National Student Unit Objectives, Structure and Role

The National Student Unit is part of the NZNO structure.  Its objectives are:

• To protect, promote, further, and enhance the interests of nursing/midwifery students at international, national and local levels, including their professional, industrial, social, cultural, economic and political standing.
• To actively foster student involvement in NZNO affairs at national and local level and, where appropriate, in the workplace.
• To support the objectives and the Strategic Plan of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.
• To act as a resource body in conjunction with National Office providing advice and information to students where appropriate.

Where does the National Student Unit fit into NZNO?

The National Student Unit, like the rest of NZNO, is made up of members who vote for delegates as follows:

• NZNO delegate
• Tauira Aronui delegate (Te Runanga student body).

The student representatives link into the wider NZNO by attending regional council meetings. Te Tauira Aronui representatives link into regional councils by having four representatives on Te Runanga National Komiti.

The National Student Unit meets three times each year. This group is made up of:

• National Student Unit chairperson
• one representative from each polytechnic or university 
• three representatives from Tauira Aronui (two with voting rights, one as an observer).

Other students can attend but do not have voting rights.

This group elects:

• a chairperson (this can be any NZNO student member and is elected by the National Student Unit members).
  The National Student Unit chairperson becomes a member of the NZNO Board of Directors and represents students' interests.
• a vice chairperson (is elected by the National Student Unit members)

Role of the National Student Unit

The role of delegate combines opportunities with responsibilities.  NZNO provides support.

Key tasks:

• get other students involved in the NZNO student unit
• recruit new members and representatives
• build up the profile of NZNO on campus by distributing information

Things that may impact on a delegate's effectiveness include how NZNO is seen by other students and staff, delegate workload and their personal circumstances.