Student reps given $8000 budget to glow-up each campus

Wellington vice president Takunda Mobanga and student rep Louisa Jones working on the Pukeahu veggie garden. Photo / Massive

Massey’s campuses have been feeling a little like ghost towns lately — but the student assocation’s reps are on a mission to bring them back to life.  

With each campus handed an $8,000 budget for revitalisation, reps are getting crafty about how to turn empty corners into spaces students actually want to hang out in.  

From fresh couches and coffee tables to veggie gardens, dedicated spaces and Stream improvement, they’re giving Massey the glow-up it deserves. 

General president Chiavanni Le’mon said while the association has been kept busy with a representation remodel, “we remain focused on our core roles in representation and improving student spaces”.  

Wellington vice president Takunda Mabonga said, “We know that if we complain to Massey, the probability of it getting done is not going to be so high, or it may take two years to get it done.”  

Mabonga didn’t want students missing out, “I want students to feel like Te Tira Ahu Pae has their back.”  

On the Pukeahu campus, changes are already underway. Block 10 has been decked out with new furniture for Fashion, Photography, and Arts students. And outside, the community garden is getting a cleanup of its own.  

Mabonga became the campus fairy godmother, rolling up his sleeves. “So, I de-weeded that and then got some new vegetables for it.”  

“So hopefully that grows for students. Any student can just grow and pick a vegetable.” 

Mabonga’s also been advocating for Nursing students, pushing for spaces with TVs for online lectures and a budget for free groceries through the City Mission.  

For Mabonga, these upgrades aren’t just about aesthetics – they increase energy and engagement on campus. He felt upgraded spaces show someone actually cares about the campus, “And if I’m really rocking with Massey, then I’m also really engaged in my classes.” 

On the Manawatū campus, vice president Alex Macias is holding tea and coffee events to hear directly from students about what they’d like to see on their campus. 

“The approved budget will be a great tool that I aim to use in the Manawatū campus in support of the student representatives here and their ideas for events,” he said.  

Manawatū disability rep Eleanor Southee is also leading work on developing a dedicated disability space.  

At the Oteha campus, rainbow rep Lochlan Barrable is focused on strengthening connections and support within the rainbow community. The community has been building connections across Auckland through events like movie and gaming nights.  

“We are looking to start recording q and a sessions centering rainbow, mvpfaff+, and takatapui speakers and sharing these sessions with our community,” Barrable said.  

For distance students, reps Alhanis Jacobsen and Brooke Mehlhopt are working on improving Stream’s layout and accessibility to make online study more engaging and user-friendly. 

Jacobsen said, “I am working to collect data from students about the accessibility, layout and functionality of stream in their educational experience.” The results will be presented at Massey University Committees for consideration.