Meet your Student Representatives

Te Tira Ahu Pae have a Tripartite structure, with three Presidents (General/Distance, Manawhakahaere - Māori, and Pasifika), with equal authority who are self-determined to represent and lead student representatives from their cohort.

Each campus (Ōtehā – Auckland, Manawatū, Pukeahu – Wellington and Pāmamao – Distance) has a Vice-President who leads, coordinates and supports the student representatives at each location and represents the needs of the students studying there.

Each campus has a General, Kaiwhakahaere - Māori, and Pasifika Student Rep, and Distance has three General Reps and one Kaiwhakahaere - Māori and Pasifika Rep, in recognition that over 50% of students studying at Massey do so by distance. There is also an International Student Rep and Post-Grad Student Rep.

The 3 Presidents and Distance VP work 52-weeks per year, while other student reps work 44-weeks per year. This means students can be supported all year round without the need to provide additional resource when students are not on campus or when the student reps themselves have study requirements.

Below are the current student representatives for 2024.

Tripartite Presidents

General/Distance President

  • president@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia Ora,

    My name’s Hennessey, I am honored to be the General President in Te Tira Ahu Pae for 2024. As a 5th year student completing an MA in International Relations, I spent the first two years in Albany followed by two years in Manawatū, I am now based in Wellington. With years of leadership and teamwork experience from various roles including working for NGOs Greenpeace and UNICEF, I am looking to help students navigate their way through a difficult post-covid studying environment. I began my journey with Te Tira Ahu Pae early last year as the representative for postgraduate students, before becoming the campus president and finally the General President. The primary goals for this year are reintegrating students into the university community and providing strong representation on behalf of all students.

Manawhakahaere

  • manawhakahaere@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Ko Putauaki tōku maunga.
    Ko Whakatāne tōku awa.
    Ko Mātaatua tōku waka.
    Ko Motiti tōku moutere.
    Ko Pupuaruhe tōku marae.
    Ko Te Patuwai tōku hapū.
    Ko Ngāti Awa ratau ko Ngāpuhi, ko Te Arawa, ko Waitaha ōku iwi.
    Ko Cameron tōku ingoa.

    I am based on our Pukeahu campus, completing my last year of a Bachelor of Arts majoring in creative writing via distance. Prior to this role, I was the Kaiwhakahaere ō Pāmamao within Te Tira Ahu Pae for 2023. I was also part of the Massive Magazine team for 2023 as their Te Ao Māori editor. As Manawhakahaere, I am passionate and dedicated to providing the best experience possible for our Māori tauira, allowing opportunities to explore te ao Māori and our culture within a welcoming, safe and fun environment.

Pasifika Co-President

  • sosefina@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Talofa lava,

    I am Sosefina Filo Masoe (Fina), a proud tamaitai Samoa from the villages of Asau, Safune, Sa’anapu, Salelologa and Alafua. I am based at the Wellington campus.

    My role in Te Tira Ahu Pae is Pasifika Co-President and Pasifika services as the Pasifika Events Co-ordinator; therefore, I organise and facilitate events and workshops that cater to our Pasifika students. I would like to ensure that our Pasifika events are relevant and useful to you, so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know. I am very friendly and approachable, so if you see me around campus, please say hi or let me know if you would like to meet to discuss any potential ideas you may have.

    Please contact me on my email above, or send me a DM on our Instagram page @maps.wlg

    Fa’afetai tele lava and please look after yourselves.

Pasifika Co-President

  • wesley@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Bula Vinaka, Talofa Lava. My name is Wesley Peters, I am of Samoan descent with maternal links to Fiji. Currently studying towards a degree in Agribusiness. I have always been passionate about advocating and providing services to the Pasifika cohort and grateful to be able execute these tasks on a national level across Massey University campuses, with the honour of being appointed as the Pasifika Co-President 2024

Campus Vice-Presidents

Pāmamao – Distance Vice President

  • vpdistance@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Working as a Distance Rep last year and studying a Bachelor of Communication via distance means I’m well versed in the issues unique to our way of study. I’m always available for any questions and to meet with students, you can get in contact with me through the email above.

Ōtehā – Auckland Vice President

  • vpauckland@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia ora, I'm Lizzo Yu. I'm the Auckland Campus Vice President of the Students’ Association at Massey University. I am currently pursuing my Master of Business Studies Marketing. I worked as a Video Director and social media content producer at ByteDance in China. My decision to join the Student Association is driven by a simple purpose - the Auckland Campus has a vibrant community of international students, and their voices need to be heard and supported. I hope to engage with as many students as possible. I aspire to be a source of inspiration and strength for students. I hope my enthusiasm and vitality resonate with you all, and I am committed to being here for you always.

