NOTE: These are uncensored, unfiltered and unedited blurbs straight from the horses’ mouth(s). All blurbs apart from President were capped at 100 words, so some are cut off. If candidates do not have a picture alongside their blurb, that is because they missed the photo window with us from 2-4pm on the 17th of September. If candidates have no blurb, that is because they missed the deadline of 4pm 17th of September.
PRESIDENT: Leads the Executive and serves as the primary representative of the association
Troy Gibbons
Kia ora, I’m running to be your President because OUSA needs experienced, progressive leadership that puts students first. I’m just your average student. From the barricade at Pint Night to the computers in Central, I understand the pressures students face because I live them too. As your Finance & Strategy Officer, I’ve fought for student rights, delivered extra club grants as promised, and worked to make sure student voices are heard. But our work isn’t finished. As your 2027 President, I’ll put student welfare and student control at the heart of OUSA. I’ll fight to make $5 lunch free, secure the Winter Energy Payment, and get UBAR open three nights a week. I’ll support clubs, protect student services, and build an independent OUSA that is accountable to its members. If you want a bold student union vote Troy for President
Rosie Cruickshank
There is plenty for students to be upset about: attacks on education, our university’s spinelessness on the Gaza genocide, poor quality housing and corporate greed squeezing every dollar out of us. All these problems have one thing in common: capitalism. The rich and powerful have no interest in fixing these problems for us. They created them. If we want to make change, we need to get organised. We need to be at the forefront of a mass militant student movement. We need to organise mass rallies, direct action and build huge movements where all of us are leaders, strategists and activists. I am a revolutionary socialist and a student activist with the International Socialist Organisation. If elected as OUSA president, I’ll ensure resources are poured into empowering our collective voice, and creating organising power for a student movement that can win. Vote socialist! Vote Rosie for a fighting student movement!
Lochlan Hanham
As our abilities to study, find work, or even get a benefit are curtailed; as the university attempts to evade student outcry; the time comes for someone to stand up and fight back!
Lochlan Hanham is a 4th year undergraduate student studying Zoology, Botany & Classics. They have been a class rep, and the president of OUTEAS. They run The Saturday Night Carnival on Radio 1. They have spoken at protests and fora. They are presently involved with The Education Action group. With loud voice and steely conviction, Lochlan Hanham will advocate for the students; they will fight for you!
Fergus Parks
(No blurb).
ADMINISTRATIVE VICE-PRESIDENT: Supports the President, oversees Executive operations, and ensures adherence to policies
Kamesha Jones
I have much more to give to OUSA. One year as AVP has taught me heaps, and the experience has given me the skillset and knowledge to do an even better job in 2027. This year I have been a part of strengthening governance, improving political engagement, and supporting the exec whanau in their endeavours. I am well set up for another term of leadership, with one year of AVP experience, and in 2025 being the Tramping Club President. I am frothing to keep upwards student union momentum into next year, and bringing the whole of campus with me.
Sarah Al-Shanfari
I’m Sarah, and I’ve been the president of UniQ in the past year and a half, and I want to prioritise YOUR (and every students’) welfare, with a heavy focus on cost of living, accessibility, and exec transparency. In terms of AVP responsibilities, I want to make sure everyone on campus stays informed about what is happening behind the scenes and the services that the association has to offer. Cost of living is also a critical problem that is mentioned time and time again, and it’s important to keep and expand the current programs that the association offers.
FINANCE & STRATEGY OFFICER: Manages the association’s finances and develops its business strategy
Ella Coudret
Kia Ora! I'm Ella Coudret, and I'm running to serve you as Finance and Strategy Officer. I'm an Economics and Communications student, and I want to make sure students are getting the most they absolutely can from OUSA. I believe in protecting and improving the services that are at the heart of student life. More funding for Clubs, Student Media, and Welfare means ensuring you can experience direct benefits and tangible results. If you want an OUSA that prioritises engaging students and making sure you get the most from your student association, vote Ella!
ACADEMIC REPRESENTATIVE: Represents students on educational matters
Dominic Seralius
Hi, I’m Dominic, a 3rd year in Politics and Classics, I am running for the role of Academic Representative. Having been the Academic rep for POLSA and being involved in other more academic club execs such as the new History Students Society. In my role as academic rep for POLSA I organised and was involved in initiatives such as peer mentoring and talked to university staff throughout the year.
