Make Do, or Make New logo lockup with te reo Māori translation, Mauri Noho, Mauri Tū

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. In 2025, a working group of student and University representatives developed two potential new models for our representation structure.

These models were voted on at our Special General Meeting on Wednesday 15th of October 2025. Following the discussion and vote, Model One - A.K.A the ‘Student Representative Council’ model - was confirmed as the preferred representation structure for adoption.

As the next step in this process, Te Tira Ahu Pae will be working through a constitutional review to formally adopt the Model One structure. This review will be presented for ratification at either a Special General Meeting (SGM) or the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held in early 2026.  All students will be invited to attend. 

What is the proposed new model?

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 Independent External Advisors (non-students)

This board will be paid an additional Honorarium for the full 52-week responsibility, separate to their representation and presidential remuneration.

PSA: These models do not apply to or limit the autonomy of the Māori students of Massey University to determine their operational involvement within or alongside Te Tira Ahu Pae (some students have misunderstood and felt the models cut out the Māori reps). This process commenced as part of Massey’s agreement to continue funding Te Tira Ahu Pae. We do need to choose a model and that abstaining and voting against doesn't mean we keep our current structure, it means we must try again and will have significant deficits.

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) 

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

    Te Tira Ahu Pae Constitution 

    Te Tira Ahu Pae Representation Policy 

  • 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 

  • Relevant Documents:

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.

7