Manawatū – Palmerston North Vice President

  • vppalmerstonnorth@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia ora everyone!! I’m Izza and I’m your Campus Vice President for the Manawatū campus for Te Tira Ahu Pae (Massey Uni Students Association). I’m so excited to serve you all for another year (my 3rd year in the student representation space). I can’t wait to meet you all in person and work together to make your university experience exactly how you imagined it <3 slayyyy

Pukeahu – Wellington Vice President

  • vpwellington@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    As the Pukeahu Campus Vice President for Te Tira Ahu Pae – Massey Students’ Association, I am dedicated to cultivating an environment where individuals feel empowered to express their ideas, values, and opinions with confidence. I believe that the University experience is a unique intersection of time and space, offering a platform for creative and philosophical exploration across life's critical arenas. Together, our goal is to create an inclusive space that fosters growth and collaboration, aimed at cultivating a campus culture, where everyone can thrive and evolve collectively.

Māori Student Reps

Kaiwhakahaere ō Pāmamao (Distance)

  • pamamao@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Ko Tongariro te maunga,
    Ko Taupō Nui A Tia te moana,
    Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa te iwi,
    Ko Te Heuheu te tangata.
    Ko Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara tōku ingoa.

    Tēnā tātou e ngāi tauira mā, my name is Te Kakenga but most know me as Kakes, or TK.

    I’m the 2024 Kaiwhakahaere O Pāmamao and am happy to represent all tauira Māori in the Massey Distance space.

    I’m a second-year Bachelor of Communications student majoring in Journalism.

    I am an ex-journalist myself, having worked at Whakaata Māori, Newshub and NZ Herald, looking at studying the industry further with hopes to make it in international broadcasting as either a War or indigenous Political Correspondent in the Middle East.

    I’m an active member of the Te Tira Ahu Pae network and will regularly be seen with a guitar in hand on my colleagues’ campuses. I work well with the other Te Tira Ahu Pae representatives with a goal in mind to unite ALL students across Massey.

Kaiwhakahaere ō Te Waka o Ngā Ākonga Māori  (Auckland)

  • tewakaongaakongamaori@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Tēnā tātou katoa

    Ko Ngātokimatawhāorua te waka
    Ko Nukutawhiti te kāpene
    Ko Kirioke, ko Pukewharengarohau ngā maunga
    Ko Punakitere, ko Taumārere ngā awa
    Ko Te Iringa o Te Kākahu o Rāhiri, ko Te Karetū ngā marae
    Ko Tautahi, ko Pomare ngā rangatira
    Ko Ngāti Tautahi, ko Ngāti Manu ngā hapū
    Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
    Ko Shayne Sullivan ahau

    I am a second year BA student majoring in Psychology and Te Reo Māori.

    In the past year I worked as the Kaihāpai and have now taken on the role of Kaiwhakahaere. This experience has shown me that tauira are at different points of their journey exploring their Māoritanga and I will do my best to support any tauira on that journey.

    I believe it is important as Māori to stand strong in our indigeneity, although I understand this may not be for everyone. As Kaiwhakahaere I will always work towards creating safe spaces for all tauira where we can all feel free to express ourselves without judgment.

    Mauri ora!

Kaiwhakahaere ō Manawatahi (Manawatū)

  • manawatahi@tetirahupae.ac.nz

    Ko Moumoukai te maunga

    Ko Takitimu te waka

    Ko Nuhaka te awa

    Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa te iwi

    Ko Ngāti Rakaipaaka te hapu

    Ko Whakiraangi te marae

    Nō Te Whanganui-a-Tara au

    Ko Micah tōku ingoa

    Kia ora! My name is Micah, I am a pre-vet student from Wellington.

    My kaupapa focuses on strengthening community between our Māori ākonga, tino rangatiratanga and creating and maintaining Māori spaces on campus.

    Like every Māori student who has set foot on a university, I understand these institutes were not created with indigenous students in mind, and we still see the remnants of this today. We have come a long way, but there is still work to be done.

    I have worn many hats in the community services spaces and am excited to continue my mahi guided by the kaupapa of Manawatahi and Te Tira Ahu Pae.

    Feel free to strike up a kōrero if you see me on campus or flick me an email, my job is to represent students and that cannot be done without your input.

