VUWSA - Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association

Since a bunch of people are currently looking for, moving into and moving out of flats, we thought it would be handy for us to share one of our resources from this year’s Flatting Week! 💓

If you want more information, we’d recommend checking out the Tenancy Services website or the Aratohu website. They’ve got a bunch of great information and resources available to use 🏠

Also remember, if you have any issues with your tenancy, our advocates are available to offer advice and support. Fill out the advocacy form on our website and we’ll get you set up with a meeting 🫶

Ever wondered what causes asthma? We’re looking for people, with and without asthma, to help us figure it out. You’ll be in and out in 30 minutes, with a quick questionnaire and skin allergy test, plus a $25 voucher per visit. If you’re 16-22 and curious, get in touch – let’s help make a difference.



Call 0800 227 846 or text ‘YES CAMERA’ to 021 280 0299 for more info.

The Class Rep Policy lays the groundwork for every Class Rep at Te Herenga Waka to be supported and empowered to represent their fellow students. Right now, the uni is reviewing this policy to make sure it's staying current and being everything it needs to be.

Some of the big proposed changes include:
- Adding a principles section to make it clearer to academic staff why it's so important to appoint a Class Rep
- Making Class Reps at postgrad level the rule, not the exception
- Making it easier to appoint a "Cohort Rep" for irregular course arrangements. For example, where a large performance class might come together once in the whole Trimester and then split off into tiny groups by instrument; where one single group of students take the same grouping of papers; where a course is taught at both 200- and 300-level; where there are placements outside the uni etc.
- Setting some clear expectations for what a Class Rep should and *should not* be asked to do
- Adding a provision so that a Class Rep can be removed from the role only in "exceptional circumstances" and with the agreement of VUWSA

We'd love your feedback on a few specific parts of the proposed Policy so that we can properly represent the student voice. We know you're busy, so the survey is short. Click this link if you want to give feedback. https://vuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_54L8mn4mV4jxglU

If you'd like more information you can reach out to [email protected].

Even though the official Stress-free Study Week is over, we've still got a couple things going on to help you chill out during exam season!

We've got a bunch of Allpress coffee available at our Kelburn office! Come on through and grab yourself a can for free 🤩

After grabbing your coffee, head over to the Biodiversity garden opposite our office and enjoy the incredible weather we're having at the moment! We've got beanbags you can use, alongside some board games available at our reception!

Best of luck with any exams/assignments you've got coming up 🫶

It's Stress-Free Study Week - have you checked out the events that our mates at Student Equity & Wellbeing, are holding this week alongside our breakfast

https://www.facebook.com/vuwequitywellbeing/posts/pfbid02pwVdY1mqkVMZCxqcEWD4tizqryHBrY1WkHvbrfsS2NkGtQEiSrKL4n6yZutuHJSbl

New Science in Society Courses at Te Herenga Waka

SCIS201 Challenging Cultures of Medical Science + Technology
Take a closer look at the cultures underpinning modern medical science and the societal implications of technological advancements. What assumptions drive scientific progress? And who benefits?

SCIS301 Mātauranga in Society: Engaging with Te Ao Māori for Science, Conservation + Environmental Management

Understand the rich perspectives of mātauranga Māori and how these shape and inform approaches to science, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Delve into the dialogue between Western science and indigenous knowledge.

Courses are available through the Science in Society group at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. For more details, check the link here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/study/programmes-courses/courses/by-subject?sub=198

Stress Free Study Week is ON next week!

Get free breakfast and lunch Monday thru Friday to help you out with your studies; all thanks to our mates at Krishna Food Wellington and Coffee Supreme NZ

Brekky - 9-11am
Lunch - 11.30-1.30pm (or till we run out)

Te Aro, VS125
Kelburn, VUWSA Office, Student Union Building
Pipitea, Rutherford House, Mezzanine level

Help us out with Stress Free Study Week! We need volunteers for all three campuses, breakfast and lunch next week. There's Wellington Plus points and the sweet glow of satisfaction for a job well done up for grabs, plus you'll get breakfast and lunch too.

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_WQusIvitSBf6EYxBPrQ-lxJO6V-4trygxODn4Axi-pskxA/viewform

Stress Free Study Week Thank you for signing up to volunteer for Stress Free Study Week for Trimester 2! We are looking for a team of awesome volunteers to help deliver free breakfasts and lunches across our three campuses, to help students in the lead up to their exams. If you have any questions, please free to get in to...

