Candidate: FaAfuhia Fia

Kia Ora! My name is FaAfuhia(Fa) Fia, and I am the current student representative on University Council and in the final stages of my Law and Commerce Degrees. I am seeking re-election for a further two-year term. I have remained committed to ensuring the Board’s work is focused on YOU, our students! This is slowly occurring, although slower than I would like. I have strived to be as transparent as possible, only providing one authorised statement, as I am subject to the University’s Media Policy. Again, something I’m disappointed in and my campaign priorities address this roadblock. I have actively promoted student issues, whether related to funding and MMI selection for medical school.

Despite only having one vote at the board table, a host of legal duties binding me and university processes, I have ensured your voice is heard at every stage. Getting the results that matter, such as the Law and Business Merger, whilst navigating this tangle of complex duties.

As a Council Member, the successful candidate will vote on the appointment of the new VC. It is vital for someone who already understands the current dynamic around the Board Table, the feeling, amongst University staff and students, with the landscape of changing government priorities. I am the person who listens to all these groups to try and find the middle road.

Regarding priorities, I need your endorsement so I can advocate for you in the light without internal rules blocking me from doing so.

1. Pass a University Statute to empower this Office
   a. to make public statements on relevant Council Business to Students through email or social media.
   b. To promote student-related issues to central and local government. Allowing the collective voice of students and the University to bring the problems to the forefront of the national conversation, ie. Rising cost of public transport, University funding, etc.
2. Amend the University’s Constitution to provide for two student representatives from 2027. I have been confident in my own skills to challenge and contribute to the Council’s Agenda, but I am conscious that my successors won’t have the experience I have, so this seems like a logical next step to secure student voice.

I bring a wealth of prior governance and work experience. Having previously served on the Diocesan Council for the Anglican Diocese of Auckland and its Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. I served on the Board of First Union Inc. in 2022, and in the same year, during collective bargaining achieved an average 19% pay increase for Countdown Workers whilst on the bargaining team. I also sit on the Auckland District Licensing Committee, another statutory body dealing with Alcohol licensing applications.

As the incumbent, I also bring my experience from the University Council and its associated subcommittees. Finance, Honours, and Student Appeals Sub-Committees. Ensuring students get a fair go through all things.

I hope you can see I have done work a lot of work albeit in the shadows – it would be an honour to serve again.