Kaiwhakahaere ō Kōkiri Ngātahi (Wellington)

  • kokiringatahi@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia ora, I’m Ruby your kaiwhakahaere for Pukeahu, Wellington campus. My aim this year is to create opportunities for tauira Māori to connect with one another and their māoritanga through our Māori students association Kōkiri Ngātahi. It’s my job to convey student voice, so please don’t hesitate to contact me or say Kia ora if you see me on campus. I look forward to meeting you.

Pasifika Student Reps

Distance Pasifika Student Rep

  • pasifikarep.distance@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia ora and Talofa lava - my name is Caroline. I am a NZ-born, Australia-raised, Samoa-based distance student.

    In 2024 I will commence my second year at Massey, studying toward a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology with minors in Educational Psychology and Indigenous Psychologies. I am fluent in Samoan and toddler gibberish. My areas of interest are in child rights advocacy, neurodiversity, mental health and wellbeing, child protection and abuse prevention.

    I look forward to serving Pasifika Pāmamao students in whatever capacity is required of me as your student representative.

    "O le ala i le pule, o le tautua." The pathway to leadership is through service.

Auckland Pasifika Student Rep

  • pasifikarep.akl@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Malo e leleli. My name is Keino and I am the Pasifika student rep for the year. I am a second-year business student with a major in marketing. For me, studying business here at Massey has been an eye-opening experience. Learning how to reach different demographics has been a key point in my major. My parents both grew up in Tonga but came to New Zealand when I was a baby, so I have spent all my life on Kiwi soil. Those of us who come from the islands although, distinct in our ways, all share a similarity. That is, growing up with our foot in two worlds. I am a Tongan person with my family customs but I have also become accustomed to New Zealand beliefs. As the Pasifika student rep, I know how difficult balancing student life with home life as well as work life can be. And so my goal is to become someone that you can reach out to easily. I hope to be of support to the Pasifika students…I am excited to learn about your stories.

  • pasifikarep.pn@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Bula, I am Anushika Prasad, and I am currently studying Bachelor of Business majoring in international business and minoring in Law. I am originally from Fiji and have completed my high school education from South Auckland. I am fortunate enough to be the new Pasifika Student Representative for the Manawatu campus for 2024 and am looking forward to working alongside the Pasifika community at Massey University and starting my journey with Te Tira Ahu Pae.

Manawatū Pasifika Student Rep

Wellington Pasifika Student Rep

  • pasifikarep.wlg@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Malo Soifua, Sanibonani, Hi! It is with great excitement that I step into the role of Pasi student rep Pukeahu for 2024. Through the various facets of life I am intrigued and passionate about, I believe understanding our cultural identity and context determines the effectiveness of our mahi, and forms a strong foundation for us to work upwards from. I am ready to further enforce this with our team for our tauira. My ancestral homes are a combination of Sapapli'i, Lalomanu Aleipata, Matautu Falealili, Pietermaritzburg. Aotearoa wise- I'll rep Hamilton always, no matter what critics say :) Soifua!

General Student Reps

  • studentrep.akl@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    I'm currently immersing myself in the dynamic journey of being a first-year Ph.D. student at Massey University. With a diverse professional background and a tapestry of cultural experiences, I'm committed to continually strengthening and embodying my Mana. What truly motivates me is the prospect of contributing to a multicultural community where support isn't just a concept but a lived experience. I am enthusiastic about representing you and fostering a supportive environment where we can collectively excel.

General Student Rep (Auckland)

General Student Rep (Manawatū)

  • studentrep.pn@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    I am Fadiyha, based in the Manawatū campus and am currently studying in Bachelor of Health science and majoring in Psychology. I have been elected as the general student representative of Manawatū for Te Tira Ahu Pae and am proud to represent the student body and serve as a voice for their collective needs and interests. I have collaborated well with the other representatives and the student association so far and am excited to continue this journey with Te Tira Ahu Pae.

General Student Rep (Wellington)

  • studentrep.wlg@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    My name is Romany and I am the general student representative for Wellington campus. I'm currently studying art and design. Previously I have also studied English literature and theatre, and I have worked as a high school English and drama teacher. I'm into books, art and politics and I have been proud to be part of the campaign against university cuts for the past couple of years. If you need any support or want to raise issues that are important to you, please reach out!

Distance Student Reps

Distance Student Rep

  • distancerep.1@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Hi! I am a proud Pasifika woman, born and raised in my maternal home, the Cook Islands. Throughout my life, I have been blessed to live in South Auckland - New Zealand and now, Australia. It is an honor to be part of Te Tira Ahu Pae again, serving our Massey University students and community in the distance space.

