Massey is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for our ākonga and kaimahi. We work hard to make sure Massey is a welcoming place for everyone. We were awarded both the Partners Life Supreme and Simpson Grier Impact prizes at the Rainbow Excellence Awards in 2024!
Here at Massey we provide:
- Rainbow Tick training for kaimahi
- ongoing advocacy and encouragement for positive and inclusive change
- staff who are encouraged to use gender-inclusive language
- growing connections between internal and external rainbow groups/services
- all-gender bathrooms and identity-based gendered bathrooms on each campus.
Upcoming rainbow events
Rainbow
When we say 'rainbow', we’re referring to all people of minority sexualities, genders and diverse sex characteristics. This includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and asexual.
Takatāpui
‘Takatāpui’ refers to people who identify both as Māori and with the rainbow umbrella (LGBTQIA+). For many takatāpui people, sexuality, gender and sex characteristics are inherited from their ancestors. Identifying as takatāpui rather than queer, for example, is a way to recognise a person’s sexual and gender identity alongside their whakapapa (ancestry) and position within society as Māori.
Community
At Massey, you can get involved with a number of opportunities and find like-minded students and staff.
Kāhui Irarau
E Koekoe te kōkō, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū.
The tūī squawks, the kākā chatters, the kererū coos.
Connecting rainbow and takatāpui communities at Massey University, Kāhui Irarau is a social platform at Massey currently available via Facebook and Instagram.
‘Kāhui’ refers to a grouping, such as a flock or gathering, while ‘irarau’ refers to one’s life principle, and more recently, to a gene and the gender of a person. Kāhui Irarau draws on the whakatukī (proverb) above, which alludes to the idea that just like the birds of Aotearoa, humans also have individualistic traits.
Kāhui Irarau was gifted its name by Massey PhD candidate Ngawiki-Aroha Rewita, Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu and Te Whakatōhea through support and discussion with Associate Professor Hone Morris and Diversity & Inclusion Advisor Connor McLeod.
UniQ
UniQ is a rainbow and takatāpui diversity group that operates on each campus. It is run by and for queer students (and allies). Join in for social meet-ups and events, and receive advice, advocacy, and support. You can check out what your local UniQ group is up to and how to contact them via your student association, Te Tira Ahu Pae.
RĀTĀ Group
The Rainbow and Takatāpui Advisory Group is made up by student and staff members committed to rainbow and takatāpui community development here at Massey. The Group meets monthly, and expressions of interest and inquiries can be sent to rainbow@massey.ac.nz.
Rainbow rooms
Each Massey campus hosts a rainbow room facilitated by Massey's student association, Te Tira Ahu Pae, to provide safe spaces for our rainbow students to connect, study and relax. All rooms come equipped with comfortable seating, desks for studying and rainbow-specific resources.
Auckland campus
- Located in room SC1.06, Student Central.
- Includes a kitchenette and television.
Manawatū Campus
- Located in room 2.21, Level 2, Student Services Building.
- Includes a community wardrobe and balcony.
Wellington Campus
- Located directly off Co-Lab, Level C, Block 9.
- Includes a queer literature shelf and shared clothing rack.
Support and advocacy
Some people are exploring their identities for the first time at uni. If you feel unsure about your identity or are getting unhelpful or unwanted reactions when expressing who you are, it can help to talk to other people with similar experiences.
Rainbow student representatives
Four part-time rainbow student representatives are here at Massey to engage with their respective communities.
Ōtehā | Auckland
rainbowrep.akl@tetiraahupae.ac.nz
Manawatū | Palmerston North
rainbowrep.pn@tetiraahupae.ac.nz
Pukeahu | Wellington
rainbowrep.wlg@tetiraahupae.ac.nz
Distance
Rainbow wellbeing advisor
Massey has a rainbow wellbeing advisor available to help you navigate services such as health and counselling, provide general guidance and support you through your studies. You can contact the advisor via studentcare@massey.ac.nz.
