"Kia ora! My name is Joe Hughes and I am on the Events team for 2026. I'm going into my fourth year of Mechanical Engineering.

I grew up on the gorgeous Kāpiti Coast, just north of Wellington but now happily call Canterbury home. You'll usually find me out in the hills, skiing, tramping, climbing or running.

As a young man growing up in NZ, I have been surrounded by friends, classmates and co-workers who have struggled to get the mental health support they need. The mahi Lads does in the UC student community is invaluable to the wellbeing of our generation. When the opportunity came up to join the team for 2026, I couldn't say no! I'm super hyped to be a part of such a great initiative that makes a real difference in peoples' lives.

He aha te mea nui o teo ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people."