The UAU is a new union which will provide strong representation for university academic staff, within their organisations and beyond. The UAU celebrates the connection between thriving universities and a flourishing society. It will be a strong advocate for proper funding of the university sector and will help governments, funders and wider society understand what university academic staff do and why it matters.

The UAU will also advocate for good pay and conditions for university academic staff. This means pay rises which, as a minimum, keep pace with inflation. It also means conditions that support academics to do their work well, including for early-career employees who may be on precarious, fixed-term contracts.

Although it has scope to expand, the UAU is currently operating exclusively at Victoria University of Wellington-Te Herenga Waka (VUW). The UAU will expand to a national organisation if branches are started at other universities in Aotearoa New Zealand.