AUTSA Student Representative Council nominations open for 2027

NEWS | ISSUE SEVEN | MATARIKI

Written by Liam Hansen (they/them) | @liamhanse.n | Associate Editor

The Auckland University of Technology Students Association is currently taking nominations for its Student Representative Council, the governing body representing various faculties, cultural groups, and communities across AUT campuses while directing the operations and priorities of AUTSA in their services for students.

There are 22 roles sitting within the SRC, broken into subcommittees for communities, like Rainbow, Māori, Pasifika, Disabled, International, and Mature students, the Academic subcommittee for each of the university's faculties, the self-explanatory Campus subcommittee, and the executive branch consisting of the Academic and Community-focused Vice Presidents and the AUTSA President. 

The student representatives participate in frequent SRC committee meetings with operational staff from AUT and AUTSA, sharing the concerns and priorities of their coursemates and peers as the organisation makes decisions on funding, programmes, events, and support. They can expect to put aside 5-10 hours per week for their commitments, including meetings, responding to student emails, and attending AUTSA events. Last year, they worked on advocacy campaigns to lower student public transport fares and continue to work towards increasing transparency on assessments and practices. 

Non-executive roles are voluntary, although student representatives receive honoraria at the end of each semester for their time. The executive roles take on more responsibility working with AUTSA staff and coordinating their fellow reps - both of the vice president roles are part-time at 20 hours per week, and the AUTSA President works full-time in a salaried position. 

James Portegys, the AUTA President from 2025-2026, says, “Being a part of the Student Representative Council is a great way to build leadership and advocacy skills while getting more involved on campus.”

You can either nominate yourself or a friend until Friday, the 24th of July at autsa.org.nz/elections, specifying which roles you are applying for and providing two endorsements from other AUT students. Campaigns begin from next Monday, before voting runs from the 3rd to the 17th of August.