Auckland University's Student Association is holding firm on giving minority students designated spaces.

A sign outside a campus study area - now removed - read: “This is a designated area for Māori and Pasifika students”.

ACT Party spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar called it reminiscent of an ugly past New Zealand's left behind.

Association president Alan Shaker says they are absolutely necessary.

"We've got a women's space, a queer space, we've got a lot of tuākana spaces, we've got a Muslim prayer spaces- and this is no different from that."

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