A demonstration involving top representatives from national student unions has been held at the University of Otago.

It was lead by the presidents of the Tertiary Education Union and the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations.

They were joined by several locals, gathered at the university's registry steps opposite the Leith.

The rally began at 1pm.

It launched a national campaign for the retention of elected staff and student representatives on the country's eight university councils.

The unions want at least a third of all council seats filled by independent, democratically-elected staff and students, as opposed to members being appointed by faculty leaders.