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Kia ora e te whānau,
Mānawatia a Matariki!
We hope you've had a restful break and been enjoying Matariki celebrations.
A special haere mai to all those new to our University disabled community joining us this trimester. We’re excited to have you here with us. We’re also welcoming new staff and fresh opportunities as we begin this next chapter together.
In this newsletter, we’ll introduce you to the new stars on our staff team and share some recommendations to support your academic success.
Ngā mihi,
Te Amaru—Disability Services
Welcome to our new stars
Shardul Abhyankar, Team Leader—Advice and Support
We’re thrilled to welcome Shardul, our new Team Leader–Advice and Support.
Shardul is an experienced occupational therapist with a strong background in mental health and neurological rehabilitation. He joins us from Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling, where he supported students as a mental health coordinator.
With a Master in Occupational Therapy and qualifications in Health Sciences, Leadership and Management, Shardul brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to student wellbeing. He’s passionate about creating inclusive environments and supporting disabled students and diverse communities.
Punsisi Pemarathne, Accessible Assessment Coordinator
A warm welcome to Punsisi, our new Accessible Assessment Coordinator. Punsisi is here to ensure that any arrangements you’ve organised with your adviser are set up for you on the day of your tests and exams. She’s already been a key part of the central exams team, ensuring that everything ran smoothly for accessible exams last year.
With experience at Massey, NZCER, and as a lecturer and research adviser overseas, Punsisi brings a global perspective and a strong background in tech and education. She holds Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Network Engineering, and is passionate about equitable assessments for disabled students.
Our new support navigators
Following a successful pilot, we’re happy to have support navigators as a permanent addition to our team. Support navigators are here to connect with you if you're new to our service, understand your needs, and guide you to our resources within Disability Services and across the University. They will also be the key contact for some of you needing ongoing support.
Nau mai, haere mai to Petra Savitri and Heliya Zerafat who have been appointed to these roles.
Petra has joined us from Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing, where she is a student wellbeing facilitator. Petra is studying towards a Master in Health Psychology. She's passionate about young people, student wellbeing, health psychology, Māori and Pacific health, cultural safety, and disability-inclusive practice.
Heliya has worked for Te Herenga Waka as an admission and enrolment assistant, and as a student ambassador. She's studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems and Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. Heilya is passionate about quality customer service, attention to detail, great communication and respects confidentiality.
You can make an appointment with them by contacting reception.
Petra Savitri, Support Navigator
Heliya Zerafat, Support Navigator
Your student success adviser
Your student success adviser is an essential support service throughout your studies.
What do they help with?
Staying on track with your studies
Meet with them to plan the courses you need to complete your qualification. Your student success adviser can also connect you with additional services and support to help you succeed.
Changing your current courses or programme of study
If you need to change your course schedule, it's a good idea to have a chat with your Student Success Adviser. They can help you understand the administrative requirements, deadlines, and impacts of any changes you'd like to make.
Be sure to make any changes to your study plan by Friday 18 July, which is the course add/drop deadline for Trimester 2.
Tailored advice, exploring opportunities, and general questions
Your student success adviser is an expert at providing tailored information. For example, they can help you with understanding:
- The requirements and application process for StudyLink's limited full-time study status.
- Assistance such as the University’s Hardship Fund.
- Information about studying abroad, finding an internship, and discovering extracurricular activities.
- General information about University life.
If you'd like to learn more about any of these topics, find out who your student success adviser is and get in touch with them—the sooner, the better!
Get support with inclusive technology
If you’re facing technical issues accessing your course content or wanting to learn how to use Read & Write and/or Glean software which can support your everyday study tasks—Kit, our Inclusive Technology Assistant is here to help.
Here’s how you can connect with Kit:
- Book a workshop or appointment.
- Drop-in during Kit’s office hours: 2–3 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at our Kelburn campus office—no booking required.
- Email a question to inclusivesoftware@vuw.ac.nz.
- Book an appointment through reception.
