Māori student association finally achieves equal pay after years of advocacy

Both presidents together after the recent acceptance of pay equality between Te Akatoki and the UCSA. Pierce Crowley, 25 (left), Anna Pohatu, 22 (right).

University of Canterbury’s Māori student association Te Akatoki have finally been given the same pay as their UCSA counterparts.

The proposal from the UCSA is “signed, sealed and delivered” said UCSA president Pierce Crowley. With the change in pay having already come into effect.

Pay equality between the two associations has been an ongoing topic of discussion, after it was found in 2021 that the Te Akatoki representative on the UCSA board, was paid $3600 less per year than general exec members. 

Crowley explained the importance of the pay parity, saying, “In terms of the relationship between Te Akatoki and the UCSA this is just affirming a commitment to the relationship and that its just in its beginning.”

Te Akatoki Tumuaki Anna Pohatu, spoke on the ability Te Akatoki now have to start and expand their relationships with others within the university. “We are quite isolated over at the whare… its quite hard for us to make those connections” she said.

“The UCSA has been a great step into that.”

Pay for Te Akatoki will now be completely the same, with Crowley and Pohatu receiving the same wages, as well as their vice-presidents and general exec respectively.

“Once pay is recognised that allows for people to dedicate more time, it allows for growth, it just allows for more,” said Crowley. “It’s just a reflection that their roles are equivalent.”

Graphic A: Number of Māori students enrolled at the University of Canterbury at the end of December (2019-2022), and their percentage out of all domestic students.

Māori voice has become more vital than ever within the university, with Māori student numbers and enrolments increasing steadily over the past four year's, shown in UC’s 2022 annual report.

Pohatu explained how important it is to have Te Akatoki in the university space, and how it reassures students that they have a voice at decision making tables.

“It gives the UCSA a breather because they have someone that has the knowledge, the cultural competency and the confidence to able to advocate for Māori.”

Crowley acknowledged the vital role of a Māori voice, “we are changing as an organisation” he said, “I think for me as president I’m in a position where I can be a voice for everyone, but I don’t have the lived experience of a Māori student or a Pasifika student.”

“That voice needs to be at the table and always needs to be there.”

Former Te Akatoki Tumuaki Rosa Hibbert-Schooner, who quit in 2021 due to the pay inequality, spoke on the progress that has been made.

She acknowledged how much better the relationship between the UCSA and Te Akatoki now is, “100% percent” she said, “that whole year we didn’t get a whole lot of give back from the exec that we should do things together.”

“It’s been way better recently, especially this year for them.”

Regardless of the work that is yet to be done, Te Akatoki and the UCSA have set the benchmark for other universities.

Pohatu explained how other association presidents have been getting in touch with her on how to move forward with their student associations.

“We showed that if we can do it in Christchurch... then they can do it anywhere.”