Ben de Ruyter
Kia Ora, my name is Ben de Ruyter and I'm running for Academic Representative! As I near the end of my second year of study as a Law and PPE student I’ve realised something: this student shit is getting harder! Everything's more expensive, services are being cut to shreds, and we’re expected to just carry on. Fuck that. We deserve a better uni. We deserve mor. We deserve paid placement. We deserve to be taken seriously! As your Academic Rep I would fight like hell for you on committees, in the senate, and for your academic future! Insta: Ben4OUSA
Niko Fay
Otago students deserve a seat at the table. We can't afford our next Academic Rep "learning on the job" for the first six months. As the Humanities Faculty Rep, I already have the experience and relationships necessary to step in and get straight to work.This means shifting university policy away from outdated paternalistic attitudes and towards real support; I'll continue working to end graded attendance and ensure all lectures are recorded. Missing lectures already means missing content — why punish us twice? Sometimes we've got more important shit to do. Don't vote for the status quo. Vote for Niko.
WELFARE & EQUITY REPRESENTATIVE: Focuses on student welfare and equity issues
Sarah Al-Shanfari
The role name says it, I want to focus on making sure YOU are well, and that you’re represented fairly on the OUSA exec. Keeping food programs, lobbying for an accessible campus, expanding accessible gender-neutral bathrooms are one of the many ways I will be focusing on Welfare & Equity. One of my biggest motivators is advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers, as I am a refugee myself and I’ve noticed that we aren’t well represented on campus. I also want to represent fellow trans folks, especially in this hectic climate where bills are being proposed to take us down!
Reuben Tait
As someone who’s been through plenty of struggles during his time at University, I know what it’s like to need a helping hand. We’ve all wondered how we’re going to afford basic necessities, or pass our papers. Sometimes it’s impossible to even deal with those issues on top of our personal struggles. Student welfare isn’t a difficult issue to care about, but it’s particularly important to me as someone who’s struggled. I want to be an avenue of support for students, whatever they’re going through, and work to create better support networks to help students in their time of need.
Hamza Baalousha
Kia ora, My name is Hamza Baalousha and I am running for your OUSA 2027 Welfare & Equity Rep. I was born in Gaza and raised in Napier before coming to Otago to study. As welfare & equity Rep I hope to focus on the many aspects of student wellbeing, addressing student issues from the perspectives of students, which I believe is key to delivering successful improvements to student welfare and equity across campus. If you see me around do not hesitate to say hi :) I don’t bite.
Yuri Castañeda
Kia ora! My name's Yuri, and I am running to be your OUSA Welfare and Equity rep for 2028. I'm originally from the Philippines, grew up in Qatar, before coming to Dunedin to study Politics and Economics. Being too broke for halls, I used every support service, went to every event, and found my place here at Otago despite being a little queer, a little foreign, and a few years away from wearing shorts in the middle of winter. I want to help build the positive uni experience I did for everyone, so please vote for me!
POSTGRADUATE REPRESENTATIVE: Focuses on the needs of postgraduate students
Imogen Harris
Kia Ora! I’m Imogen, I’m a Botany master’s student, and I’m passionate about all the good and the bad that is postgrad. Student representation can be homogenous – that needs to stop. I’m a fierce advocate, with a good understanding of what postgrads need; Tailored disabilities and wellbeing support, student allowance eligibility, and events that make sense for us. With my experience as Otago University Tramping Club President, with 27 exec and 1000+ members I am well versed in listening, organising and admin. I will climb the mountain of paperwork and crush the bureaucracy to get postgrads what we deserve!
Kristina Hames
Kia ora, I’m Kristina, a first-year PhD student running to be your Postgraduate Representative! In 2027, I’ll be entering my third year of postgraduate study, so I know the ropes and understand the challenges. Postgrad life is demanding; being heard, supported and connected shouldn’t be. The current support systems are falling short, and I want to work with students, departments and the University to make them more accessible and effective. Over the past two years, I’ve founded and led student associations at Otago, giving me the experience to advocate effectively, strengthen our community and turn students’ concerns into meaningful action.
Fergus Parks
(No blurb).
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Represents the interests of international students
Tim Podornicov
Hello, I’m Tim Podornicov, I’m running for OUSA International Students’ Representative. I’m majoring in Global Studies and Finances. I was born in Moldova, and before coming to New Zealand, I graduated an International High School in United Arab Emirates. I know a lot about struggles international people go through – they want to be accepted, be part of the community, be heard, and be treated as equals. I’m in the same boat with students coming from overseas to study at Otago, this is why I have passion and genuine will to advocate for us, and more importantly – courage to do it.