Access suites at the campus libraries
The University’s libraries have a range of services and resources to support you, including access suites. Access suites are quiet places for disabled students to rest and study with ergonomic furniture, equipment, technology, and amenities that are not found in general University study spaces. When you register with Te Amaru—Disability Services, you’re automatically granted entry to our access suites using your student ID card.
You can find the access suites in our campus libraries:
- Kelburn (RB103)—past the Hub on level 1, before Louis’ Takeaway Café, you’ll find the access suite just inside the library gates.
- Pipitea (RHGO5)—the access suite is located behind the library office.
Workshops and resources
Work alongside a body double
Join a structured study group to set goals, reflect on achievements, make a study plan, and get help with accountability.
- 1–3 pm, Mondays and Fridays
- Kelburn Campus, KK001.
Supported by Te Taiako—Student Learning peer advisers.
Boost your study success
Want to improve your academic performance?
Sign up for a success workshop, run by Te Taiako Student Learning. A range of topics are covered, including:
- time management
- note taking
- revision for tests and exams
- academic writing and presentation skills
- using digital tools and AI with academic integrity
- improving your citation, referencing, and research skills.
Level up your study skills
Need 24/7 access to study tips and strategies? StudyHub on Nuku is your one-stop-shop.
It's free and it contains handouts, guides, videos, self-paced learning resources, and more.
Disabled Students' Association (DSA)
The VUW Disabled Students Association is a student-led group providing social meetups and advocacy opportunities for disabled/tangata whaikaha/deaf/neurodivergent students. We’d love to have you all involved.
From 1 pm–3 pm, every Thursday from week two during Trimester 2, the Disabled Students’ Association hosts weekly social meetups at the Hunter Lounge. The venue is accessible and NZSL interpreters will be available. Join when you can for a relaxed hangout.
For more information, follow us on Insta, TikTok, join our Discord Server, or email vuwdsa@gmail.com.
—Annabelle (She/Her) and Hope (She/Her)
Disabled Students Association representatives
Accessible route disruption—Hugh Mackenzie lifts are out of service
The lift in the Hugh Mackenzie building is undergoing maintenance. The maintenance is scheduled to lake until mid-trimester break. During this time, the lecture theatres on level one of Hugh Mackenzie will only be accessible via stairs, with the smallest number of stairs being the six steps from Murphy level 2 to Hugh Mackenzie level 1.
The alternative accessible route to Hugh Mackenzie level 2 is via Murphy level 3 or Von Zedlitz level 3.
For any questions, contact Property Services at property-services-helpdesk@vuw.ac.nz or call 0800 100 140.
To arrange support, please contact Te Amaru—Disability Services at disability@vuw.ac.nz or call 04 463 6070.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sign of the month
The sign of the month is 'Matariki' because we've been celebrating Matariki here in Aotearoa.
Student column
Do you have a helpful study tip, a way to look after your wellbeing, or a story that might lift someone’s spirits? We want to hear from you!
Send us a short submission for our student column with your practical advice or positive perspective. It could be about:
- how you manage your disability needs
- what helps you stay connected
- something that made your day better.
Submissions should be:
- uplifting, encouraging, or empowering
- focused on study, wellbeing, or campus life
- submitted as a Word document
- 250 words or less.
We’ll feature selected tips in our newsletter to support and inspire others.
📧 Send your tips to: disability@vuw.ac.nz
🗓️ You can submit anytime!
📝 Please note: submissions may be edited for clarity or length.
Dyslexic research focus group
Paul, a student with dyslexia is conducting research that explores the experiences of dyslexic students at the University as part of his Honours project in Psychology.
The study involves a one-off, in-person focus group held on the Kelburn campus, where you can share your experiences with academic staff and university support services.
You’re invited to participate if you’re:
- Are aged 18 or older
- Are currently enrolled at VUW (undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral)
- Have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia
The session will last approximately 60–90 minutes. Kai will be provided (pizza and a non-alcoholic drink).
If you’d like to take part or find out more, contact Paul at: roulstpaul@myvuw.ac.nz
Stay connected
Check out our website for useful information www.wgtn.ac.nz/disability
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