Students' association
Massey’s students' association Te Tira Ahu Pae is independent of the university and is run by students, for students. Get in touch for free and confidential support.
Student advocate
Professional student or welfare advocates offer practical advice and support in any area that affects your welfare and wellbeing. This includes harassment and discrimination on campus from staff or other students.
Transitioning gender
If you’re transitioning gender, or thinking about it, we want to support you as much as we can.
Students are welcome to update their student records, or take some leave. You may want to talk with staff you're in contact with about changing your gender pronouns or your transition. For example, so a lecturer doesn't use the wrong name.
The University also offers financial support for things like procuring new legal name documents. You can apply for this under our Emergency Financial Support Grant.
Studying while transitioning can be hard. We also offer a free professional counselling service for students who may want it.
University services and policies
Everyone at Massey needs to feel comfortable being themselves.
Diversity and inclusion advisor
If you have any questions about rainbow advocacy and policy, or are keen to get more involved with rainbow and takatāpui initiatives at the University, you can contact the diversity and inclusion advisor via rainbow@massey.ac.nz.
Get help if you're being harassed
You have the right to live free of harassment and to be treated with dignity and respect. If you're harassed by anyone for being yourself, we'll support you.
Counselling services
Massey offers free professional counselling and mental health services to students. You can talk to registered counsellors about anything, including identity and sexuality. Counselling is confidential and you decide what to share and with whom.
Rainbow Tick
Massey University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome rainbow staff and have had Rainbow Tick certification since 2017 with this last updated in 2022. We offer rainbow modules as a part of staff diversity and inclusion training.
All-gender toilet facilities
We have facilities for all genders on Massey campuses. All gender-neutral toilets have:
- signs saying ‘Toilet / Wharepaku’
- one stall or room with a lockable door.
Auckland campus
East Precinct:
- Library, level 2, room 30.
- Mathematical Sciences Building, level 2, room 27.
- Sir Neil Waters Lecture Theatres extension, College of Health, Level 3.
Albany Village: Level 1, room 30.
Manawatū campus
- Library: ground level, main stairwell next to the lift.
- Student Centre: level 2, the same side as the students' association.
- Wildbase: levels 2 and 3.
- Geography: level 2.
- Ecology: Orchard Road entrance.
- Registry: outside the lobby.
Wellington campus
Block 5:
- Level D, room 2a.
- Level E, room 29.
- Level F, room 2.
Block 6:
- Level B, room 10.
- Level C, room 9a.
Block 9: Level G.
SSG: Room 2.
Block 12: Level C, room 4.
Other resources
Visit the websites of these national diversity organisations for all kinds of friendship, fun, advocacy, support and practical help especially for rainbow students and young people.
Many of these national organisations have local centres you can visit in person and they list local organisations on their websites.
RainbowYOUTH
A charity working with queer, gender-diverse, takatāpui and intersex youth, their friends, whānau and wider communities. RainbowYOUTH provides services, resources and advocacy across the country for young people aged between 13 to 27.
I'm Local
RainbowYOUTH runs the I'm Local project to support and connect queer and gender-diverse youth all over Aotearoa New Zealand.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa
Gender Minorities Aotearoa offers information, advocacy, and wraparound support for transgender people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. It is run by and for transgender people, including non-binary, intersex and takatāpui gender-diverse people.
Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand
Intersex Youth Aotearoa is a campaign that runs alongside Intersex Trust Aotearoa NZ to provide information and connect and support intersex young people and their whānau.
Naming New Zealand
Resources to help transgender, gender-diverse and intersex youth update their identity documents to correctly reflect their sex and gender.
OutLine Aotearoa
A free phone service for LGBTIQ+ people and friends. Talk to a member of the LGBTIQ+ community who’s trained to listen and answer your questions.
Burnett Foundation
The Burnett Foundation is working towards an Aotearoa with zero HIV transmissions where people living with or affected by HIV flourish. They offer free HIV testing.
