Student rights advocacy , Te kōkiri nawe tauira

Independent advocates in your students association can help you make sure your rights as a student are respected, and also support you when you need financial assistance.

Three students inside, sitting around a table, laughing

Student advocacy services

The professional advocacy service provided through your students association, Te Tira Ahu Pae, is free and confidential. Advocates are 100% independent of the university.

Your student advocate can advise and support you when challenges come up that affect your studies and student life, including:

  • financial hardship
  • academic concerns and complaints
  • landlord, tenancy or employment issues.

Advocates can also help you understand your rights, responsibilities and options as a Massey student. They can be your support person when you need someone on your side, and refer you to other appropriate services.

Financial hardship

When financial emergencies arise, student advocates can help you get any financial assistance available to you.

Fees and funding

Academic concerns or complaints

When you accept an offer of place at Massey you agree to Tā te Tauira Kirimana, the Student Contract, including a code of conduct.

If you feel this contract has been broken by a lecturer, staff member or someone in your class, your advocate in the students association can support you to work through your concern or make an official complaint.

Your advocate can:

  • be the first person you talk with if you feel you have been academically disadvantaged or treated unfairly in your academic work
  • listen if you have been unfairly assessed or treated, discriminated against, harassed or made to feel unsafe and want to talk to somebody
  • offer suggestions if you're not sure what to do next
  • be your support person
  • review any communications before you send them or send messages on your behalf to protect your anonymity.

Services and support for students

Support with raising a concern or making a complaint

Landlord, tenancy or employment issues

It can be hard to know your legal rights and options when things go wrong with your flatting or accommodation situation, or your job. Your advocate can help you navigate these challenges.

Find an advocate

Advocates will work with you in a way that suits you, such as phone, email, social media or zoom. This includes attending meetings or hearings with you. Advocates are based in your students association, Te Tira Ahu Pae.

Te Tira Ahu Pae

Class representatives

As a Massey student, you also have a class representative for all of your classes. These students work on your behalf to advocate for positive changes in your courses. They work closely with Te Tira Ahu Pae advocates to make them aware of issues in classes, courses and colleges as they come up.

Find out who your class representative is on Stream, or contact Te Tira Ahu Pae to become a class representative.

Contact Te Tira Ahu Pae

Advocates

Auckland

Penny Lyall

Email: advocate.penny@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

Manawatū

Sandra Pedley

Email: advocate.sandra@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

Noor Fatima

Email: advocate.noor@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

Wellington

Ezra Seiuli

Email: advocate.ezra@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

Distance

Kelly Hall

Email: advocate.kelly@tetiraahupae.ac.nz

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Making a complaint

Support with making a complaint about service delivery, behaviour of a student or staff member, or an outcome, so that you can understand and resolve issues.

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