Rainbow student communities

We recognise the diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation in the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland community. We welcome all our rainbow students to join and engage with the rainbow networks and opportunities on campus.

The Rainbow community (or LGBTQIATakatāpui+ or MVPFAFF+ community) make up a large group of students on campus. They represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, takatāpui, māhū (Hawai’i, and Tahiti), vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), palopa (Papua New Guinea), fa’afafine (Samoa), akava’ine (Cook Islands), Fakaleitī (Tonga), Fakafifine (Niue) and all other sexually or gender-diverse communities.

It is recognised that community members may use alternative terms to identify themselves and that the terms “Rainbow,” “Queer,” “LGBTQIATakatāpui+,” and “MVPFAFF+” may be used interchangeably.

Supported by the Rainbow Support Adviser, this group provides rainbow students a chance to socialise and have fun with peers and discuss issues affecting rainbow students at the University.

BENT @ Elam 

BENT is a collective of queer artists made up of staff, students, alumni and friends of Te Waka Tuhura, Elam School of Fine Arts and Design. 

Trans on Campus

Transgender, gender-diverse, and questioning students are encouraged to join Trans on Campus, which is a social club and advocacy group for gender diverse students. Please contact transoncampus.uoa@gmail.com or find out more here.

Rainbow Arts 

A club that supports fellow LGBTQIA+, Takatāpui and MVPFAFF+ to find community or just want to attend fun events within the Faculty of Arts. Please contact rainbowartsuoa@gmail.com or find out more here. 

Rainbow Business

A student-led association united in creating social and advocacy options for students in the Business School. Please contact uoarainbowbusiness@gmail.com or find out more here.

Rainbow Engineering Network

Provides a voice and platform for rainbow individuals within the Faculty of Engineering. Please contact rainbowengineering@gmail.com or find out more here.

Rainbow Law

Provides a voice and platform for rainbow individuals within the Faculty of Law. Please contact rainbowlawatuoa@gmail.com or find out more here.

Rainbow Science Network

An inclusive community providing contacts and support for the rainbow community within the Faculty of Science. Please contact rainbowscience.uoa@gmail.com or find out more here.

The Queer Rights Officer (QRO) is an elected student representative within AUSA, working 10 hours per week. Their responsibility is to support, represent and advocate on behalf of queer students both to the University, and to AUSA. They also look after Queerspace. You can contact them at qro@ausa.org.nz. 

Queerspace is a common room and safe space for Rainbow students at the University. Run by AUSA and administered by the Queer Rights Officer, Queerspace is a combined social and study space. You can find Queerspace in room 311-302; one level above the quad.