Help Us Save Craccum!

Page Contents:
  1. Craccum Open Letter, which AUSA has yet to address or issue a response to
  2. Full Craccum SGM proposal with both Motion 1 (Independence) and the alternative option to choose from that AUSA doesn't want you to know about, Motion 2 (Constitutional Reform)

1 | Here is our open letter:

Kia ora koutou katoa,

Craccum magazine has been the voice of Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland’s students since 1927. Today, that voice is under threat. Funding cuts, censorship, and unpaid labour are putting our magazine—and the representation, opportunity, and perspective it carries—at risk.

We are calling on all students, clubs, associations, publications, alumni, and the wider community to stand with us. This isn’t just about a magazine—it’s about freedom of student expression, transparency in decision-making, and the right to be heard.

By signing our open letter, you are saying:

  1. Student voices matter—they deserve fair funding and a seat at the table where decisions are made.
  2. Editorial independence is essential—students must decide what their magazine publishes, free from interference.
  3. Craccum is worth protecting—without it, the University loses a taonga vital for accountability, culture, and creative expression on campus.

If you care about student democracy, media diversity, and independent journalism, this is your chance to make a stand. The signatories below are issuing a demand to Te Rōpū Kahikatea – Auckland University Students' Association and Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland for the following:

  1. Restore fair funding: Abandon the proposed budget cuts and reinstate Craccum Magazine’s funding in 2026 to pre-2025 levels (at least $150k), enabling its return as a weekly print publication. This commitment must be made in writing by AUSA and UOA to all current and future students.
  2. Restore the Te Ao Māori Editor and Pasifika Editor as paid staff positions for 2026 and beyond, honouring Te Rōpū Kahikatea’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equitable representation in student media.
  3. Protect editorial freedom: Immediately repeal the 2024 changes to Part VIII Section 45 (“Editorial Independence”) of the AUSA constitution. A version of the pre-2024 clause should be reinstated: “The Editor(s) of Craccum shall have complete editorial independence to produce, procure and authorise the inclusion of any content in any issue of Craccum Magazine that they deem fit, insofar as it is consistent with these Rules.”
  4. Financial Independence: the establishment of a bank account for Craccum to arrange its own advertising revenue to supplement funding for operational expenses.

Ngā mihi nui,

Craccum Magazine

2 | Here is the full SGM proposal

To: AUSA (Auckland University Students’ Association) Secretary David Fulton

From: Concerned Members of AUSA

We, the undersigned members of the Auckland University Students' Association (AUSA), are calling a Special General Meeting (SGM) to discuss the motion to establish Craccum Magazine as an independent incorporated society.

An SGM is necessary for this motion because the Annual General Meeting has already passed, and Craccum will begin publication in 2026 before the next Annual General Meeting.

The proposed motions are as follows:

