The University of Auckland Debating Society, established in 1887, is the oldest university debating society in New Zealand. With over 500 paid and registered members in 2010, we’re also the largest non-faculty aligned student society on campus.

In fact (and not to brag) the Society is also the oldest student club at the University of Auckland – we even precede the formation of the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) established in 1891.

What we do:

• We hold ‘general debate nights’ every week that any paid up member can attend. Any member who wishes to participate in a debate that night is able to (and will be judged by one of our senior members). Alternatively members are welcome to just come along and watch some of the more competitive debates.
• Sometimes these club nights are run as ongoing tournaments. Even when this is the case, we will always cater for ‘drop in members’ who can only make along from time to time.
• We organizing public debates on topical issues featuring speakers from the Society, the university and the community. Most recently we held a Diversity Debate on religious vilification featuring the Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.
• We attend 4 national debating tournaments (more information on these are available via the tournaments section of the website) as well as a number of  international debating tournaments.
• We help organize, coach and judge debating at a secondary school level. See the ASD website for further details.
  

  Debating. It's what we do.

• We host a number of social events, starting with our infamous “opening night function” and including comedy debates, a pub quiz, a mid-year BYO dinner and a women’s Tea Party.
• Obviously we also offer debating training too – in our weekly coaching sessions or through the documents on our website.

So join us:

Membership is only $5 per year and members are not obligated to attend any weeks they are busy. Become a part of the largest, oldest and most respected club on campus today and let us help you learn, debate and have a good time. To join, just fill out the form here.

If you have any other questions you need answered feel free to get in touch with us