Calling future book publishers: applications are now open for the Penguin Random House New Zealand Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship, which covers the successful student’s fees for the Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied) at Whitireia/Weltec.

Read about the Graduate Diploma in publishing here: https://www.whitireiaweltec.ac.nz/study-programmes/creativity/creative-writing-and-publishing/graduate-diploma-in-publishing-applied/

Read about Penguin’s commitment here: https://www.penguin.co.nz/news/4724-call-for-applications-for-maori-and-pacific-publishing-scholarship

Application forms are here: https://www.whitireiaweltec.ac.nz/enrolment-information/funding-your-study/scholarships/whitireia-scholarships/

Kia ora!

Last week we hosted the annual student rep awards for 2024! 🌟

A huge congratulations to all of our recipients and nominees, thank you so much for all the incredible hard work that you do 👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓💖

Our 2024 Award winners are:

President’s Award (joint winners):
Amandie Weerasundara and Joshua Paterson

Lecturer of the Year:
Michaela Richards (Religious Studies)

Class Rep Awards:
Emma Baines for LAWS307
Isabel Pecora for THEA590
Bria Wong-Tung and Canaan Iati for PASP001 and 002
Nia Road for PSYC221

Faculty Rep awards:
Issy Masters (FHSS)
Alexandra Berney-Stewart (FHSS)
Dante Dawes (FHSS)
Tanya Haseltine (FHSS)
Tatiana Wong-Tung (FHSS)
Hannah Clark (Science)
Joshua Paterson (WSBG)

Outstanding Lecturer Awards:
Monica Tempain (German)
Emily Beausoleil (Political Science)
Sara Pivac Alexander (NZ Sign Language)
Carolyn Boulton (Earth Sciences)
Geoff Troughton (Religious Studies)

Last week we:

- Held an amazing Mental Health Awareness Week Expo with the uni!
- Had our AGM
- Elected our Exec for 2025
- Held our Student Rep Awards
- Saw some great taiko drumming

Congrats to all our winners and thanks for joining us at our events!!

It is our LAST Hand Crafted Market of the year and you don't wanna miss this. Grab yourself some early Christmas gifts at our market on Oct 3.

We've got 20+ fabulous stallholders this time, so DON'T MISS OUT!

Pick up some free homewares for your 2025 flat at our Homeware Drive! 🫖🥄🍽️ 11am, Oct 3, in the Hub!

Are you graduating in 2024? Level up your finances with a free financial health check-up and go in the draw to win $3,000. A MAS Adviser, can meet with you at a time and place that suits you to review your financial goals and see how we can help. Book an appointment now at mas.co.nz/grad2024

Vote Salient?! Salient has a long tradition of representing our amazing students, being led by an equally amazing student, or students in the case of Co-Editors.

Have you ever wanted to be the editor, or know someone who would be amazing, apply now. We can't wait to hear from you.
https://www.seek.co.nz/job/78683974

Congratulations to our winners for our Exec Election! Here's your 2025 Exec.

President – Liban Ali
Academic Vice-President - Ethan Rogacion
Engagement Vice-President - Aidan Donoghue
Welfare Vice-President – Josh Robinson
Clubs & Activities Officer - George Baker
Education Officer - Aría Lal
Equity Officer – Aspen Jackman
Sustainability Officer – Hugh Acton
Treasurer/Secretary - Sanjukta Dey

For the full results declaration, check out: http://vuwsa.org.nz/election-winners

The VUWSA General Meeting will start this Thursday at midday.
Come hear how the year has been, and approve a few important changes to our constitution.

Or just come and get some Hunter Lounge pizza🍕

🐕🐕🐕🐕

Take a break, unwind and recharge at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne Ecosanctuary with a student membership for just $54.

Spending time in nature has shown to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression, so make the most of unlimited general admission, at 10% discount at onsite Rātā Cafe and free wifi for study with a view.

Check out https://www.visitzealandia.com/members for more info.

Mental Awareness Week is around the corner and VUWSA is organising an expo!! The theme this year is Community is.. what we create, together.

Come join us on Wednesday the 25th of September for our Mental Health Awareness Week Expo in the Hub! Come through and connect with local organisations and explore valuable mental health resources. With a handful of stall holders joining us on the day this is a great opportunity to touch base with support services and learn about the tools that are available to prioritise your well-being. Free pizza will also be provided by the University!