APSAA Aotearoa Update

Jacob Waitere Chair, Aotearoa Advisory Group; APSAA Vice-President; General Manager, Canterbury, UniLodge

Aotearoa Update

Kia Ora Koutou Katoa

Can you believe it! We are two thirds of the way through the year. Pastoral care and knowing our students are well has been the key theme dominating universities and accommodation providers in New Zealand. Not only is this a response to the Code of Practice for the pastoral care for tertiary and international learners, but also in response to a society that is changing because of the pandemic.

The impact of two years of lockdown on our new students has been felt in the academic and social responses from our new students. As the first semester/trimester results start to roll in, universities across the country are reporting that academic performance has dropped. Students reporting that they felt unprepared for tertiary self-directed study, online exams, and the pressure of performing following special considerations and grade bumps previously. We also have seen an increase in mental health concerns, social anxiety, and delayed transition into independence as students didn’t have the traditional interactions in their final years of high school. All of these point to some rocky years as we support students in developing resilience and skills they need to be self-sufficient adults.

With an eye on the future, this journal is focusing on the theme of sustainability. This is an area tertiary education providers and accommodation have focused on for a long time with some success. The whakataukī “Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata. Haere whakamua” – Care of land, care for people. Go forward! Comes to mind. In our context we can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our research, teaching, engagement, and operations. When we look at The Impact Rankings for 2022, seven of the eight New Zealand universities featured in the top 85, with Auckland and Canterbury in the top 50. Waipapa Taumata Rau - The University of Auckland is also part of the United Nations Academic Impact, an initiative that aims to align tertiary institutions to contribute to realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, by being a hub for SDG 4 Quality Education.

In 2019, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington translated the UN SDGs into Te Reo Māori. “The act of translating the SDGs affords a contextual lens through which we can navigate our progression to a more sustainable future together as New Zealanders,” says Tonya Sweet, Senior Lecturer in Design for Social Innovation at the University’s School of Design.

Operationally we have seen accommodation providers implement a number of initiatives to support a more equitable and sustainable future. These initiatives have included:

• Green teams of student voice groups to lead developments and communication • Landfill diversion through donations and recycling • Worms to support food waste diversion form landfill • Tree planting • Donating to charities instead of buying wasteful prizes • New policies and procedures • Focusing on indigenous practices • Education in online inductions and RA meetings • Communication campaigns • Water flow restrictors and timers in showers

• Lighting, heating, and building upgrades • And much more!

With an eye on the future, this journal is focusing on the theme of sustainability. This is an area tertiary education providers and accommodation have focused on for a long time with some success.

Finally, we welcome all of our members to join us in Ōtautahi | Christchurch for the APSAA Aotearoa Summit. Held on the 6th of December, with a half day study tour the day before on the 5th, this is an excellent opportunity to reconnect in person, see some new accommodation developments and share knowledge. Registrations will be open until late November, with accommodation provided on campus too. Check your emails for more information.

Mauri ora, Jacob Waitere | Vice-President & NZ rep

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