Student Wellbeing Outcomes Framework

Find out about the University's plan to enhance student wellbeing and safety, learn about the project team, and let us know what you think.

Project aim

The aim of the Student Wellbeing Outcomes Framework project is to create a framework that enables all students to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment that supports their wellbeing and safety.

Defining 'wellbeing'

We are using the following working definition of wellbeing as the basis for our Student Wellbeing Outcomes Framework:

“Wellbeing is a state of subjective equilibrium in which we have the psychological, social, and physical resources we need to nurture Mauriora (cultural and spiritual identity), Waiora (physical environment), Toiora (healthy lifestyles), Taha Whānau (family health), and Te Oranga (participation in society), and as a result, lead fulfilling lives with Ngā Manukura (leadership) and Te Mana Whakahaere (autonomy)."

At Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, this means that we actively address the diverse needs of our community and cultivate a culture and environment that enables all students to thrive, and to achieve in their academic and personal potential.

How you can contribute

We value ideas from staff and students about how we can enhance wellbeing at the University.

If you're staff or a student and didn't have a chance to complete the survey, you can still share your thoughts by emailing wellbeingframework@vuw.ac.nz.

Share your views

Our approach

In developing the Student Wellbeing Outcomes Framework the project team will honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, follow a culture of respectful and valued engagement, and foster equitable, diverse, and inclusive practice.

We are bringing together existing wellbeing information—data from student and staff surveys, advice from students on direction and priorities for action, and advice from expert advisers, lived experience advisers, Māori advisers, and staff—and complementing this with wellbeing research, best practice, and focus groups with key student leadership groups to further explore student views.

The project team will keep students and staff connected and informed during the development of the Framework. Our project manager regularly reports to the Pastoral Care Code Oversight Group, which monitors and reviews progress.

The Framework draft document will be sent to the University community for final consultation. The final step will be approval by the Senior Leadership team. This project is part of the 2022 Student Agreement between student representatives and the University.

The project team is mindful of the interconnectedness of staff and student wellbeing and that many staff are also students. While the Student Wellbeing Outcomes Framework is focused on student wellbeing, Human Resources will soon commence leading a dedicated project to produce a staff wellbeing framework.