Candidate: Theo Van Klundert

Equity, engagement, experience and excellence are the main drivers of the university experience. From fresh undergraduates to academically seasoned doctoral candidates, every student deserves an environment where they can use their unique set of talents to unlock their identity, while being visible, heard and supported on the journey to their intended destination. The spirit of my motivation to stand for election to University Council is to animate that dream, so that the university experience can be much more than a transactional relationship with a learning institution. University life should be the foundation for interpersonal, career and academic opportunities and success.

Over the past four years, I have worked in student advocacy in a range of roles and environments. I served two terms on the AUSA Executive and Student Council as the 2022 and 2023 Queer Rights Officer and was a founding member of Auckland University Disabled Students Association. I was appointed by the Mayor of Auckland to Auckland Council’s Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel, and have sat on the University of Auckland’s Equity Committee, Disability Resources Committee, and the Rainbow Education Design Working Group. I am a member of City Vision – the Greens, Labour, and Community Independent coalition in local government, am a Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, and am the Chair of an employment advocacy charitable trust.

Once elected, I will tackle some of the university’s long-standing student issues by holding university leadership to account and ensuring that student wellbeing and success are at the heart of every discussion and key governance decision. I will advocate for fair student accommodation pricing, better extension policies, improved access to disability services for all students, and greater provision of mental health support. I will engage, collaborate and partner with student’s associations, societies, clubs and wider student groups to ensure a unified student voice on campus, and to be responsive to changing student needs.

With your vote, I will continue the essential work of creating equitable change for all students at the University of Auckland. I will be available and approachable and will be accessible to all student communities. I will strongly advocate for the issues that I know students face, particularly in the current fiscal climate where the university is centralising faculties and cutting spending. I will ensure that spending cuts do not result in reduced course options, a reduction in welfare support and engagement, and a sub-optimal university experience. I will uphold the values and centricity of Te Tiriti O Waitangi, show conscience and equity in my decision making and advocacy, and resilience in times of challenge and change.

I have the deep knowledge and empathy needed to be a strong and effective student voice. I will work hard to ensure every student will be heard and valued, so that that no-one gets left behind.

VOTE THEO for equity, engagement, and experience.