Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE OUSA BULL-PEN OFFICE ON THURSDAY 7 AUGUST 2025 AT 1.02PM
PRESENT
Liam White (Chair), Daniel Leamy, Amy Martin, Amy Whyman, Stella Lynch, Ibuki Nishida, Deborah Huang and Joshua Stewart
IN ATTENDANCE
Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Nina Brown (Critic Editor), Hanna Varrs (Critic Features Editor) and Griffyn Blockley (Critic News Editor).
APOLOGIES
Callum Hadlow, Jett Groshinski, Porourangi Templeton-Reedy and Seluvaia Ratoul.
Moved from the Chair
357/25 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED U
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING
Moved from the Chair
358/25 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 31 July 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record.
CARRIED U
MINUTES OF THE EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE MEETING
Moved from the Chair
359/25 THAT the minutes of the emergency meeting held on 5 August 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record.
CARRIED U
RATIFY THE MINUTES OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING
Moved from the Chair
360/25 THAT the minutes of the emergency meeting held on 5 August 2025 be ratified.
CARRIED U
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
361/25 THAT Donna Jones, Nina Brown, Hanna Varrs and Griffyn Blockley be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
STRICT COMMITTEE
Moved from the Chair
362/25 THAT the meeting move into Strict Committee for reasons of commercial sensitivity at 1.05pm.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
363/25 THAT the meeting move out of Strict Committee at 1.24pm.
CARRIED U
UOPISA UPDATE
Seluvaia passed on via email that no major updates have changed from last week.
As attached. With NZUSA being disbanded there is a proposal to revamp National Tertiary Student Bodies – Aotearoa Tertiary Students’ Association (ATSA) and Aotearoa Tertiary Action Group (ATAG). Discussion to be held on which one OUSA wishes to join.
At a conference recently discussions were held about the future of tertiary student activism in New Zealand and the role of students’ association in that.
ATSA focused on knowledge-sharing and fostering collaboration between Associations on issues within our institutions; this an informal body, which will be governed by an updated version of ATSA’s Terms of Reference. ATSA to be a centra knowledge bank, made up of all executives of members associations with sub-committees to be formed focusing on specific, portfolio-based issues and initiatives. The body is to be focused on information, community and discussion.
ATAG is to be focused specifically on lobbying and political action on issues which affect tertiary students on a national level. All Student Associations and Equity Groups are invited to join ATAG and have representation on the National Council, which will steer the direction and strategy of national campaigns. Decisions making in ATAG is to be decided on a basis of consensus and unanimity, serving all student in Aotearoa, focused on action, advocacy and voice.
OUSA doesn’t have the money for a national body. Help alongside where we can. Are Polytechnics joining either organisation?
It was asked if we should be consulting with the student body on this or put out a media release.
Discussion postponed to the next executive meeting as some people leaving.
2026 EXECUTIVE BUDGET
As attached. There is an increase of $6.5k for the 2026 executive budget knowing we are trying to make cuts. The local body elections ‘enrol to vote’ magazine will be at a cost, and it was discussed if it could be half digital and half hard copy as a pop out in the Critic. MoU’s to be investigated next meeting.
SUBMISSION – ALBANY STREET CONNECTION PROJECT
Moved from the Chair
364/25 THAT the Albany Street Connection Project submission be submitted.
CARRIED U
AFFILIATIONS
Moved from the Chair
365/25 THAT the Tavake Club be affiliated to OUSA.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
366/25 THAT the Bookworm Club be affiliated to OUSA.
CARRIED U
BDS STATEMENT FOR EXECUTIVE APPROVAL
As attached.
Alternative action in the future to be added and also grammatically – ‘but recognises’
Moved from the Chair
367/25 THAT the Executive to the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Movement memorandum be approved with the above small amendments.
CARRIED U
LETTER RECEIVED FROM GREENS MP HERNANDEZ
Tabled for next executive meeting where the MPs will attend the meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Lecture Recordings – please assist Stella and get out there with chalking and putting up posters.
Meeting closed at 1.52pm
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: _________