Be a Tētēkura

Applications open for 2026, Monday 15 September

This unique opportunity offers you the chance to invest your passion for sustainability into designing and creating positive changes on campus.  

You get to be part of a hands on team working towards the Sustainability Development Goals and the Sustainability Strategic Framework for the University.  All while supporting the engagement and marketing of our office to increase visibility.  

In all, you will get to collaboratively design a series of sustainability focused experiences on campus ensuring progress is endorsed and supported by our student community. These include events, relationships, campaigns, awareness and project ideas.   

The Role

  • As a Student Lead, Tētēkura, you will be a working as part of the Sustainability Office team to support and improve the University’s culture of sustainability.

  • The role requires a level of challenging the norm and thinking outside the box, alongside working collaboratively with the team.

    Roles will complete 8 hours each week (as lectures run) - this is paid mahi.

The Work

  • As a Student Lead, tētēkura, you will support the planning, coordination, and promote sustainable progress across campus.

  • You can also expect to implement and facilitate engagement activities that support and nurture a University-wide culture of sustainability among staff and students.

The Scope

  • You will get to collaborate with key individuals and groups across campus and in the wider community.

  • Mahi you might get involved in includes:

    Social Media | Te Oraka | Events | Podcast | Gardens & Neighbourhood | Ideas & Collabs

roles available

Te Oraka Roles

To start February 2026

  • You’ll be the right hand to the Operations Lead, helping Te Oraka thrive day to day.

    From keeping our store tidy and welcoming, to supporting volunteers, you’ll play a key role in the smooth running of our space. You’ll also bring creativity to the table, crafting content for Instagram and TikTok, from reels and stories to photography!

  • Up to 8 hours each week paid at living wage rate.

  • Love bringing people together? In this role, you’ll dream up and deliver Te Oraka’s Social Club events, from creative ideas to smooth logistics.

    You’ll craft engaging comms, keep Fairtrade at the heart of what we do, and rally volunteers and teammates to make each event a success. It’s all about creating welcoming, meaningful experiences that connect our community and celebrate Te Oraka’s vibe.

  • Up to 8 hours each week paid at living wage rate.

Toitū te Taiao Roles

To start February 2026 as part of the Sustainability Office

  • Keen to get people moving in greener ways? In this role, you’ll spark student interest in sustainable transport through creative peer-to-peer initiatives, advocacy, and fun games that make walking, biking, busing, and ride-sharing exciting.

    You’ll collaborate with the wider sustainability team while driving your own ideas to get more students choosing low-carbon ways to travel. It’s all about making sustainable transport easy, engaging, and part of everyday campus life.

  • Up to 8 hours each week paid at living wage rate.

  • Passionate about campus reducing it’s environmental impact? In this role, you’ll take the lead on tackling bin contamination, designing engaging peer-to-peer initiatives, and creating fun games that get students thinking differently about waste.

    You’ll be part of a bigger sustainability team while also driving your own ideas to spark action. It’s all about making waste minimisation practical, playful, and something everyone wants to be part of.

  • Up to 8 hours each week paid at living wage rate.

Keen to apply? Applications require a video submission and Cover Letter - information on how to apply and due dates will be available when applications open Monday 15 September 2025.

The team

The Sustainability Office is made up of a small team that are driven to create positive changes on campus and being courageous enough to do so. We work across departments, with other courageous leaders to deliver sustainable progress and encourage others to consider how sustainability connects to their work and/or study.  


We give a damn about papatūānuku (mother earth) and will continue to challenge the norm, support great ideas, work with others and create awareness around all things sustainability.