22 October 2025 Living our values to support students in need

At Lincoln University, our values of manaakitaka (hospitality) and whanaukataka (community) guide how we care for our students. Our core commitment is to our students, and that includes actively supporting those who face unexpected and challenging circumstances.

While students plan carefully for their financial needs, life can bring unforeseen circumstances and challenges during their studies. For this reason, Lincoln University offers essential support services, including our emergency campus foodbank, which provides students experiencing temporary hardship with essential food and hygiene items.

This initiative is a collaborative effort between Lincoln University Chaplaincy Services and Wheako Tauira | Student Experience. In the true spirit of whanaukataka, the foodbank invites the entire University whānau - staff, alumni and students - to contribute by donating non-perishable food and personal care items.

The impact of this collective generosity was especially evident during the 2025 Together We Nourish campaign, where staff and student donations played a vital role in restocking the shelves in support of our tauira.

Janelle Blythe, Manager of Student Experience, says Lincoln University is committed to a holistic approach to supporting students.

“Alongside food parcels and care packages tailored to the needs of a tauira experiencing sudden hardship, we also offer wraparound support depending on their circumstances.

“Thank you to everyone who donated during the recent foodbank campaign. With the current cost of living, we know it’s not easy to give — your generosity is deeply appreciated.”

Support for our students extends beyond the foodbank. The Lincoln University Students’ Association (LUSA) offers a Financial Assistance Fund for eligible students facing unforeseen financial difficulties and hosts events throughout the year that provide free food. Confidential support is also offered across a range of areas, including academic, financial or personal.

Additionally, Te Awhioraki Māori Students' Association provides support for Māori students. Welfare funds are available to eligible students of any ethnicity who are experiencing financial hardship, assisting with accommodation, medical or counselling expenses, and other unexpected costs.