Interview with Shae Hardy | UOA Council Student Rep Candidate

University Council Student Rep Elections are on NOW! Vote here! Elections close at 12 pm on Tuesday, 14 October. Check out interviews with some of the other candidates on our website. More on the elections can be found here.

What are you studying at UOA? What’s been your most rewarding and most challenging paper, and what did you learn from each?

I am currently in my second year of my LLB/BSc, majoring in Marine Science. My most challenging paper has probably been my criminal law paper. When I started studying criminal law, I was hesitant, as I was unsure what the course would be about, and I wasn't particularly interested in the subject. However, the paper has taught me that sometimes we're going to have to do things we don't want to do, and sometimes those things are more rewarding than we think. My most rewarding course was Biosci 109. I was never particularly good at biology in high school, and it was a mandatory course for my major, so I really had to put myself out there. I gained an incredibly strong sense of achievement from persevering through challenges.

Will you remain enrolled and available to serve the full two-year term?

Yes, I will be enrolled at the university until the middle of 2029 due to the nature of my degree.

What should a University’s role be in providing for students' academic and cultural pursuits?

I think universities are responsible for learning. I think that learning should not be limited to STEM subjects or specific majors. I think universities should be opportunities for people to learn in all capacities and in all different ways. Academic pursuits are incredibly important; it's the fundamentals of a university, and I think that it is incredibly important that universities provide as much support as possible. Aotearoa is an incredibly diverse country, and that should be reflected in our education. Hosting workshops or running events around cultural celebrations from around the world is incredibly important not only to educate our domestic students on international cultures but also to educate our international students on domestic culture. Therefore, I think that universities should prioritise both the academic pursuits of students and encourage cultural pursuits through events, both active and passive, but also allow those events to be student-run.

Have you reviewed UOA’s 2026 CSSF budget? Are there any changes you would advocate for?

I have read through the CSSF budget for 2026, and I would personally advocate for increased funding for media. The 2026 proposal appears to have significantly reduced the media budget, even though media is one of the primary ways students stay connected and engaged with the University community. Student-led media, such as Craccum and faculty journals, play a vital role in ensuring transparency, amplifying student voices, and building a sense of community across campuses.

If elected, how will you stay visible, accessible, and responsive?

If elected, my social media account will remain accessible and public with an open contact policy for students to contact me if they have any issues. I would also like to work with AUSA to have a pop-up every 2 weeks, where students can come speak with me or set up a submissions box where they can submit feedback about the university.

How do you stay up-to-date with everything that’s going on at the University?

I make sure that I keep on top of the current social media posts and the proposed university expansions and policies. I keep on top of university news and university announcements.

Which University Council committee would you most want to follow closely?

If elected as the student representative, I will also be a member of the Finance Committee, Honours Committee, and Student Appeals Committee. Of these, the one that interests me the most is the student appeals committee and the finance committee. I would follow the appeals committee the most closely to ensure that students appealing prior misconduct are treated fairly and unbiased, and to ensure that there is appropriate and realistic student advocacy on the committee.

In 50 words or fewer, what makes you stand out?

Because I care, I did not run for Council Representative for myself; I did it because I want to be able to help, and I believe that I am more than capable, that I can stand for student interests without needing to compromise on the important issues.