Student Partnerships
We'll do all that we can to ensure your uni experience is positive and you achieve success through your study. We also like to involve students in our initiatives to improve life on campus.
Lincoln University aligns with the Whiria Ngā Rau framework to partner with tauira (students) because it aligns perfectly with our value of putting students at the centre of all that we do.
Whiria Ngā Rau was developed by the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), Te Mana Ākonga, Tauira Pasifika, the National Disabled Students’ Association and supported by the Ministry of Education.
Thank you to all students who were involved and gifted us this kaupapa.
Below are ways Lincoln University partners with students to offer a truly learner-centric environment:
Students have a voice on many University committees and working groups including the Council, Ahumairaki and Academic Board.
Our student leaders also attend regular hui with the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Māori and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Student Life as an opportunity to kōrero, share ideas and raise anything that could improve the student experience.
A big part of the Lincoln experience involves nourishing our culture as a whānau. This means looking after yourself and those around you, as well as accessing our comprehensive support options when you need them.
Manaaki Tauira is an important project where we are partnering with students to focus on new ways of supporting learner success. Students representatives are included on the Manaaki Tauira project board.
One the University's first Manaaki Tauira actions was to develop a Disability Action Plan to identify gaps and opportunities to improve the disabled student experience. We partnered with dedicated tauira on a working group to establish needs and set priorities that put our students first.
Disability Action Plan
The Disability Action Plan (DAP) is an important part of the University's commitment to equity of access for all learners. The DAP focuses on creating an inclusive and accessible environment which enables disabled tauira to participate in all aspects of learning and research including cultural, social, on-campus accommodation, and extra-curricular activities.
Students are at the core of the DAP and it was developed in close consultation with tauira and staff.
The DAP’s primary objectives are to:
- Deliver equity for disabled tauira and staff through an accessible and inclusive teaching, learning, research and working environment.
- Develop an environment that celebrates and values disabled tauira and staff.
To achieve these objectives, the DAP works across six key focus areas. Each focus area has a detailed list of goals and action items, which are aligned to both the Kia Ōrite Toolkit, a code of practice designed to achieve an inclusive and equitable tertiary learning environment for disabled learners, and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
The first four focus areas are descriptive in their actions:
- Training and capacity building - To enable staff to understand and meet the needs of disabled learners.
- University of choice - To encourage all students, regardless of ability, to select Lincoln University as their university of choice.
- Accessible technology - To ensure all systems and learning material is both available and accessible to all students.
- Accessible environment - To embed the ongoing provision of an accessible environment as part of our Campus Master Plan and Campus Development.
The last two focus areas include implementation processes and measurement:
- Implementation Strategy - To demonstrate our commitment to the Disability Action Plan through timely and effective implementation.
- Monitoring and Review - To demonstrate our commitment to the Disability Action Plan through formal monitoring and evaluation of student progress.
Read more Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University Disability Action Plan 2023-2026
For questions or concerns regarding the DAP, please contact Dave Dannenberg, Director Learning, Teaching and Library.
Te Poari Wheako Tauira is a group of people passionate about continuing to enhance the student experience at Lincoln. They are committed to Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki’s values of students at our core, manaakitaka, wairuataka, whanaukataka, rakatirataka, kaitiakitaka and tohatoha.
Te Poari is co-convened by Tumuaki Te Awhioraki, LUSA President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Life. There’s diverse student representation on the board and students hold a majority voice.
Te Roopu Wheako Tauira is a group of students and staff who like to get the mahi done for anything related to student experience. They support cultural activities and report any issues up to Te Poari Wheako Tauira. There’s diverse representation on Te Roopu and any student is welcome to take part.
If this interests you, contact Wheako Tauira at experience@lincoln.ac.nz.
The Student Rep System is run by the LU Students’ Association (LUSA).
Every semester, students from each course elect at least one student to represent the group. If you are chosen to carry out this role, you'll work alongside LUSA, the faculty deans and lecturers to provide feedback and suggestions for improvements to the course experience.
To find out more, contact LUSA’s Mākai Tauira, Student Advocacy and Voice
It is important tauira have a say about their experiences, so we ensure that we gather formal feedback to help us inform student experience improvements.
Surveys include:
- Accommodation surveys
- Course evaluation surveys
- Student Experience surveys
- Student Services Fee surveys
For more information, contact LU Student Experience Manager via experience@lincoln.ac.nz.

Raise a concern
If you have a concern, complaint or grievance, there is a process to give students a voice.