Ilham Nadhirah Azman
Kia Ora, I'm Ilham a.k.a. Yummy. As an international student myself, I know how important is it to feel supported, be seen, and be heard. With the upcoming general election and potential changes in education policies, I think it’s especially important that international students continue to have a strong voice concerning their wellbeing and rights, including the protections outlined in the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. I’ve previously been involved as Vice President of OMSA and Social Impact Lead, advocating for students and creating meaningful community impact. Working closely with the
Allyson Tan
(No blurb).
CLUBS & SOCS REPRESENTATIVE: Promotes and supports student clubs and societies
Dominic Seralius
Hi, I’m Dominic, a 3rd year who has been involved in clubs for all three of those years including being on club executives since 2nd year. I have been on the executives of 3 clubs where I have been in a variety of roles from general exec to academic rep and even treasurer. I have a good knowledge of clubs and what it takes to run and maintain clubs as well as how difficult it is to start a new club while being on the executive of Hsoc (the new History Students Society). Vote Dominic @Dom4OUSA
Ella Grayson
Kia ora, I’m Ella Grayson, a seasoned Otago University student heading into my fifth year. I bring extensive experience to the Clubs and Societies Representative role, having participated in countless club events, held four executive positions, and worked at OUSA Clubs and Socs over the past year. Getting involved in clubs has shaped my university experience, and I know I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities without them. I’m passionate about giving back and supporting the clubs that contribute so much meaning to our student life. I’m excited to [hopefully] use my experience to help clubs thrive and support students.
Cheol Shin
Hey everyone my name is Cheol and I am running to be your Clubs and Societies representative for OUSA 2027!! Some of you may know my work at Locals but I am also a part of different clubs and societies. Currently, I have the privilege of being in two executive positions. This has allowed me to see how much OUSA’s support can contribute to help a community thrive. Each club and society brings something unique to the student experience. I hope that I will have the opportunity to give back and help everyone that has helped made our community great.
Leila Daniels
(No blurb).
POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVE: Advocates for student views on political issues
Connor Knights
Kia ora, I’m Connor, I am a second-year studying Law and History, minoring in Politics. I want to be your next Political Representative because I believe that OUSA needs to be prepared to stand up and fight for students and the issues that affect us like the gutting of fee frees, fighting for universal student allowances, and so much more to better student lives. I have experience in advocating and fighting for you, being a union delegate and exec member of Unions Otago, and could bring this experience into advocating for and representing you! Vote Connor #1 for Political Rep!
Thomas Brocherie
pOLiTicS iS bOrInG WRONG! Politics has seen this government launch an all-out attack on students, gutting fees-free for every future graduate. That is thousands of dollars being stolen from our pockets while we’re forced to find our way into a struggling job market. I will work tirelessly to fight against such attacks, from fees-free to tuition hikes and budget cuts. My three years as Co-Director of Make It 16 and my tenure as a Youth MP have given me invaluable experience in advocating for those who need it. And if students ever need to be stood up for, it’s now.
Lochlan Hanham
(No blurb).
RESIDENTIAL REPRESENTATIVE: Represents students’ on tenancy issues, such as residential colleges and flatting
Zoe Eckhoff
Since my awful tenancy and tribunal experience, my passion for residential advocacy has ever expanded. I’ve already made progress in rental advocacy with my flatting pamphlets, case work, community engagement and building consents knowledge, which I’ll take to the next level in 2027. My near-complete green sticker system, comprehensive flatting document that is supported by property managers to be distributed at the start of tenancies, as well as an online course for property care and legal information built on a dual-incentive model to help educate student tenants will work to seek landlord accountability and create safe, informed tenancies for all
Jacob Rush
Every flat is meant to meet Healthy Homes Standards. Ask any student in flats how that's going. I've lived in halls, I work as a Student Engagement Lead at Locals, and I've been through a dispute with my own landlord (shoutout OUSA Student Support). Right now, landlords are left to basically mark their own homework on if their flats are actually warm and dry, and too many fail. As Residential Rep, I'll push the DCC to fund independent inspections, lobby the government for a national rental Warrant of Fitness, and ensure the Residential Committee actually meets every month. Ngā Mihi.
