Elections information

What is the NDSA?

The National Disabled Students’ Association was officially established in 2021, made up of Members (disabled learners or learner groups representing tertiary institutions across Aotearoa) and an elected Executive, who help to run the NDSA. Our aim is to make sure disabled ākonga (learners) have positive, equitable experiences in education, and have the same rights as other ākonga. We help learners by:

• Working directly with tertiary institutions to help improve accessibility and ākonga experiences
• Working with government agencies such as NZQA, the Tertiary Education Commission, and Whaikaha to provide feedback and inform changes affecting disabled ākonga
• Working with local and national students’ associations to provide advice, support, and collaborate on issues affecting disabled ākonga
• Getting feedback from, and supporting our Members to help learners at the institution they represent
• Collaborating with other not-for-profit organisations towards mutual goals
• Organising events and providing information to disabled learners
• Providing advocacy directly to ākonga seeking help with navigating their institutions
• Providing an annual Learner Training Hui for our Members and representatives to teach them tools like governance, advocacy, and leadership

We’re a Member-led organisation, meaning our Members — other ākonga who represent the place where you learn — help to guide our direction, provide us with feedback, and help to make important decisions affecting the NDSA.

The positions

The NDSA currently has fiveExecutives. We’re a pretty small team! Anyone can run for any of these five positions. Alongside the responsibilities below, members of the NDSA Executive may also partake in roles such as advocacy, acting as Privacy Officer, and acting as Hauora Officer. 

As long as you identify as disabled or having a disability, and you are either currently studyingor have studied within the last two yearsof when your term starts (January 1st of the year starting after elections), you can run for a role in the NDSA!

President or Co-Presidents

The President or Co-Presidents provide shared leadership of the NDSA. They’re responsible for making sure the NDSA operates in line with its kaupapa, values, obligations to Members and relevant legislation, and represent the NDSA nationally.

Important responsibilities of the Presidentor Co-Presidentsinvolve:

• Leading the Executive in setting the vision, strategy, and direction
• Day-to-day and operational decision-making
• Providing leadership and delegation
• Acting as the public face of the Association
• Responding to media enquiries for the Association
• Providing oversight of budgets, funding, and operational accountability
• Making sure the NDSA meets its obligations under its Constitution, the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, Charities Act 2005, and other relevant legislation
• Developing and finalising policies, guidelines, procedures, and plans
• Ensuring NDSA’s activities are consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity principles
• Supporting and mentoring other Executive members in their roles
• Maintaining NDSA’s internal systems such as Google Workspace

To be a Presidentor Co-President of the NDSA, some helpful skills include:

• Leadership and governance experience, such as being a part of a local disabled students’ association
• Strategic thinking and decision-making ability
• Skilled in advocacy, negotiation, and public representation 
• An interest in learning about legislation relating to the NDSA
• A commitment to kaupapa Māori, disability rights, and equity

Engagement Officer (EO)

The Engagement Officer helps to maintain strong relationships with the NDSA’s Members, seeking feedback and providing Members with support. The Engagement Officer may also work on newsletters and social media for the NDSA. 

Important responsibilities of the Engagement Officer involve:

• Providing ongoing communication and support to Members
• Maintaining NDSA newsletters and blogs
• Helping to maintain social media presence 
• Creating and supporting events and campaigns
• Chairing Members’ Council meetings
• Collaborating with the Executive to deliver consistent, accessible content

To be the Engagement Officer of the NDSA, some helpful skills include:

• Good communication skills
• An ability to problem-solve and come up with solutions 
• Awareness of how to provide accessible communications and content
• An interest in collaboration across roles 
• A commitment to kaupapa Māori, disability rights, and equity

Relations Officer (RO)

The Relations Officer helps to build and maintain relationships with external organisations and allies of the NDSA. The RO strengthens the NDSA’s collective voice and public presence. 

Important responsibilities of the Relations Officer involve:

• Acting as an ambassador of the NDSA to external organisations and institutions
• Developing partnerships that advance the rights and participation of disabled ākonga
• Forming relationships with and communicate with local students’ associations 
• Working with the Engagement Officer to connect Members to wider networks
• Creating and supporting events and campaigns
• Seeking opportunities to spread awareness of the NDSA
• Helping with the Administration Officer and Co-Presidents in seeking funding for the NDSA

To be the Relations Officer of the NDSA, some helpful skills include:

• Good communication and networking skills
• An interest in meeting and working with new people
• An understanding of tertiary education and disability advocacy landscapes
• An interest in collaboration across roles 
• A commitment to kaupapa Māori, disability rights, and equity

Administration Officer (AO)

The Administration Officerhelps to do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work for the NDSA, maintaining our internal processes, policies, recording, and documentation. They also help make sure the NDSA is sustainable by working on funding opportunities.

