Rally moves to Matariki, students escorted out by security and police

PHOTO: By Ella Sage (Canta)

Today, students occupied the lobby of UC’s Matariki building, awaiting a response from Vice Chancellor Cheryl de la Rey surrounding questions over the univeristy’s reported armaments investments.

The rally began in Undercroft at 12pm and was organised by SJP (Student Justice for Palestine).

Police were called, and reportedly told students they could be trespassed, removed and were inciting violence, a source from within the lobby said.

SJP have claimed the university has more than $300,000 invested in armaments, contradicting assurances made to the group in 2024.

SJP said in an Instagram post this infromation came from a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) report released by the university, but that it was unable to access or share the reoprt with Canta at this stage.

Canta is yet to confirm these details, and is actively seeking more information.

Student Joseph Bray told Canta: “We want to know how that came to be, how are we assured that there'd be no armaments bought with our tuition and now we've got $300,000 worth?” 

While the students aimed to speak with de la Rey, Canta was told by those involved that the Vice Chancellor may not have been in the building at the time, however this is yet to be confirmed.

The group said they would have also accepted a phone call.

Bray also told Canta they were disgusted with treatment from UC Security.

“We’re in here not breaking any laws, yet students have had police called on them… there’s no legal issue, but student wellbeing is being ignored by UC security.” 

UCSA President Luc MacKay arrived to the Matariki building and was let in by security. Bray expressed the groups concerns over security and wellbeing, and also asked MacKay to “take a stand.”

MacKay said: “I can’t tell you anything right now … I represent the students and to do that I need all the information.” 

“I am not justifying anything. I am simply saying I need to talk to the executive, to get everyone’s decision as a whole so we can definitively say as a group – this is the UCSA’s position.”  

Canta observed students being esorted out of the building by security with the presence of police at around 4:00pm.

At this time, Canta has requested an interview with UC Vice Chancellor Cheryl de la Rey. It has also requested responses from UC Security and UCSA President Luc MacKay, however the deadline for these responses has not yet passed.

It is Canta’s intention to publish updated coverage as more information and responses are recieved.

Security staff on site declined to comment.

We are actively investigating this matter, and ask anyone with further information to please contact editor@canta.co.nz