Te Ara Tautika | The Equity Policy process and timeline

March-April 2022

Initial discussions with the University Equity Leadership Committee and Equity Action Network identified key issues with the current equity policy. Desktop research was carried out by the OPVCE to provide national and international benchmarking, and a briefing was prepared for the working group tasked with preparing the first draft.

May-July 2022

The OPVCE brought together a working group of expert thought leaders to prepare the first draft. The group was encouraged to start fresh rather than revising the current policy, and to be ambitious. The group was comprised of the following people:

• Chair: Professor Robert Greenberg, Arts
• Alofa So’olefai, Auckland University Students Association (AUSA)
  
• Dr Patrick Thomsen, Cultures, Languages and Linguistics
• Jason Tutara, Digital Services
• Professor Missy Morton, Critical Studies in Education
• Avi Nair, Campus Life
• Associate Professor Jan Eldridge, Department of Physics
• Professor Jennifer Curtin, Public Policy Institute and School of Social Sciences
• Dr Guillermo Merelo, Associate Director (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), HR
• Shahela Qureshi, Muslim Chaplain, Maclaurin Chapel
  
• Professor Terryann Clark, School of Nursing
  

The working group was joined for their first meeting by Associate Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins, Ihonuku Māori, and Associate Professor Jemaima Tiatia, Ihonuku te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, who provided a starting point and initial direction for the group’s work. The working group met with Te Kawehau Hoskins and the Toitū Waipapa group for further discussion about indigenous framing of the policy.

The Equity Action Network reviewed and commented on the first draft. The members at the time of this process were:

• Chair: Professor Cathy Stinear, Ihonuku Tōkeke
• Anne-Marie Parsons, Associate Director Student Engagement and Wellbeing, Campus Life
• Carley Fletcher, Student Equity Manager, Student Engagement
  
• Professor Christine Woods, Associate Dean Equity and Diversity, Business School
• Associate Professor Frédérique Vanholsbeeck, Associate Dean Equity and Diversity, Science
• Dr Guillermo Merelo, Associate Director Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, HR
• Jen Rogers, Kaiarahi, Associate Director Diversity and Inclusion, Liggins Institute
• Dr Julie Choisne, Associate Director Equity and Diversity, Auckland Bioengineering Institute
• Dr Maxine Lewis, Associate Dean Equity and Diversity, Arts
• Professor Missy Morton, Education and Social Work
• Nikki Chamberlain, Associate Dean Equity and Diversity, Law
• Perzen Patel, Staff Communications Manager, Communications and Marketing
• Dr Tia Reihana, Associate Dean Equity, Creative Arts and Industries
  
• Tim Baice, Education and Social Work
• Professor Trecia Wouldes, Associate Dean Equity and Diversity, Medical and Health Sciences

The draft policy was also shared with the following for comment:

• Provost, Deans, and Directors Committee (PDDC)
  
• Academic Leadership Team
• Professional Services Leadership Team

Several groups and networks were also invited to review and comment on the draft, including Rainbow, TransOnCampus, students and staff with disability groups, as well as the AUSA and Postgraduate Students Association of the University of Auckland (PGSA). Further revisions were made based on the feedback received from these groups. The format of the draft policy was reviewed and supported by Heather Lussey, who manages the policy hub. Legal also reviewed the draft policy.

August-September 2022

The second draft policy was made available for public consultation for three weeks. A total of 38 submissions were received, from individuals (28), groups (9), and alumni (1). The majority of submissions were from staff: 22 individuals, 3 service divisions, and 4 faculties. The majority of submissions (74%) were partially or fully in support of the draft policy, and no submissions were fully opposed to the draft policy.

Submissions were summarised and presented to the Academic Leadership Team and the University Equity Leadership Committee, along with proposed revisions in response to the submissions received. The proposed revisions were supported, and a third draft policy prepared.

The third draft policy was discussed by members of the working group, the Toitū Waipapa group, and OPVCE, including:

• Professor Cathy Stinear
• Dr Guillermo Merelo
• Associate Professor Jan Eldridge
• Jason Tutara
• Associate Professor Jemaima Tiatia
• Professor Missy Morton
• Associate Professor Ngarino Ellis
• Professor Robert Greenberg
• Shahela Qureshi
• Professor Terryann Clark
• Dr Tiopira McDowell
  

Written feedback was provided by members of the Equity Action Network.
A fourth draft policy was prepared on the basis of these discussions and feedback.

October 2022

The fourth draft policy was presented to PDDC and the University Executive Committee, for their final comments. Minor revisions were made and the final draft policy was provided to the Vice-Chancellor for final consideration and approval.