Student Rights
Phoebe Robertson (she/her)
It can be a scary time being a student. You’re learning so many things for the first time: how to live away from home, what a property manager is, whether the degree you chose in high school is right for you, how to juggle part-time (or full-time) work alongside your studies, and dealing with all sorts of interpersonal dramas. It’s tough.
What makes it even harder is when you don’t know your rights. For example, if you’re living with a mate whose parents bought them a house, you might not be covered by the Tenancy Tribunal. Or, did you know that your landlord can’t legally require you to do a ‘professional-grade clean’ at the end of your tenancy. That part-time job? You’re legally entitled to breaks (yes, even in hospitality). And if you think your tutor has unfairly given you a bad grade, there’s actually someone you can go to about that.
When I first came down to Te Herenga Waka to study, I didn’t know any of these things. It’s a lot to take in, and too much information to cram into a single issue of Salient while still keeping it engaging. So, in this issue, we’ve mixed in the fun stuff: a couple of students' trip to Antarctica, the latest news, and tips on where to find cheap meals.
Alongside that, we’ve included some of the tougher topics: the push for Paid Placements, what Community Law, Te Herenga Waka, and VUWSA can offer students in terms of support. This issue isn’t meant to be exhaustive—it’s just a starting point for when you’re in trouble and need to know where to turn for help.
I’ve shared this list before, but it’s worth repeating, so I’m including it again in this editorial. Here’s a list of starting points for where you can go for help if you’re struggling as a student.
VUWSA:
Community pantry. The Community Pantry gives out emergency food parcels to students who need them throughout the year. All you need to do is head to VUWSA reception and ask for a form to fill out. You can get parcels every two months and they are funded through your student levy fee, so you may as well make the most of it.
Free Menstrual Products. Why pay for menstrual products when VUWSA will give you them for free? Locations: Ground Floor restroom, Rankine Brown Building, Kelburn (near Library entrance/under The Hub stairs), VUWSA Pipitea office, Ground floor Rutherford House (next to the info desk), Te Aro Campus Library (just to the side of the entrance).
Kaibosh. Every Friday Kaibosh (via VUWSA) delivers food to Kelburn office during semesters. Kaibosh is a food rescue service, and you can find bread, bagels, fruit and other goodies to pick up for free.
Te Herenga Waka
Pūtea Āwhina | Hardship Fund. Has something come up and you’re struggling to make rent? Cost of living crisis caught up to you? Got an unexpected dentist bill? Need help with gender-affirming care? You can apply for a grant through Pūaha.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Everybody Eats. Runs Sunday-Wednesday from 6-8pm LTD. Level 1, 60 Dixon St, Te Aro. A three-course koha set menu, changes daily with vegetarian/vegan options.
@Kai.for.all (Insta). Community kitchen and garden. They also run free cooking classes and have a community compost system.
Dress for Success. Provides appropriate clothing for job interviews, court appearances, flat viewings, and graduation, just to name a few of the options.
Pro tip: if you want to know your rights around the cops, I have already written about this, just scan the QR code below this article.