New politics subcommittee seeks expressions of interest – but skips big clubs

Massey’s political clubs are feeling left out of the loop on a brand-new politics subcommittee, a group led by the student association aiming to represent students on political issues. 

The group aims to create safe political engagement for students, with expressions of interest closing this Tuesday.

It will act as an advisory on political matters affecting students, gather perspectives, and keep communication flowing between Te Tira Ahu Pae, Massey, and political candidates when campaigns and events roll through. 

Pasifika co-president Mary Ieremia-Allan said the aim is to create a space for students to engage in politics.  

“Just recognising the state of politics in New Zealand is a super touchy subject for many people. There’s a lot of rhetoric going around that would also endanger a lot of communities,” she said. 

However, president of the Civics Club, Keezia Broughton said while the idea has potential, the rollout felt vague.  

Broughton said the lack of consultation was disappointing and felt the subcommittee could “easily become a space for the Students’ Association to use and abuse this space to justify any action they may wish to take against certain political clubs or student politics in general”. 

Broughton said clubs like Civics, Campus Greens and Young Nats should have been a part of the process from the start, arguing that a range viewpoints and feedback would be beneficial if they were made from multiple parties. 

Additionally, Broughton hoped the subcommittee would address the “undemocratic practices” within Te Tira Ahu Pae, specifically the debate between whether representatives should be elected or appointed.  

“Action has to be taken now, not through empty promises made from the Student’s Association,” she believed.  

President of the Greens clubs in Massey Palmy, Ryn Peni agreed with Massey Civics.  

“We are hoping that as an established club we will be involved with the subcommittee considering they are most likely to have a direct influence over us,” Peni said.  

“To be able to have all political clubs involved on the subcommittee, both partisan and non-partisan, would be ideal.”  

For now, the subcommittee is still in its sign-up phase – but whether it becomes a genuine platform for student voices, or just another layer of student association politics, some are yet to be convinced.