What is happening?
As part of our commitment to student voice and support services, Te Tira Ahu Pae and Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University are working together to review how student representation is structured and delivered. A working group of student and University representatives have developed two potential new models for our representation structure.
As the next step in this process, we’ve called a Special General Meeting on Wednesday 15th of October, so that we can present the potential models for the new Representation structure and hold a vote for students.
It’s important to vote, as the new structure will inform how your voice is heard, how you are represented, how decisions are made, and how Te Tira Ahu Pae is structured to support you.
When can you vote?
Please come along to our Special General Meeting to cast your vote for your preferred model of representation. All students are encouraged to attend, and we’ll have free food at every on-campus meeting!
When: Wednesday 15th of October, 1pm to 2pm
Where: In the Student Lounge of every campus, or online via Microsoft Teams
Link to SGM Agenda & other relevant documents
Can’t make it to the SGM but still want to vote?
We have set up an Advanced and Proxy Voting system for any student who is unable to attend the meeting on Wednesday. Please complete the form linked below.
What are the two proposed models for representation?
The Representation Restructure Working Group have recommended two potential models for Te Tira Ahu Pae’s representation structure. You can read through the full report, or read through simplified versions of each model below. These two recommendations follow our student consultations and survey undertaken in August 2025.
Model One: Student Representative Council
This model places the Māori Students’ Association as an independent autonomous body, and restructures remaining representation by refining responsibilities, clarifying hours and reducing direct representatives. Funding covers two Presidents, eight General Representatives, twelve Community Reps.
Presidents:
1x General/Distance President
1x Pasifika President
General Reps:
3x General Campus Reps
2x General Distance Reps
1x Postgrad Rep
1x International Rep
Community Reps:
4x Pasifika Reps
4x Disability Reps
4x Rainbow Reps
Presidents will work 48 weeks while non-President reps work 44 weeks per year.
This model also allows for 76 students to participate in additional paid opportunities for student voice across the University, by sitting on Massey Boards & Committees.
Presidents will undergo a pre-screening process and interview before all suitable candidates are presented for wider student elections. The eight General Representative roles will be elected.
12x Community Reps + Māori Students’ Association will remain autonomous to decide what the appointment or election structure for their cohorts will be.
The Te Tira Ahu Pae Board will consist of seven people:
3x Presidents (General, Pasifika & one Māori from the Māori Students’ Association)
2x Student Reps (voted in by all other Reps)
2x Independant External Advisors (non-students)
Model Two: Student Executive & Advisory Subcommittee
This model has some similarities from Model One in that it places the Māori Students’ Association as an independent and autonomous body, and it offers the same room for representation at boards, committees, and working groups. Compared to Model One, however, it has 23 non-President Student Representatives, and allows for either two Presidents or up to four Co-Presidents, and follows a different structure.
As well as having student reps split by campus and cohort, this model also splits general student reps into two groups - Academic Student Reps, and Engagement Student Reps.
Presidents:
1x General/Distance President OR 2x Co-Presidents
1x Pasifika President OR 2x Co-Presidents
Engagement Reps:
3x General Campus Reps
2x General Distance Reps
1x Postgrad Rep
1x International Rep
Academic Reps:
1x Postgrad Rep
1x International Rep
1x General Distance Rep
1x General Campus Rep
Community Reps:
4x Pasifika Reps
4x Disability Reps
4x Rainbow Reps
Presidents will work 48–52 weeks a year, while all other Representatives work 35–36 weeks a year. This is a shorter term than model one, due to the higher number of Reps in total.
Model Two also has an Advisory Subcommittee to guide the Board, and hold them to account in decision-making. This Subcommittee is made of Student Representatives and three Independent Experts, placing independent advice on a Subcommittee rather than included in the Board structure.
Like model one, this model may allow for the similar development of a wider network of both Reps and students to hold positions on Massey Boards & Committees.
This model may also follow that of Model One, with a pre-screening process for presidential nominees followed by elections, or it can follow the same appointment model already adopted by Te Tira Ahu Pae with more robust procedures and transparency.
The Te Tira Ahu Pae Board will consist of seven people:
3x Presidents (General, Pasifika & one Māori from the Māori Students’ Association)
1x Academic Distance Rep
1x Student Rep (chosen by all other Reps)
1x Disability Rep (chosen by all other Disability Reps)
1x Te Tira Ahu Pae staff member
Why make any changes?
