Charlotte Lawrence Elected VUWSA President for 2027
Charlotte Lawrence has been elected VUWSA President for 2027, beating Ethan Rogacion and Skyla Ashford with a landslide 59.18% of the vote.
The results were announced on Thursday 24 September at the VUWSA Annual General Meeting, following three and a half days of voting across Te Herenga Waka.
During the campaign, Lawrence centred her pitch on helping students thrive, promising to make life cheaper for students, build student political power and create a greater sense of community at Te Herenga Waka.
The President will be joined by Aría Lal, elected Academic Vice President; and Pyper Adams, elected Welfare Vice President.
Elsewhere on the Executive, Cam Dickson was elected Treasurer-Secretary, Leonora Vejlebo was elected Campaigns Officer, Emily Robinson was elected Clubs & Activities Officer and Katie Townsend was elected Equity Officer.
For the roles of Engagement Vice President, Sustainability Officer, Education Officer and Postgraduate Officer the result was more complicated. Sophie Guerin won the election for both Engagement Vice President and Sustainability Officer roles whereas Afra Ibnat was elected for both Education Officer and Postgraduate Officer.
As per the VUWSA Executive Election Policy, executive members may only hold one role. Therefore, Guerin and Ibnat both chose the role they wished to occupy and the second-highest polling candidate for the other position was considered elected to that position.
For the final result, Sophie Guerin was formally appointed as Engagement Vice President, Afra Ibnat was elected as Postgraduate Officer.
Which meant that second-highest polling candidates Frankie “the Lorax” Hutchance and James Noordermeer were appointed to the roles of Sustainability Officer and Education Officer respectively.
A total of 2,291 students voted in this year’s election, equivalent to around 11% of the University’s student population. That is up from the 2,065 students who voted last year.
The incoming Executive will take office on 1 January and serve through 2027.
Its members will inherit ongoing debates over whether VUWSA is underfunded, whether control of clubs belongs with VUWSA or the University, and how to run a reception that’s actually open when students want to visit it.