  1. Motion for AUSA to permit and endorse the establishment of Craccum Magazine as an incorporated society with complete independence from AUSA and recognise this as the official magazine of Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland in perpetuity, or until a time when Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society) is disestablished.
  2. AUSA will assist Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society) in the establishment of a new contract and direct relationship with Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland for the receipt of funds allocated by the Student Levy for the publication of Craccum Magazine as a weekly print magazine. AUSA will advise Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland to direct the funding outlined in the Student Levy for the weekly print publication of Craccum Magazine to be redirected to Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society) in quarterly instalments. Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society) will provide Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland with quarterly financial reports to ensure responsible spending of funding.
  3. AUSA will cede any claims or rights to the assets and intellectual property of Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society), including but not limited to the website, equipment, emails, media content, digital and print issues, as well as past, present and future publications and content made by Craccum Magazine. These rights will be handed over to Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society) by Monday, 17 November 2025. AUSA recognises Craccum as owned by Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland students as a collective, with the elected executive of Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society) as kaitiaki/guardians.
  4. AUSA will continue to arrange the provisioning of Craccum with an office space somewhere on the city campus. The office should be lockable, with sufficient storage space and seating capabilities similar to the current office in 311-445.
  5. If passed, it would be understood by all parties that Craccum Magazine has a deadline of Monday, 17 November 2025 to establish itself as an incorporated society, set up a constitution, hold an AGM, elect a 2026 executive team and create a bank account. After this date, the 2026 executive would be recognised as having all authority over Craccum Magazine. AUSA and Craccum Magazine’s relationship will be formally managed by an MoU, which will be signed between representatives of AUSA and Craccum Magazine (incorporated society). From the date of incorporation until the signing of the MoU (Deadline 2 March 2026), AUSA will direct all funding marked prior for Craccum Magazine to the Society. The finer details of the transition, such as staff wages, can be arranged in this MoU. 
  6. This motion (1) will also grant the future Editor-in-Chief, as President(s) of Craccum Magazine (Incorporated Society), a right to attend and report on the proceedings of all Student Council meetings. 
  7. In the alternative, a set of motions under this second motion (2) is proposed to increase Craccum Magazine’s independence and autonomy from AUSA within the current AUSA constitution (2024):
    1. Amendment to Clause 43 - Provision of Craccum as follows:

43 Provision of Craccum Magazine

  • (1) The Association shall guarantee a minimum annual budget of no less than $150,000, including all allocated funding provided by Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, to support Craccum as a weekly print publication, releasing throughout Semesters One and Two of every academic year.
  • (2) All funding allocated for Craccum must be used exclusively to employ University of Auckland students and support operations related to the magazine’s publication. Leftover funds may be rolled over to the following year. The Craccum Advisory Board must make annual budget allocation decisions.
  • (3) Craccum shall have the right to secure its advertising and maintain a dedicated bank account administered jointly by the Editor(s)-in-chief and the Association Treasurer.
  • (4) Quarterly financial reports concerning Craccum’s independent account shall be submitted to the Craccum Advisory Board. Craccum must also be allotted time of no less than 10 minutes to report on its activities. The report must be made by the Managing Editor. In the event that the Managing Editor is not available, it must be made by the Editor(s)-In-Chief. 
  • (5) Craccum is not the official magazine of AUSA. It is an independent, student-owned publication serving all University of Auckland students.
  • (6) The Editor-in-Chief or Co-Editors-in-Chief of Craccum shall be elected annually by student vote during the AUSA executive elections in the same process outlined in Part V. Up to three candidates can run for joint Co-Editorship of the magazine.
    • (a) Candidates for Editor(s)-in-Chief must have contributed to or worked for Craccum and provide evidence of at least six contributions (visual/written) to the magazine in the past twelve months upon nomination. If there are fewer than two candidates by the end of the nomination period, the deadline shall be extended, and nominees without prior experience with Craccum will be accepted. 
    • (c) The candidate(s) receiving the most votes shall assume office for a 12-month term beginning January 1st of the following year, or as soon as possible in the case of a by-election.
    • (d) Editors may stand for re-election.
  • (7) Removal of Editors requires a majority vote at a Special General Meeting called explicitly for a no-confidence motion. The Editor(s)-in-chief must be given two weeks' notice of such an SGM and be allowed to give an address at the meeting.
  • (8) All Editors and Craccum staff must be part-time or full-time students at the University of Auckland. Craccum staff cannot hold AUSA staff positions or be a member of the Executive during their tenure.
  • (9) At least 9 students must be hired to comprise the core of Craccum’s paid staff, including the following roles. Public notice must be given for the hiring of staff of no less than two weeks. The Editor(s)-in-chief will be responsible for hiring decisions for magazine’s paid staff as follows:
    • (a) Managing Editor: coordinates on campus events promoting Craccum as well as advertising, contributions and third-party outreach.
    • (b) Digital Manager: manages Craccum’s website and overall digital presence, including software, emails and accounts
    • (c) Visual Arts Editor: illustrates content for the magazine and coordinates visual arts contributions
    • (d) News Editor: primary reporter for the magazine and coordinates news contributions
    • (e) Te Ao Māori Editor: coordinates Craccum’s coverage of Te Ao Māori, honouring the magazine’s commitment to te Tiriti O Waitangi.
    • (f) Pasifika Editor: coordinates Craccum’s coverage of Pasifika Perspectives to ensure equitable representation.
    • (g) Social Media Publicist: creates or converts Craccum’s articles and content into social media posts.
    • (h) Designer: responsible for the layout of articles in the print magazine.
    • (j) Paid Intern/s: Craccum shall be allotted 8 hours of minimum wage labour (before tax) for 24 weeks which can be allocated as the Editor(s)-in-chief see fit to hire paid interns to assist with the production of the magazine.
    • (k) Should any of the staff resign before their 24 week contract expires with more than 4 weeks left of publication in that year, their job will be reoffered for a contact of the duration of the remaining weeks.
  1. Amendment to Clause 44 - Craccum Advisory Board as follows:

44 Craccum Advisory Board

(1) The Craccum Advisory Board (CAB) shall provide editorial advice when solicited by the (Co-)Editor(s) and manage any formal complaints lodged against Craccum Magazine.

(2) CAB Membership shall consist of:

(a) Engagement Vice-President (Chair)

(b) Association Secretary or designated SLT member

(c) One independent journalism/media expert

(d) One University of Auckland academic staff member with communications, design or media expertise

(e) Current Editor(s)-in-chief of Craccum

(f) Previous Editor(s)-in-chief of Craccum

(3) Only listed members may vote or attend meetings. Others may only attend with the consent of the current Craccum Editor(s)-in-chief. No interim members may fill CAB roles; they must be replaced before the next meeting.

(4) CAB meetings and decisions require a quorum of four voting members to be present, with a majority vote in favour.

(5) CAB meeting minutes must be kept and released publicly upon request.

(6) CAB regulates its procedures, with all resolutions noted and governed by natural justice.

(7) Members cease membership under current eligibility/disqualification conditions:

(a)  they die;

(b) They submit a letter of resignation to the Association Secretary; in the case of being a member appointed for a term, they finish their term and are not reappointed by way of Executive Resolution.

(c) they become a mentally disordered person within the meaning of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992; they are convicted of any criminal offence involving fraud or dishonesty;

(d) they become subject to a property order made under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988;

(e) They are removed by the Executive, by way of a Resolution carried by majority, on the basis that they have deceived or misled the Association and the Craccum Administration Board or have abused their powers of office; 

(f) In the case of a member appointed under rule 44 (2) (c), they cease to be working in the fields of journalism, publication, or content creation;

(g) In the case of a member appointed under rule 44 (2) (d), they cease to be employed by the University as an academic specialising generally in journalism, communications, or media studies. 

(h) Two years have passed since their initial appointment. They must be re-appointed or a new member must be appointed.

  1. Amendment to Clause 45 - Editorial Independence as follows:

45 Editorial Independence

(1) Editors of Craccum maintain full editorial autonomy, including the right to publish critical content about AUSA or any other individual/organisation.

(2) AUSA must provide written invitations to Editors for all meetings discussing Craccum with at least two weeks' notice - including Student Council, Executive meetings, and Advisory Board meetings.

(3) Proposals to alter Craccum’s operating budget, as outlined in Clause 43, must be made in consultation with the Editors and approved at an AGM or SGM by student vote. 

(4) Craccum’s Editors (current and/or incoming) must be present in ALL discussions pertaining to Craccum’s operational budget allocations. Failure to implement this/to provide proper consultation in good faith makes the choices made by the AUSA Executive (regarding Craccum’s operating Budget) invalid.

(5) Craccum’s Editor(s)-in-chief are invited to attend and report on all Student Council proceedings and will be given proper notice of all meetings.