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We’ve made some pretty big changes to how representation functions, and how your voice is carried through to both Te Tira Ahu Pae and Massey University. We strongly recommend reading through the Constitution and going over sections that you think will most affect you, however we’ve summarised some of the biggest changes below. 

The Māori Students’ Association 

After consultation with ākonga Māori at Massey University, it was decided that the Māori Students’ Association would be formed — receiving equitable resources and support from Te Tira Ahu Pae, while also making sure tino rangatiratanga is prioritised and that decisions impacting ākonga Māori are made by and for ākonga Māori. This includes how student representation is structured, and kaimahi working with ākonga Māori will also be under the new organisation.  

If you have any questions relating to the new Māori Students’ Association, or if you would like to keep up to date with the new organisation, please contact the General Manager at [email]. 

We’ve sought to make sure ākonga Māori voices are heard at the table for Te Tira Ahu Pae, with the MSA’s Tumuaki on our Te Tira Ahu Pae Board, and MSA Student Representatives sitting on the new Student Representative Council (SRC) structure for Te Tira Ahu Pae. 

Student Representative Structure 

Late 2025, we presented two models with different representation structures, including what our Board should look like, how many Student Representatives we had, and how many hours they should dedicate to their role per week. At the meeting, Massey University students chose model one, which came with the following changes — 

  1. A change to our Board size, and who sits on the Board. 
  2. A change to the number of Student Representatives. 
  3. The introduction of Community Groups, giving our Pasifika, Rainbow, and Disability at Massey Student Representatives a voice and autonomy over decisions affecting their cohorts. 
  4. Movement from the General President role being appointed to a hybrid election structure, ensuring the General President has the skills needed while also providing student voice on who represents them. 

Below is an image which shows visually the makeup of the Board and the Student Representative Council. 

 

Our Student Representative Council is now made up of — 

  1. The General President 
  2. The Pasifika President 
  3. Seven (7) General Representatives
    1. International Representative 
    2. Postgraduate Representative 
    3. Pāmamao | Distance Representative 
    4. Pāmamao | Distance Representative 
    5. Ōtehā | Albany Representative 
    6. Manawatū Representative 
    7.  Pukeahu | Wellington Representative 
  4. Twelve (12) Community Representatives 
    1. Four (4) Pasifika Community Representatives 
    2. Four (4) Disability at Massey (DaM) Community Representatives 
    3. Four (4) RĀTĀ Community Representatives 
  5. Up to four (4) representative kaimahi of the Māori Students’ Association 

Our Board will be made up of — 

  1. The General President 
  2. The Pasifika President 
  3. One Co-Tumuaki of the Māori Students’ Association 
  4. Two Student Representatives elected in by the Student Representative Council 
  5. Two Independent Experts appointed by the Board 

Community Groups 

Our Pasifika, Disability at Massey, and Rainbow and Takatāpui Advisory Group (RĀTĀ/Rainbow) Student Representatives have shifted to Community Groups. Our Community Groups are autonomous in how they run, operating on a Terms of Reference or similar agreement to help keep them accountable to the student body.