Important responsibilities of the Administration Officer involve:

• Setting agendas and taking minutes for Executive Meetings and Members’ Council
• Organising and filling out funding applications
• Helping the Co-Presidents in the NDSA’s financial responsibilities 
• Helping to develop and maintain policies, guidelines, procedures, and plans
• Making sure policies and processes reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and best practice

To be the Administration Officerof the NDSA, some helpful skills include:

• Organisational and record-keeping skills
• An understanding of governance, policy, and compliance requirements
• Good attention to detail
• Good written communication skills
• Strong time management skills

Running for elections

How do we define disability? Should I apply?

Everyone views disability a bit differently, and there are several models used to describe how we might define disability. For the NDSA, we primarily use the inclusive social and human rights models; the social model looks at how society and our environment interact with disability, and the human rights model considers disability to be a natural part of human diversity, and that we deserve the same rights as every other person. 

There are often barriers in place which reduce our ability to access environments such as tertiary education, disabling individuals with different access needs, however some individuals will experience disability no matter their environment. These are in contrast to the once-dominant medical model, which describes disability by impairment, and puts the onus of change on individual people, rather than lifting barriers preventing access. However, there are a number of models used by disabled communities, and no one single model describes all experiences of disability!

In using the social and human rights models, we aim to be as inclusive as possible! Although ‘disabled’ is a proud identity for many, not everyone identifies as disabled, and that’s okay — we respect the language people want to use for themselves 😊 Additionally, some communities have different relationships around the term disabled, and prefer to use their own language. If you identify as neurodivergent (such as autistic, ADHD, or dyslexic), Deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, invisibly disabled, having physical disability, or having chronic illness — you belong here!

As long as you identify as disabled or having a disability, and you are either currently studyingor have studied within the last two yearsof when your term starts (January 1st in the year starting after elections), you can run for a role in the NDSA!

How do I nominate myself?

Every year, we’ll provide a form and email contact for nominations. You can see our 2025 nominations form here [links to a Google Doc]. When nominations are open, we ask for candidates to provide us with the following information —

1. Your name
2. Your email
3. Your biography
4. Answers to the questions in our form
5. A photo and/or video to accompany your biography
6. Consent in writing to be an Officer (see below section) 

How do I know if I would qualify?

To be eligible to run for the NDSA Executive, you’ll need to either be currently enrolled in tertiary education(such as at Te Pūkenga, wānanga, a private training establishment, or at a university), or have been enrolled within the last two (2) yearsof when your term starts. Terms start January 1st of the year after election. 

The National Disabled Students’ Association is an incorporated society, meaning we have to follow the rules of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Everyone who joins the Executive is also considered to be an Officer — that’s someone who has some power over the Association. You’ll need to make sure you aren’t disqualified from being an Officer of an incorporated society.

To be eligible for the Executive, you’ll need to fill out this consent form if you are elected in. Information such as your email address and answers to the consent form will be held securely following our Privacy Policy.

Who votes in the elections?

The NDSA is broken down into two main types of membership — Voting Members and Non-Voting Members. Every tertiary institution (such as Te Pūkenga, wānanga, private training establishments, industry training organisations, and universities) are entitled to one vote. Representatives of these institutions vote on behalf of disabled ākonga at that institute, and should make sure their vote is in the best interests of their learner community. Representatives may be groups of learners, such as a disabled students’ association, or individuals where there isn’t a voting group.

Our Non-Voting Members — Independent Members and Observing Members — still have an important role to play in the NDSA. These Members can attend meetings, give feedback, and are involved in communications provided by the NDSA. They guide our way forward, and we try to ensure their voices are included and heard in the kōrero. 

When will I know if I’m successful?

You can come join us at our Annual General Meeting, which is typically held in November each year. There, our Returning Officer will announce election results.

We will also announce results to our website and social media once they’re finalised. 

Are these roles paid?

Our Executive are paid a small honorarium for their time, however much of the work they do is voluntary. As we rely on external grants and funding, our income relies on the generosity of those who share our values and want to work towards our kaupapa. We are aiming to seek further funding for 2026 to make sure Executive incomes reflect the time and effort put in by our team — if you feel you can help us work towards this goal, feel free to contact us!

All Executives are paid fortnightly at an hourly rate of $23.65 pre-tax. Co-Presidents each receive eight hours per week, and all other Officers receive four hours per week remuneration for their mahi.

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) typically takes place in November, where we present our annual reports and make important decisions around the NDSA. Decisions made at our AGM are put out to Voting Members to decide on two weeksbefore the meeting. This gives our Members lots of time to consider the types of decisions being made, whether they agree, and consult with anyone they need to. At our AGM —

• The NDSA will provide our Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year
• Our Executives talk about what they’ve achieved this year, and what their future goals are for next year’s NDSA team
• Our Voting Members will put in any final votes deciding on whether they accept the above reports, and any other decisions important to the NDSA
• We’ll announce the next year’s National Disabled Students’ Association Executive team

Anyone can attend our Annual General Meeting — we especially encourage attending if you’re running as a candidate for our incoming Executive!

Our AGM takes place via Zoom, and all are welcome to attend. We have procedures laid out about how General Meetings take place, which you can read about in our Constitution.