OUSA President Liam White is committed to ensuring that both OUSA and the University support students to become the best version of themselves during their time at Otago.
New Otago University Students' Association president Liam White will draw on all his experiences from his time at Otago to help support students this year, he says.
“I’ve lived in a hall, in Uni flats, I’ve been a sub-warden at Carrington College and I was on the OUSA exec as the Political rep last year. I know just how much students struggle, be it financially, physically or mentally.
“So, as I take on this role, I do so from a position of appreciation for the lessons I've learned but also recognising that so many members of our community are having it tough.”
Being on the executive is like being a sub-warden but on a larger scale, he says.
“A sub-warden is a lot like a lighthouse and the president role is like this too. Keeping students away from the rocks and helping them have the best student experience they can.”
If he could give tauira any advice, it would be to aim for a healthy study/life balance.
“Being a student is already challenging and there are masses of expectations. I would say, remember you are more than your grades. Make the most of the time – throw a frisbee around. Kick a ball. Especially in your first year.”
Liam is currently finishing his Masters in International Studies after completing a BA in Politics last year. He’s grown a lot since he started at Otago in 2020, he says.
“Some lessons were certainly tougher than others, but I'm definitely not the same person I was when I first enrolled. Our University community is great at not only developing future leaders and scholars but also fostering conscious, kind individuals.
“I'm committed to ensure that both OUSA and the University support students to be the best version of themselves when they leave Dunedin.”
“There’s a famous quote about planting trees that you’ll never sit in the shade of. I think that’s a good approach to have. A lot of people want to make their mark, but students are the priority, not just yourself.”
Liam’s main goals for the year are to showcase what OUSA can do through concerted and meaningful student advocacy.
“For me, 2025 is all about demonstrating our impact, restoring hope in the student community and proving that we, the student body, can make a positive difference.
“I want to push for the exec to be active and engaged in our community – to be around, to be successful and efficient, for students to know our faces and names, and know we’re just an email away.”
Not every task they undertake will be instantly beneficial, he says.
“There’s a famous quote about planting trees that you’ll never sit in the shade of. I think that’s a good approach to have. A lot of people want to make their mark, but students are the priority, not just yourself.”
When it comes to policy, Liam’s main priorities for 2025 are seeking to address the quality of student flats by advocating for a rental warrant of fitness and enhancing student awareness about flatting.
“Part of this goal includes the most robust assessment of Dunedin's student flats since the 1990s to demonstrate just how poor the housing stock is in North Dunedin.
“And personally, I'd love to bring back the common student lunch hours to campus, so every student and staff would have from 12-1pm off. We could host events and have music, which I think would be a cool initiative.”
Liam expects to learn a lot in the role and to face a mix of opportunities and challenges.
“I think it's fair to say that the best part of the job is the amazing people you get to meet, support and deliver meaningful projects with. So, I'm excited by the lessons and skills I can learn, but also the memories I will build alongside great people.
“I predict the biggest challenge is going to be balancing my goals with whatever surprises come up, while making sure I catch some sleep.”
– Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser Laura Hewson
Meet your OUSA student executive
Amy Martin
Amy Martin
Administrative Vice President
adminvp@ousa.org.nz
Amy is in the fourth year of a BA and BCom majoring in psychology and management.
“I wanted to be on the exec because I thought it would be a great opportunity to get more involved in the University community and I wanted the ability to help students have their voices heard."
Increasing student engagement is one of her major goals.
“I know that this is quite cliché but I feel like it’s really important for students to understand what OUSA is and does as an association and how we can help them at the University.”
Daniel Leamy
Daniel Leamy
Finance and Strategy Officer
finance@ousa.org.nz
Daniel is in the fourth year of a BCom with a double major in finance and accounting. He was elected to the executive in a by-election last July and is returning to the role of Finance and Strategy officer this year.
“Pretty much I watch the money and push campaigns that support students. There are so many opportunities to improve student life, and I’m excited to play a part in creating initiatives that will benefit tauira.
“With so many great ideas for what could be done this year, prioritising what we believe to be the most important for students will be our biggest challenge.”
Amy Whyman
Amy Whyman
Welfare and Equity Representative
welfare@ousa.org.nz
Amy is in the fifth year of an Bachelor of Laws and a BA in music and economics. She brings her experience in supporting students as a sub-warden to her new role and sees it as a chance to elicit positive change on a more collective level.
“I'm really looking forward to making sure the student support systems in place at Otago hold students' wellbeing at the centre.
“I hope to continue the amazing work Tara Shepherd [2024 Welfare and Equity Representative] has done in making a robust platform for all the different student representation groups to have their voices heard throughout the University.”
Deborah Huang
Deborah Huang
Clubs and Societies Representative
clubsrep@ousa.org.nz
Deborah is in her fifth year, studying law and economics.
Being the Clubs & Societies rep is a chance to give back to the “passionate community” that has been a big part of her life at Otago, she says.
“I’d like to promote clubs to a wider range of people, make it easier for clubs to access grants and resources, and help them navigate the various administrative requirements of running a club.
“Most of all though, I want to hear from clubs what they want. So don't hesitate to get in touch.”
Ibuki Nishida
Ibuki Nishida
International Students’ Representative
international@ousa.org.nz
Ibuki – who is in his fourth year studying a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics – is originally from Japan and lived in the US before moving to Aotearoa, making him well placed to understand the challenges international students at Otago are facing.
This is his second year in the role. He enjoyed it so much he decided he wasn't quite ready to leave yet, he says.
“I'd love to see through the implementation of the lecture recordings policy that has been in the works for a while, and I'd also love to get us to the point where we can have two International Food Fests in a year.
“This is a role where I can give back something valuable to an environment that has given me so much during my time here. I truly love being a student here, and I want to work to make sure that everyone else feels the same.”
Jett Groshinski
Jett Groshinski
Political Representative
political@ousa.org.nz
Jett is in his fourth year and is working toward a BA and BCom majoring in philosophy, politics, economics and finance.
“As Politics Rep, my role involves representing student interests in political matters, advocating for policy changes, and ensuring student voices are heard.”
Jett is especially interested in key student issues such as housing and rental rights.
“Students deserve fair and safe living conditions. I’m most looking forward to working with others who share a commitment to improving student welfare and tackling housing issues.
“The opportunity to influence positive changes and support students in tangible ways is something I’m really passionate about.”
Also on the executive are:
Porourangi Templeton-Reedy & Ngātiki Taylor
Tumuaki Takirua
teroopu.maori@otago.ac.nz
Read more
Seluvaia Ratoul
President of University of Otago Pacific Islands Students' Association
uopisa.president@gmail.com
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Stella Lynch
Academic Representative
academic@ousa.org.nz
Josh Stewart
Postgraduate Students' Representative
postgrad@ousa.org.nz
Callum Hadlow
Residential Representative
residential@ousa.org.nz
The 2025 OUSA Executive
Check out the OUSA executive page for contact details, minutes for meetings, and all the inside info on how the executive works.
Find out more