What is a Wellness Postcard?

Wellness postcards are an opportunity to collectively express our feelings and experiences working in universities.

Why now? Why this?

On the 25th of November, the University of Auckland Recreation and Wellness Centre is being opened. This is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of wellness in universities, particularly in the context of the current negotiations. While a gym is nice, making the claim that it is a solution to the wellness issues faced by staff and students is disingenuous. The real issues are the social isolation of students, balancing work and study, lack of connection across social boundaries (undergrad-postgrad-academic-professional staff), the increasing workloads, the lack of job security, and the erosion of academic freedom. These are the issues that need to be addressed if we are to truly create a culture of wellness in our universities.

What is WATU?

We Are The University is a revitalisation of a student activist group from the early 2010s. We are a new group of students and staff who have borrowed the name to affirm the identity of universities in Aotearoa as belonging to the students and staff who work and study there–countering the narratives of Vice Chancellors and centralised administrations. We are committed to the idea that universities should be places of learning, research, and critical thinking, and that they should be free from the influence of corporate interests. Universities belong to the people and should be run for the benefit of the people. Want to get involved? Email us at email@wearetheuniversity.org or try us on instagram @wearetheuniversity and blue sky @wearetheuniversity.bsky.social.

Who is the TEU – Te Hautū Kahurangi?

The Tertiary Education Union – Te Hautū Kahurangi (TEU) is the union for many staff working in tertiary education in Aotearoa New Zealand. The TEU negotiates collective agreements, securing better salaries and working conditions, as well as providing support and advice to its members. The TEU is currently negotiating collective agreements at a few universities, including the University of Auckland.