The National Student Unit (NSU) represents the student members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO).
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.
- Actively foster student involvement in NZNO affairs at national and local level and, where appropriate, in the workplace.
- Support the objectives and the Strategic Plan of the NZNO and
- 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 NSU, like the rest of NZNO, is made up of members who vote for delegates as follows:
- NZNO regional delegates
- NSU regional delegates
- Te Runanga Tauira (TRT) delegates
- The student representatives link into the wider NZNO by attending Local Organising Group (LOGs) meetings. TRT representatives link into LOGs by having two representatives on Te Poari.
The NSU meet three times each year. This group is made up of:
- National Student Chair
- National Student Vice Chair
- Te Runanga Tauira Chair
- Te Runanga Tauira Vice Chair
- one NSU representative and
- one TRT representative from each school of nursing
Other students can attend but do not have voting rights.
The NSU committee elects:
- a Chair, can be any NZNO tauira/ student member, and is elected by the NSU committee.
- a Vice chair, also elected by the NSU members.
Te Runanga Tauira elects:
- a Chair, can be any NZNO Māori tauira member and is elected by Te Poari members.
- a Vice Chair, also elected by TRT members.
Both the TRT Chair and TRT Vice Chair become members of the Te Poari Komiti.
Role of the NSU
The role of a delegate combines opportunities with responsibilities. NZNO provides support.
Key tasks:
- get other students involved in the NZNO NSU.
- recruit new members and representatives.
- build up the profile of NZNO on campus by distributing information and
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.
Role of a Local Student Unit
Local student units are committees based in kura/ nursing schools that support the work of the representative to the NSU. These local delegates do not attend NSU committee meetings, but help disseminate information and consult with NZNO student members.
National Student Unit Logo
The redesign of the NSU logo emerged from discussions that the exisiting design did not provide a connection to NZNO, partnership and a representation of issues relating to students.
The design was reworked and a Te Runanga Tauira took the designs to Te Poari for consultation. That reflected kaupapa Maori and partnership with the NSU.
The NZNO Board of Directors and Te Poari both endorsed the logo in 2008.
The bottom koru depicts a 'putake' or 'root' that represents a solid foundation for the NSU to grow, sustain and flourish.
The upper koru depicts a 'pitau' or fern frond that represents growth sustenance and the ability to strive for higher learning.
Together the two koru combine to make the 'mangopare', or hammerhead shark design. The mangopare represents stability and direction.