    I am in my final year and have been studying both part-time and full-time, pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree, majoring in Social Policy. As a Social Policy major, it wouldn’t come as a surprise that my interest lay primarily in wanting to understand and know the ways in which societies and states across the world meet human needs. I take my role seriously, and I am not here to just fill space but I aspire to make a difference, however positive and possible way that may be, ensuring to meet the needs of all distance students in the Massey University distance community. One of my main goals as a general student representative this year is to work closely with the distance team to make the distance space a more inclusive, engaging, unified, joyful and positive experience for all distance students. I also aim to work very hard for distance students and to be a strong and powerful voice for all students across the distance space.

    “When you live for a strong purpose, then hard work isn’t an option. It’s a necessity.” - Steve Pavlina

  • distancerep.2@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia Ora, I am Brooke Mehlhopt, a 22-year-old woman currently undertaking a Bachelor of Social Work program through distance learning. My residence is situated in the Wairarapa region. My fervent aspiration is to contribute to youth protection and development, fuelled by my unwavering dedication to bringing about positive transformations in the lives of young individuals. Beyond academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in bridging the gap between distance and on-campus students at Massey University. As a representative of the distance learning cohort, I am enthusiastic about the prospects of effecting meaningful changes for the betterment of the future.

Distance Student Rep

Distance Student Rep

  • distancerep.3@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    My name is Rene Puiri-Tuia and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Business in Marketing, through distance learning.

    With journey in extramural studies it allows me to bring a unique perspective to the role and form an understanding with students alike. As a distant student representative for Te Tira Ahu Pae, I am committed to ensuring that the collective needs of my fellow students are not only heard but also addressed effectively. Despite the physical distance and time, I eagerly anticipate collaborating with fellow representatives and the student association in 2024 to enhance the student experience.

Postgrad Student Rep

  • postgradrep@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    I am Quynh. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. program in Finance at the School of Economics and Finance. The role of a postgraduate student representative would provide an invaluable opportunity to refine and develop my leadership capabilities, significantly contributing to the enrichment of my employability skills. Additionally, I can acquire a comprehensive understanding of the processes and systems at Massey University, enabling me to collaborate with fellow students to enhance the overall student campus experience. Furthermore, my goal is to be part of a group of active students networking with staff officers at the school to ensure that every student's voice is heard. Importantly, this role offers me the chance to introduce innovative ideas and positive changes with the aim of enhancing the overall campus experience for all students, including myself.

Postgrad Student Rep

International Student Rep

  • internationalrep@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    My name is Blair. I am from China. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student in linguistics and am based on the Palmerston North campus. As an international student representative, I look forward to helping out students from any other demographic in need. As a mature postgraduate, I advocate work-life balance. I reckon myself as a social butterfly who is always ready to help, but meanwhile, knows how to prioritize Ph.D. Given my upbringing as an ethnic minority in China and my academic background, I believe in multilingualism and multiculturalism, thus I have a strong belief in cultural and linguistic inclusion on campus and beyond. Besides being available to Massey students for help, I also aim to contribute to the inclusivity on campus during this era when New Zealand is getting more linguistically and demographically diverse.

International Student Rep

Rainbow Student Reps

Distance Rainbow Student Rep

  • rainbowrep.distance@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    (she/her)
    Age: 42

    2024 Focus: LGBTQIA+ Distance community growth and consultation.

    European-Māori lineage - Ngāpuhi (Te Kapotai). BA (Classics). 3rd year.

    Proud Westie. Part of the disabled community; bipolar, neurodiverse. Obsessions: true crime, Ghostemane, TOOL, mythology, magic

Auckland Rainbow Student Rep

  • rainbowrep.akl@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    I'm currently a second-year Doctor of Clinical Psychology student based at the Ōtehā campus. This is my 8th year as a Massey student and during that time I've been an overseas, distance and internal student at different stages of my journey. Recently I've worked within the trauma space in Counties Manukau and will be starting my clinical placements in March. My doctoral research is centred around affirming difference within neurodivergent and rainbow spaces through creative practices. I'm looking forward to connecting with our beautiful rainbow community at Massey. Alongside my work as a rainbow rep, I'm also on the Peer Scholars team if you need scholarship support.

Manawatū Rainbow Student Rep

Wellington Rainbow Student Rep

  • rainbowrep.wlg@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

    Kia Ora! Konnichiwa!

    I'm Ryan, your 2024 Pukeahu Rainbow Student Rep.

    With experience from 2023, I'm dedicated to fostering inclusivity and community for all expressions of cultures and identities at Massey.

    I particularly look forward to supporting more Rainbow and Takatāpui-led initiatives for the year to come.