As an incorporated society, the National Disabled Students’ Association seeks to be as transparent as possible about how we function, what we do, and how we spend our money. Here you can find a range of documents relating to the NDSA.
Table of contents
Our Constitution
The National Disabled Students’ Association works off a Constitution, which could also be called our ‘rules’. We’ve had a few different Constitutions since we first started in 2021, but our most recent Constitution was unanimously agreed upon by our Members at a Special General Meeting on 4th June 2025.
There were a lot of big changes made to our most recent Constitution, and the NDSA went through a consultation period where we asked for feedback from our Members, previous Executives, stakeholders, and the public. We lodged this Constitution with the Registrar, and it can be seen by searching up the National Disabled Students’ Association on the Incorporated Societies Register.
Our Constitution (Final NDSA 2025 Constitution [document download, white background]) is available in our Google Drive, which also contains alternative formats (blue backgrounds and large print versions, along with PDF versions). We recommend downloading and viewing it in Microsoft Word for easier navigation.
Our policies
We strive to be open about how we operate. We work around several different policies in order to look out for our Executives, Members, and disabled learners across the country.
We are always seeking ways to provide more inclusive, plain language policies that are helpful and clear. We also want to make sure our policies are culturally sensitive, and work for people with a range of different life experiences. To provide feedback on one of our policies, please fill out our general enquiries form.
Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct discusses how our Executives and Members should treat each other, and how we should interact with the public. It holds our Executives accountable and makes sure we behave in a way that is empathetic, respectful, and considerate.
Our Code of Conduct (2025) was ratified (agreed upon) by the Executive 12th May 2025.
Media Policy
We often partake in events and hui that involve members of the NDSA and the public. We want to make sure we are respectful of individuals and their privacy, and get permission when posting videos and photos where possible. Our Media Policy (2025) also outlines how we respond to media requests.
Our Media Policy (2025) was ratified by the Executive 19th May 2025.
Privacy Policy
We work to prioritise the privacy and safety of individuals, and follow our obligations under the Privacy Act 2020. To make sure we keep individuals using our services safe, our Executives undergo annual training in privacy, are encouraged to complete privacy eLearning courses, and are regularly informed of our obligations under the Act.
Our Privacy Policy (2025) was ratified by the Executive 21st July 2025
Severance of Services Policy
The NDSA seeks to be inclusive and sensitive of people’s needs. However, we retain the right to decide to step away from communication to prioritise the safety of our Executives, Members, and disabled learner population.
Our Severances of Services Policy (2025) was ratified by the Executive 5th May 2025.
- Severance of Services Policy [document download, white background]
- Severance of Services Policy [PDF, white background]
Travel and Expenses Policy
An important part of our mahi is meeting with learners, institutions, and other organisations kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face). We want to make sure Executives and Members who are travelling to representing the NDSA have fair costs covered, so that they can effectively focus on supporting learners on the ground.
Our Travel and Expenses Policy (2025) was ratified by the Executive 1st September 2025.
Membership Agreements
The National Disabled Students’ Association has four types of membership, broken down into two main categories:
- Voting Members
- Representative Voting Members
- Organisational Voting Members
- Non-Voting Members
- Independent Members
- Observing Members
For more information on how our membership works, check out our NDSA structure page.
Voting Membership
Please note that every institution has one Voting Member. Before signing up as a Voting Member, please check our Members’ page and contact us to see whether there is a Voting Member for your institution. Membership is subject to the NDSA’s discretion.
- Voting Membership Agreement 2025 [document download, white background]
- Voting Membership Agreement 2025 [document download, blue background]
- Voting Membership Agreement 2025 [PDF, white background]
- Voting Membership Agreement 2025 [PDF, blue background]
Non-Voting Membership
Please check back soon for our Independent Membership Agreements! Independent Members play an essential role in the NDSA in guiding and advising us. We encourage learners interested in partaking in the NDSA to sign up as Independent Members and get to know how we function, what we do, and how you can feed back to us.
Our Observing Members are typically groups who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NDSA where they agree to become an Observing Member. These agreements often differ between Observing Members and we don’t have one set Membership Agreements for this membership type.