Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE OUSA BULL-PEN OFFICE ON THURSDAY 14 AUGUST 2025 AT 1.01PM
PRESENT
Liam White (Chair), Daniel Leamy, Amy Whyman, Stella Lynch, Ibuki Nishida, Jett Groshinski, Deborah Huang, Callum Hadlow and Porourangi Templeton- Reedy
IN ATTENDANCE
Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Minute Secretary), Francisco Hernandez (Greens Dunedin-based MP), Jomana Moharram (Greens Dunedin-based Youth MP), Nina Brown (Critic Editor), Griffyn Blockley (Critic News Editor) and Hanna Varrs (Critic Features Editor)
APOLOGIES
Porourangi Templeton-Reddy, Joshua Stewart, Amy Martin and Seluvaia Ratoul
Moved from the Chair
368/25 THAT the above apologies be accepted.
CARRIED U
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING
Moved from the Chair
369/25 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 7 August 2025 be accepted as a true and accurate record.
CARRIED U
NEXT EXECUTIVE MEETING
Owing to a Student General Meeting being called the next Executive meeting will now be held on Tuesday 19 August at 9am.
SPEAKING RIGHTS
Moved from the Chair
370/25 THAT Debbie Downs, Donna Jones, Francisco Hernandez, Jomana Moharram, Nina Brown, Hanna Varrs and Griffyn Blockley be granted speaking rights for the duration of this meeting.
CARRIED U
GUESTS:
Francisco and Jomana were invited to address the meeting to speak their letter on the executive’s decision to ‘abandon’ the position to support the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Movement.
They expressed that the student body had spoken with the results (53.3% yes, 31.5% no.) of the Referendum held and OUSA should do the rights thing, especially as this was done without consultation or notice. There is no expectation that OUSA shift immediately on the BDS campaign affecting funding and sponsorship.
Daniel as the Finance, Strategy and Expenditure Officer asked what implications this would have on OUSA’s already struggling finances going forward.
We should work with the groups at Otago and consider talking to VUWSA who have implemented a process. There was clarification requested on what list OUSA should be using as there are many online.
Francisco and Jomana were thanked for their attendance.
Moved from the Chair
371/25 THAT the letter from MP Francisco Hernandez regarding BDS dated 6 August 2025 be received.
CARRIED U
STRICT COMMITTEE
Moved from the Chair
372/25 THAT the meeting move into Strict Committee for reasons of confidentiality at 1.21pm.
CARRIED U
Porourangi Templeton-Reddy arrived at 2.13pm
Moved from the Chair
373/25 THAT the meeting move out of Strict Committee at 2.14pm.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
374/25 THAT Jett Groshinski be removed from the Finance, Strategy and Expenditure Committee (FESC).
Groshinski: Abstained
CARRIED U
ATSA UPDATE
Tabled.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGS WITH OUSA
The MoU processes are being looked at currently.
Porourangi left at 2.19pm.
ACTION ON PALESTINE
As attached. There was a review of the decision with a statement at the last executive meeting.
Moved from the Chair
375/25 THAT Motion 342/25 be rescinded.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
376/25 THAT OUSA stand by 147 members of the United Nations General Assembly and recognise Palestinian Statehood in support of a two-state solution, in line with the Oslo Accords.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
377/25 THAT OUSA call on all members of the New Zealand Parliament to recognise Palestinian statehood.
CARRIED U
Moved from the Chair
378/25 THAT the OUSA Executive commit to both publicly supporting Chloe Swarbrick’s “Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill,” and call for other student associations across the motu to do the same.
CARRIED U
Callum left at 2.26pm
Before this statement is released it is to be shown to the entire executive first.
Other ways we could support the action in Palestine could be to hold a fundraiser it was suggested.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Callum’s review –
Callum’s honorarium was paused for a month pending a review. There hasn’t been a huge change in hours and work being recorded.
Moved from the Chair
379/25 THAT Callum Hadlow’s honorarium continue to be decreased by 50% until the third quarter reporting period due 15 September 2025.
CARRIED U
Graduation ceremonies –
Amy M and Stella are sitting on the stage for both ceremonies.
Parading will be Amy M, Stella and Daniel so far.
Igloo/Cage – housing campaign – it is still planned to begin on 25 August. Reviewing weather forecast. Documentation still to be completed.
Meeting closed at 2.37pm
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: _________