A Message From Your President

AUTSA | ANAMATA / THE FUTURE

Written by Alicia Lemmer | AUTSA President 2024–2025 

As I reflect on my time as AUTSA President over the past two years, I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude for what our student community has achieved together. The journey has been one of learning, resilience, and growth, not just for AUTSA as an organisation but for every student who has helped shape campus life, advocacy, and positive change. 

Serving as President through 2024 and 2025 has been a privilege and an honour to represent more than 26,000 students at AUT. These years have been filled with progress and transformation, both seen and unseen, and it has been inspiring to witness how much stronger our collective student voice has become. 

This year has been one of true transformation, both for AUTSA and for me personally. Together, we have made tangible changes that will benefit students for years to come.  

• One of our biggest accomplishments has been launching the $100 Student Support Fund to help students completing placements outside Auckland. We also made progress on the Paid Placements Campaign, which supports students undertaking unpaid placements and highlights the financial challenges they face. 

• Alongside AUT we introduced free AUT gym memberships for all students for the rest of 2025, a milestone that promotes health, wellbeing, and balance. This initiative has been incredibly well received and reflects AUTSA’s commitment to supporting not just academic success but also the overall wellbeing of our student community. 

• Following what we heard from students earlier in the year, we launched the Fair Fares Campaign in collaboration with the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA). This campaign advocated for a fairer public transport system and successfully pushed for the tertiary concession to increase from 20% to 50%. We hope to see even more progress in this area in the coming year. 

• We passed a new AUTSA Constitution in line with the 2022 Incorporated Societies Act, modernising our structure and setting a strong foundation for the future. This ensures that our association remains strong, compliant, and truly student-led. 

• A Memorandum of Understanding with Titahi Ki Tua (TKT) was signed, strengthening our partnership with AUT and ensuring better outcomes and representation for Māori students. 

• We redefined how we train and empower the Student Representative Council (SRC). For the first time in years, we took training off-site, developed a new SRC Handbook, and created a process that future teams can build upon. The results have been incredible, with stronger representation, a more united team, and passionate leaders who truly care about improving the student experience. 

• We continued to develop the Academic Student Representative Programme, launched in 2024, by working alongside faculties to ensure effective mechanisms for student voice are implemented and continuously improved. 

• We launched a new CRM system for AUTSA, improving how we support and connect with students, and enhancing how we respond to advocacy and service needs. 

• Finally, we helped establish a new national student body with other student presidents across Aotearoa, strengthening collaboration and representation on a national level. 

Beyond these milestones, some of the most meaningful achievements over the past two years have been intangible. The personal growth, the lessons in leadership, and the privilege of connecting with passionate student leaders and advocates from around the country have shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. 

A Message for You 

To first, second, or third-year students: embrace the full experience of university life. Make the most of what AUT offers you; free doctors, counselling, clubs, and of course, those student discounts (Unidays, Student Card, Community Services Card, and more). It’s easy to drift through on autopilot, but real growth happens when you get involved, step forward, and stay curious. Fall in love with learning, not just your degree but everything that sparks your curiosity. In a world increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence, your ability to learn, adapt, and think critically will be your greatest advantage. 

To final-year students: congratulations! You have completed a chapter that has tested, inspired, and prepared you for what’s next. Keep learning, stay connected, and remember the bond that links us all as AUT graduates. The future needs your ideas, your passion, and your perspective. I look forward to seeing many of you out in the workforce, continuing to make a difference. 

AUTSA’s Future 

Next year, AUTSA will be in great hands under the leadership of your 2026 President, James Portegys. I’ll be working closely with him to ensure a smooth and well-documented handover, so he is ready to hit the ground running. AUTSA will continue to advocate fiercely for students, push for cheaper public transport, support clubs and events, amplify your voice in university decision-making, and be your go-to support when things get tough through services like Tautoko and Advocacy. 

Closing Thoughts 

Leadership, at its heart, is about service, about uplifting and growing others while building something that outlives your time in the role. Throughout my presidency, I have always tried to create space for others to thrive and to leave things a little better than I found them. The last two years have shown what is possible when students unite around a shared purpose and a vision for change. Thank you, AUT whānau, for letting me serve you, laugh with you, and advocate for you. This chapter may be closing for me, but the spirit of student voice, community, and courage continues to grow. 

Alicia Lemmer 

President 2024–2025, AUTSA