AUSA Election Candidate Interviews: Women's Rights Officer

Craccum interviews Eva Kristen, Eva Liu, and Nancy Zeng on their campaigns for Women's Rights Officer.

Note: All candidates running for this role were contacted for an interview. Nabiha Monwar did not respond.

Question 1. How would you describe yourself in 5 words?

Eva K: Passionate, compassionate, determined, curious, outspoken.

Eva L: Empathetic, collaborative, solution‑focused, inclusive, proactive.

Nancy: Whimsical, Enthusiastic, Dedicated, Communicative, Light-hearted

Question 2. Which of your ideas/initiatives are you most excited to implement next year?

Eva K: I definitely have a personal bias towards my Connected Wāhine initiative. As an extroverted person myself, I know how much friendships and connections with others can impact day to day success, but I have also experienced how hard it can be to make meaningful relationships with others when university is such a stressful and often isolating time. Women's clubs, societies, and events play such a key role in founding these connections, which is why I would love to support the ongoing collaboration, networking, and inclusive events that take place both on and off campus throughout the year. I’d also strive to create more opportunities for women from different parts of the university to connect and meet one another, rather than having groups operate completely separately. For me, this initiative is less about reaching specific targets, and more about creating a supportive and uplifting environment for all wāhine to feel included in and as though they have their own community rooting for their success.

Eva L: I am most excited to build consistent, accessible peer‑support programming alongside targeted awareness campaigns for gender‑based harm on campus. Many students do not know where to turn for safe, student-led support, and existing resources can feel disconnected from everyday student life. I want to host regular drop‑in sessions, collaborative workshops and informational zines, making gender‑safety resources visible for all marginalised genders. I also aim to strengthen cross‑club partnerships so gender equity work is not only limited to formal office hours, but embedded within student communities across faculties. This work will centre student lived experience, ensuring initiatives respond to what students actually need, rather than top‑down assumptions. 

Nancy: I have a lot of initiatives and ideas drafted and planned, so it's hard to pick exactly which ones I'm the most passionate about ahahaha. However, if I had to pick, I would definitely say anything surrounding womenspace, and my ideas around social and Quality of Life initiatives, as I believe they'll have relatively strong impacts on women's experience on campus. These initiatives include (but are not exclusive to) Thrifted goods to decorate womenspace, Friendship blind dates, Improving the stock of menstrual products on campus, and online social outlets to keep students updated and well-informed on happenings regarding everything women on campus :) 

For me, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the satisfaction experienced by others based on my personal merit. However, as I engaged with the online university community for feedback, I realised I didn't fully consider initiatives surrounding sexual assault and harrassment on campus, and with further drafting, I believe hosting events throughout the year that bring awareness to avenues women on campus can turn to in regards to sexual assault and harassment, and what women on campus can do in the moment are crucial for safety and empowerment

Question 3. Womenspace is located in the quad, which is being demolished, meaning that Womenspace is going to be relocated. How would you make the new location welcoming and a safe space?

Eva K: As sad as it is to say goodbye to the old Womenspace, I see this as an amazing

opportunity to redesign and revamp such an important yet undervitalised initiative.

The vast majority of peers I’ve mentioned the space to actually had no idea the area

even existed, and although its privacy has its benefits, ultimately if it's so out of the

way that it's practically unknown then it fails to support a large number of individuals

that may wish to have a safe place. I would want Womenspace to feel warm, inviting, and accessible. That means creating an environment where women from all backgrounds can equally share a space that supports their hauora - whether they wish to have a doze on a comfy chair in between lectures, grind out the final words of an essay, or form new friendships over a cup of coffee. There is no point designing a space for others without reflecting their direct desires, therefore the women of UoA need to have their voices heard on their wants and needs. I’d love to work alongside our diverse network of women on campus to ensure everyone feels safe, valued, and represented. Womenspace needs to be revived into a community, not just a physical room.

Eva L: Relocation brings both disruption and an opportunity to re‑imagine Womenspace. First, I will run meaningful student consultation to gather feedback on location preferences, layout, facilities and what safety means for different users. The new space needs clear, visible signage, comfortable seating, private quiet corners and practical facilities. I will prioritise ongoing community guidelines co‑created with users, alongside regular check‑ins to address concerns quickly. I would also host open house events when the new space opens, to encourage students to visit, give feedback and build ownership of the space. Safety is not only physical; it means centring intersectional voices so all marginalised genders feel respected and seen when they step inside. 

Nancy: I plan to take to the ground running, adding furnishings and decorations to the area to accompany several couch spaces, if there's room to accomodate a pantry area, a shared kitchen situation would definitely be nice :) To make a place a safe space, it's important to ensure the environment makes people feel at home, so simple things such as cozy blankets and cushions, beanbags, decorated walls full of collective memories and works, and an open office with resources are all crucial to bringing life into womenspace. 

