Opinion: Student presidents being appointed without student body votes is undemocratic

I can’t think of a respectable country that appoints their national leader, rather than holding an election. But I guess in the land of Te Tira Ahu Pae, democracy isn’t the priority.  

Since 2022, the tripartite presidents of Te Tira Ahu Pae who stand for all Massey University students, have been appointed not elected by the student body. 

I reached out to all three current presidents about this issue – not one of them responded. 

There are currently three presidents: Hennessey Wilson as general President, Westly Peters and Sosefina Filo Masoe as Pasifika co-presidents, and there is currently no Māori president (also known as Mana Whakahaere).  

According to the Te Tira Ahu Pae constitution document, the presidents and vice presidents are appointed. The process says appointments will be made prior to student representatives' elections in the second semester. It said the student board will “call for expressions of interest from the student body”.  

Thus far, rep nominations have already begun and I have not seen anything from the association upholding its promise to ‘call for expressions of interest’ on new presidents.  

One line of the constitution in particular feels like a slap in the face: “The seven Student Representatives will be appointed, and the student body shall be notified”.  

Oh, thanks for the notification.  

Each president sits on the appointment panel for the next president for that cohort, as well as reps. I appreciate that this brings some student voice to who the next presidents are.  

However, thousands of Massey students are left out. This also opens a space for nepotism and bias to creep in. 

I also appreciate that students do get to vote for student representatives, to which nominations are now open. But this isn’t enough, we need to vote on who the top dogs are too.  

When we have student presidents chosen for their positions, we expect them to be active with us when it comes to issues happening on campus. For Albany, it's been a dead zone with very little events. We’ve also been left out this year when it comes to protesting on the university’s neutrality on the war and Palestine, as well as staff and course cuts.  

Being on the Albany campus, I feel isolated from the student presidents. And I know I’m not the only one.  

When presidents stand with their students, we don’t feel alone or forgotten when we find out that more degrees will be cut.  

Without a chance to have student voices to be heard, it kills any chance for democracy.  

Bring back student president elections.