He’s not a hypocrite

OUSA Postgraduate Representative (PG Rep) for 2026 Fergus Parks has put his money where his mouth is, so to speak, and is determined to make a change.

As PG Rep, Fergus’s two main objectives are advocating for better financial support for postgraduate students and improving communication with postgraduate students on Otago’s Christchurch and Wellington campuses.

“I’d like to be in contact with these students, and make sure that their queries and voices are heard,” he says.

“They may not be in Dunedin, but they are still members of OUSA.” *

If Fergus’s name sounds familiar, it could be because of the well-publicised campaign he waged against OUSA last year when then executive member Jett Groshinski unsuccessfully ran for a place on the Dunedin City Council (DCC).

Fergus considered Jett’s desire to be an elected member of two organisations simultaneously as a conflict of interest, and put up posters around campus expressing his view. His actions were covered by both Te Arohi Critic and the Otago Daily Times.

Fergus says he later realised it would have been hypocritical of him to criticise OUSA and “demand change” without doing anything to help bring about any kind of change, himself. And that is how he wound up campaigning for the role of PG Rep.

“And also simply the fact that, going into my postgrad years, I’ve been here long enough and I figured I might as well start giving back somehow,” Fergus says.

Last year’s PG Rep, Josh Stewart, is one of Fergus’s good friends and he encouraged him to run. Fergus says Josh has done “some excellent work” and he hopes to be as effective as his predecessor.

Fergus finished his Bachelor of Arts double major in History and Politics at the end of 2025 and is about to embark on his Masters in Politics.

He is passionate about Russian politics.

“Russia, during the 20^th century, honestly, is very interesting because within one century they went through virtually every form of major government,” he says.

“The impact they’ve had on the world stage can still be felt today.”

In his spare time, you might find Fergus tinkering away, restoring his 1954 Land Rover series 1.

“I will be happy to have it going.

“I have managed to get my hands on an original engine, so it will be close to original. But that’s not to say I’m not going to put a few modern conveniences like electronic ignition, radio and that sort of thing just to make my life a bit easier while driving it.”

Read about OUSA President for 2026 , Daniel Leamy, here.

-Kōrero by Koren Allpress, Internal Communications Adivser