Question 4. The WRO is also key in putting together KATE magazine, which shares women’s voices and stories. Do you have any ideas/vision about what you’d want KATE to be like in 2027?

Eva K: The one thing I would absolutely love for the 2027 edition of the KATE magazine to

focus on is genuine representation of women at UoA - instead of a publication about

women, it would be a publication from women. Women make up approximately 55-56% of UoA’s entire student body, across incredibly diverse expertise with varying back stories. An issue that echoes the voices of often overlooked or disregarded members of our community and wider society would be an incredible addition to the rack. I equally love the idea that submission doesn't have to be in one singular formal layout, but rather could reflect the creative processes of the individual. Perhaps that means poetry, fine art, words of activism, or curated academic essays - all forms of mediums reflect the intellectual variety of our university, an environment that can often feel large and impersonal. The 2027 KATE edition will be something that students are not only excited to get their hands on, but also something they feel personally proud to have contributed to.

Eva L: My vision for KATE 2027 is an intersectional, accessible student platform that amplifies under‑heard voices beyond only traditional article formats. I want KATE to feature personal narratives, art, poetry, opinion pieces and student interviews, prioritising voices of rainbow women, migrant women, disabled women and women from different cultural backgrounds. I hope to lower barriers for contribution: simple open‑call submissions, guidance for new writers, and both digital and physical distribution so more students can engage. KATE should not only cover hardship; it should also celebrate joy, community and student achievement. It will remain student‑led, so content reflects what our campus women actually want to read, rather than narrow editorial expectations. 

Nancy: KATE should be the essence of our student body on campus, they should be raw and unfiltered recollections and lived experiences of how it's like to be a woman on campus. My visions for KATE in 2027 mostly revolve around how easy it will be to encourage women on campus to engage and contribute to the magazine, with a mix of light-hearted and serious topics covered. I think provided prompts provided for women to answer for the next issue of KATE magazines would be a good idea to share women's voices and stories :)

Question 5. Why should students care about AUSA elections?

Eva K: Just because you don’t necessarily see the day to day work of what AUSA produces, it certainly does not mean the work is unaccounted for. The decisions made within AUSA house affect students’ everyday lives at university, whether that is visible or

not. Having someone that has your best interest at heart, and has likely personally lived

through similar experiences and challenges you have faced acts as a vital advocate

for you and your success in future endeavours. Having people like that serving you

both on the field and behind closed doors changes your university experience for the

better. I also think elections are an opportunity for students to decide what kind of student association they want. If students care about particular issues - whether that’s wider representation for minority groups, accessibility, cost of living, individual or collective rights, sustainability or student wellbeing - voting is one way of saying that those issues matter. And hey - it’s good practice for the coming NZ General Election!

Eva L: AUSA elections decide who advocates for your student experience on campus. The elected officers shape campus spaces, support services, events and student advocacy around wellbeing, safety, equity and accessibility. Many issues that directly affect daily student life from campus space changes, gender safety support, to student representation with university management are driven by AUSA representatives. Voting lets you choose people who will listen to your concerns and push for tangible change. If students do not engage, marginalised student voices risk being overlooked. Your vote helps ensure student needs are taken seriously, and holds representatives accountable for the promises they make. Even if you have never engaged with student politics before, these elections directly impact your time at university. 

Nancy: Students should care about AUSA elections because electing the right people can directly affect the quality of their experience on campus. A lot of work goes into the behind-the-scenes of uni life on campus, which is why a lot can go unseen, but it all plays into a bigger picture.

Question 6. Would you increase Craccum’s funding in 2027 to at least $120k? (Yes/No). If you were in the executive this year, why was the budget decreased to the lowest it’s ever been in recent years?

Eva K: Um… hell yeah!! Independent student journalism plays such a pivotal role on campus. Craccum provides students with a reputable platform to share their experiences, stay up-to-date on relevant student issues, and scrutinise the prevalence of backpacks on desks in Kate Edgar (seriously… please stop doing this). If elected, I would 1000% back Craccum and ensure it has the resources to continue the hard mahi it reproduces to create high-quality, accessible, and student-led journalism while maintaining appropriate editorial independence. As I wasn’t a part of the executive team that made the ruling to reduce the budget, it would be inappropriate for me to speculate on the given reasons, but regardless I would love to understand the financial considerations behind the decision and try my hardest to find a workable and transparent solution.

Eva L: Yes. I was not part of this year’s executive, so I cannot speak to the reasoning behind this year’s budget decision.

Nancy: Yes, I absolutely would be a part of the team that increases Craccum's funding in 2027 to at least $120k. I was not an executive member this year, so I cannot speak on the happenings in regards to budgeting, but I believe it is incredibly important to have united social hubs from uni students for uni students that keep them updated on exactly what's happening about our uni, completely uncensored and transparent.  

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