The 2026 OUSA Referendum results are in! 1467 tauira voted for the following:
Should the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 be received and accepted? (82.1% yes, 14.9% no, 3.0% abstained)
Should OUSA's Annual Report for 2025 be received and accepted? (86.5% yes, 11.2% no, 2.2% abstained)
Should OUSA's Secretary, Donna Jones, be reappointed for a further fixed term of four (4) years? (63.5% yes, 19.8% no, 16.7% abstained)
Should OUSA express an opinion of no confidence in the Coalition Government (National, NZ First, ACT) in response to its decision to end the final year fees-free tertiary education scheme? (83.4% yes, 13.2% no, 3.5% abstained)
Should OUSA express support for a change of Government at the 2026 general election in response to the current Government's decision to end the final year fees-free tertiary education scheme? (69.3% yes, 25.5% no, 5.2% abstained)
Should OUSA provide regular hot food options as part of its "free breakfast" initiative (alongside porridge which is currently provided)? (72.8% yes, 21.5% no, 5.7% abstained)
Should OUSA investigate purchasing the hospitality venue known as Dropkicks for use as a student bar? (69.7% yes, 24.7% no, 5.5% abstained)
Should OUSA lobby the University of Otago to introduce a first-year paper, focused on writing and research skills? (51.1% yes, 42.2% no, 6.7% abstained)
Should OUSA advocate for an increase to base hourly rates paid to tutors and demonstrators under the University of Otago's Tutors and Demonstrators Guidelines? (63.8% yes, 25.0% no, 11.2% abstained)
Should OUSA advocate for payment of the living wage to all University of Otago employees? (81.7% yes, 13.2% no, 5.1% abstained)
Should OUSA update its Executive and CEO Remuneration Policy to require the remuneration for OUSA's Executive Officers to be decided by an independent expert? (46.5% yes, 32.0% no, 21.5% abstained)
Should all individuals offered employment by the University of Otago in roles involving contact with students be required to undergo police vetting before commencing employment, to support student safety? (76.1% yes, 17.9% no, 6.1% abstained)
Should OUSA advocate for the Vice-Chancellor to commit to regular engagement with Te Rōpū Māori and University of Otago Pacific Island Students' Association? (74.5% yes, 17.2% no, 8.3% abstained)
Should OUSA advocate for an update to the University of Otago's Tutors and Demonstrators Guidelines to require all tutors and demonstrators to complete the University's HYBRID (Helping You the Bystander Respond and Intervene to Disclosures) workshop on sexual violence & harm? (67.1% yes, 23.8% no, 9.1% abstained)
Should OUSA oppose and advocate against the proposed demolition of the Archway Building Lecture Theatres? (53.2% yes, 35.1% no, 11.7% abstained)
Should OUSA consolidate the Executive roles of Finance and Strategy Officer and Political Representative into a single Engagement Vice-President role, noting that this would require a formal amendment to OUSA's constitution to be approved at a future Annual General Meeting? (41% yes, 41% no, 17.9% abstained)
