Carla Jeffrey - Massey University.

Tēnā tatou katoa,

I am honoured to put forward my nomination for the role of Tāngata Māori Women’s Vice President for the National Women’s Committee in the Tertiary Education Union. I bring a strong commitment to kaupapa Māori, equity, and collective action, along with experience at both branch and national levels of the union.

I’ve previously been active at the branch level, supporting members, contributing to local discussions, and helping strengthen engagement and participation. This has given me a solid understanding of the challenges our members face and the importance of having strong, connected representation.

At the national level, I previously held the the role of Te Tumu Awhina, in support of the then Māori Vice President. This built my experience in governance, strategy, and working across the wider union. I’ve consistently advocated for Māori perspectives to be present and valued, and I’m confident working collaboratively to influence outcomes.

I’m passionate about supporting and advancing all wāhine in the tertiary sector. For me, this includes advocating for fair and inclusive workplaces, with a strong focus on pay equity and addressing the additional barriers faced by Māori and Pacific staff. It also means supporting leadership pathways and ensuring Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments are reflected in meaningful and practical ways across our union.

I bring a practical, relationship-focused approach, and I’m committed to building connections, supporting others, and contributing positively to the union’s direction. If elected, I’d focus on strengthening engagement with Māori women across branches and helping grow our future leaders.

It would be a privilege to take on this role and continue contributing to the strength of our union and our members.

Ngā manaakitanga