One of the main reasons is to find ways to improve the current model. The current constitution is complex and could be simplified. There is a lot expected of representatives, with roles not clearly defined, and too much responsibility in an administrative sense. Not all channels for student voice are being utilised effectively (for example, Massey University boards and committees).
The way that students study at Massey University is also evolving. Distance students make up a much higher proportion than before, and also much higher than any other university in Aotearoa. International students are also making up an increasing proportion of the student body. Other key cohorts also feel that their independence and agency has been diminished and needs to be strengthened.
A model that is supported to think across the medium-term would also help increase the sustainability and impact of services delivered by Te Tira Ahu Pae. The current model’s emphasis on 1-year terms and a lack of strategic plans make this difficult.
What will not be changing?
There are three anchors that we will keeping in whichever model is proposed:
For students, by students — Any preferred model must continue to be governed and led by students, while also allowing for external advice and skills to be introduced where needed.
Honouring Te Tiriti — This is hard-coded into the current constitution and will remain.
The tripartite structure — general, Pasifika and Māori stand with equal importance, and any change in model will maintain this spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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This review is about how student representation works at Massey – how your voice is heard, how you are represented, how decisions are made, and how Te Tira Ahu Pae is structured to support you.
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Nope! The focus is on the representation model – not the current team or people. It’s about reviewing the systems and structures that support student voice and leadership.
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Te Tira Ahu Pae has faced a lot of change recently – high staff turnover, pressure on representatives, and unclear processes. This review is a chance to step back, listen, and build a system that’s more stable, sustainable, and inclusive.
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It’s the system for how student representatives are selected, how student voice is collected and communicated, and how decisions are made on your behalf.
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We’ve called a Special General Meeting on Wednesday 15th of October, so that we can present the potential models for the new Representation structure and hold a vote for students.
When: Wednesday 15th of October, 1pm to 2pm
Where: In the Student Lounge of every campus, or online via Microsoft Teams -
The Constitution has two connected tiers: a Student Executive and a governing Board. The Executive has 31 representatives from across Massey University’s student communities – general, distance, Māori, Pasifika, campus-based, international, and postgraduate.
Rainbow and Disability have 8 representatives and participate actively in the Executive but are not recognised under the Constitution and work under a temporary Terms of Reference with Te Tira Ahu Pae. The Executive have mixed representation requirements but primarily should act as connectors between students and the university.
Eight members are appointed to the Board. This includes the General/Distance President, Manawhakahaere (Māori President), one Vice-President (from a different enrolment type than the General President), two Pasifika reps (currently co-Presidents), and three Kaiwhakahaere from the campuses not held by the Manawhakahaere. The Board members hold governance responsibility, including strategic direction, oversight and compliance; while the Presidents are also required to lead and represent their cohorts.
The Constitution requires The Board must maintain a 50/50 balance of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti members.
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If you’re interested in doing more reading about the current structure and representation model of Te Tira Ahu Pae, the following documents provide helpful background.
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Here’s who’s involved in guiding this review:
Lead Facilitator: Craig Black
Representing Te Tira Ahu Pae: Chiavanni Le'Mon (General President); Caroline Ryan (Pasifika Co-President), Alhanis Jacobsen, Alex Macias, Ana Tupangaia, Atif Baig, Eloise Fleming, Jamey Hodder
Representing Massey University: Janine Dean, Christabelle Marshall
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Relevant Documents:
Summarised Slideshow of the New Models (please note, this is a working document which aims to summarise the Review Report linked above, for the purpose of presenting at the SGM)
Third Bearing Limited’s Report (presented to the Working Group to inform restructure review)
Restructure Timeline
July 2025
Project initiation.
1
July to August
Consultation began with all stakeholders (students, staff).
2
Early September
Consultation closed.
3
September
Review feedback. Develop recommendations of governance and representation models for the Board of Te Tira Ahu Pae to consider.
4
End September
Recommendations available for Special General Meeting for students consideration.
5
15 October
Special General Meeting. Students vote on proposed structures.
6
November and December
Constitution updates and Te Tira Ahu Pae policies, procedures and structural updates.