host a feast for students to experience PASIFIKA culture and embrace their food.
- TE REO MAORI BEGINNER CLASSES: If people are willing, we would be happy to look into funding beginner language classes for other languages too
- CULTURAL PERFORMANCES FROM OUR DIFFERENT STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY: We had performances from the Filipino Students’ Association, Han Cultural Club, TAUA, UASSA and NTM.
You don’t have to put on these specific events to get our funding. If you have an idea that’s completely unique, but just so incredibly “International Week”, then pitch it to us. If it matches our criteria of:
- being free for all students to come if they want;
- that it’s hosted during the dates of our week (we will handle room booking);
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s International Week;
- targeted at getting a minimum audience of 50 students and
- in the spirit of engaging students with cultural awareness, while having a laugh
... then we’ll genuinely consider funding your event.
International Week
August 5th - August 9th 2024
Due Date: July 5th
Women's Suffrage Week
September 16th - September 20th 2024
Due Date: July 5th
Women’s Suffrage Week is a strong AUSA tradition of raising awareness on women’s issues and experiences. Suffrage week is about bringing students together to learn, share and develop on the hard mahi done by women in the past, and what work lies ahead. Our Women’s Rights Officer leads this week, so the decisions of what events to help fund will be made with them.
The kinds of events we’ve run during Suffrage week have been:
- “TEA FOR TRANS”: An interactive discussion panel on trans experiences with identity and feminism, with tea provided.
- “REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS PANEL”: A discussion among representatives from Abortion Law Reform NZ and reproductive rights experts on reproductive rights and the case for reform
- TOPICAL DEBATE: A debate on a topic of importance – in 2016, the moot was “This House regrets that female athletes use their sexuality or physical appearance for marketing purposes”.
You don’t have to put on these specific events to get our funding. If you have an idea that’s completely unique, but just so incredibly “Suffrage Week”, then pitch it to us. If it matches our criteria of:
- being free for all students to come if they want;
- that it’s hosted during the dates of our week (we will handle room booking);
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s Suffrage Week;
- targeted at getting a minimum audience of 50 and
- in the spirit of engaging students with Women's rights and all that goes along with it
…. then we’ll genuinely consider funding your event.
Politics Week is, as it suggests, is all about politics. It’s about providing opportunities for our students to engage with MPs and participate in anything and everything about politics. What we’re looking for in events during Politics Week are events with great guest speakers who can educate, challenge and inspire their audiences. Also, because this is election year, our main goal is to increase student votes.
The kinds of events we’ve run during politics week have been:
- PUB DEBATES: Political Debates with some big hitting MPs up at Shads is an absolute favourite. In the past we’ve had Wallace Chapman from Backbenchers to host it as well. This event is a timeless classic, but we’re keen to throw it open to your club or association to put a spin on it - that might mean integrating some embarrassing (for the MPs) games, or some wackier topics.
- SPIN OFF TED TALKS: Politics Week should be an opportunity to learn and challenge yourself. Our spinoff version of the timeless “Ted Talk” is a great opportunity to do that. Last year we had one of these talks on the #MeToo movement, inviting journalist Alison Mau, and legal advocate Zoe Lawton as some of our guest speakers. If your club or association has a bold vision for what kind of talk they’d like to host, then get in touch.
- “SERIOUS DEBATES”: This is pretty much what it sounds like - some heavy hitters having a go at each other in a more serious context. We’re keen to hear your take on this.
You don’t have to put on these specific events to get our funding. If you have an idea that’s completely unique, but just so incredibly “Politics Week”, then pitch it to us. If it matches our criteria of:
- being free for all students to come if they want;
- that it’s hosted during the dates of our week (we will handle room booking);
- that somewhere clear in the branding, it says that the event is part of AUSA’s Politics Week;
- targeted at getting a minimum audience of 100 students and
- in the spirit of engaging students with politics, while having a laugh
…. then we’ll genuinely consider funding your event.
Politics Week
September 30th - October 4th 2024
Due Date: July 5th
Your proposal will need to contain the following information:
- Club/Association name
- Email address to contact you
- AUSA Week you want to participate in
- Your event name (Can be changed later if necessary)
- Day, time and location of choice: Your preferred day of the week, time and location for your event (if not online) . E.g Wednesday at 1pm at Shads.
- Estimated number of attendees
- Description of event: This is for you to wow us with your event! What’s the purpose of it? What will happen at your event? Where are you wanting to hold it? What audience are you targeting?
- Budget Request ($450 Max): How much money will you be requiring for this event and can you break down these costs?
- Covid Contingency Plan if event is in person
- What non-monetary support do you require from AUSA? (e.g do you need to borrow any of AUSA’s equipment?)
Note: You can submit more than one application!
If you have any questions please contact the Engagement Vice-President at engagementvp@ausa.org.nz
Proposals are to be submitted online (login using you Uni email) here