Kupe Leadership Scholarship: Honours student talks complexities of urban housing policy

Ko Kurahaupō te Waka
Ko Manaia te Maunga
Ko Kāeo te Awa
Ko Ngāti Kurī te Iwi
Ko Kingi te Whānau
Ko Mangaiti te Marae
Ko Alex King tōku ingoa

Alex King has been recognised as a student with potential to become transformational, under the Kupe Leadership Scholarship program. The schoalrship is awarded to students who have potential to become leaders and are committed to using their skills and knowledge to address social, environmental, and economic challenges.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with like-minded scholars who are working towards more equitable futures, and with awe-inspiring mentors who are actively engaging with social change through their career,” says Alex.

“Through the calibre of selected scholars, this scholarship has already shown me how diverse and passionate this next generation of leaders are. My studies are enhanced through the opportunity to share knowledges with other scholars, mentors and guest speakers to better understand how we can enact change within our chosen disciplines.”

This year, Alex is completing his Honours in Geography under a Bachelor of Arts degree. More specifically, he’s studying human geography and looking to better understand how communities and cultures interact with the space around them.

“Growing up in State Housing in Tāmaki, I’ve witnessed first-hand how little the system advocates for the people it promises to help.

“Identity politics and social stigma have shifted public perception away from the value and purpose of social housing and have subsequently created a vast social disconnect between social housing tenants and those that engage with the private market.

“I’ve come to Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland, to study human geography so that I can better understand the complexities of urban housing policy and to actively contribute towards the empowerment of an immensely vulnerable population.”

Through the mentorship programme, Alex is paired with Metiria Stanton Turei, one of Aotearoa’s most esteemed and steadfast voices for marginalised populations.

“Metiria’s background in politics and law has influenced her rich understandings of the legislative proceedings which shape the social landscape of this country.

“Her lived experiences as a wāhine within the welfare system has shaped her values around the importance of community-led action and the empowerment of disenfranchised populations.

“Through our mentor relationship I hope to learn how to most effectively engage with the powerful institutions that shape collective understandings of society and how to proactively drive transformative change from within."

Alex believes the University provides the opportunity to pair his lived experiences with academic theory, by enriching his understandings of geographic approaches and developing key skills around critical thinking and problem-solving.

“I can address the challenges within housing policy with a more refined and multifaceted perspective.”

Although Alex says it’s hard to pinpoint where exactly he envisions himself, he knows he wants to be “useful”.

“This scholarship has already taught me that my background does not define the boundaries of change which I can make. Regardless of my education, socioeconomic position, culture, or mobility, if I can make a meaningful difference for someone, I know I will have achieved everything I need.”

“My goals at this stage are largely around becoming more acutely accustomed to the intricacies of local and central government and finding ways to empower community change for vulnerable populations.”