AUT - Study Pasifika Education at AUT University
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Study Pasifika Education at AUT University
Pasifika children will shape tomorrow's communities. So will their teachers.
AUT recognises recognises that Pacific Islanders will and do play a significant role in New Zealand society and our economy. Attitudes are changing – more people want their children to be bilingual / multi-cultural and hold onto the values and cultures that they come from.
On this pageConcepts such as Tautai, Fonua, Ako, Poto, Tofāliuliu, Fatua'iupu, Alafua, Soālaupule and many more give a Pasifika context to educational ideas and can help the teachers to draw relevant connections between children's existing home and community-based knowledge and the ideas being taught within the educational setting.
lalaga le talanoa – weaving of ideas
The philosophy that underpins the School of Education’s Pasifika education programmes takes on the concept of lalaga le talanoa or weaving of ideas in which Pasifika knowledges and beliefs are integral rather than peripheral to study.
This philosophy emphasises a very unique way of weaving in Pasifika in which the weaving commences in the middle and then extends outwards. While the weavers lalaga (weave), everyone involved is engaged at multi levels of talanoa. Lalaga le talanoa embraces the power of lalaga as a metaphor to illustrate levels of talanoa before, during and after the weaving of ietoga (fine mat).
Related courses
- Bachelor of Education overview
- National Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education, Pasifika)
- Master of Education
Career opportunities
- Early childhood teacher
- Management of a Pasifika or other early childhood centre
- Teaching in a variety of settings in primary, intermediate, middle and area schools especially with Pasifika children
- Educational leadership
Our graduates
Camille Collins
Bachelor of Education, Pasifika Primary Teaching
Equipped for any classroom
The range of specialties offered in the Bachelor of Education was what attracted graduate Camille Collins to AUT University in the first place.The face of the classroom, in Auckland in particular, is changing and it’s more multicultural than ever but Camille's specialty in Pasifika has equipped her to take on any class.
“I have been able to use and adapt what I have learnt from my Pasifika speciality to suit all of the different cultures that my students bring with them into the classroom. I have a passion for all of the different Pacific Island cultures and the course equipped me with the best teaching and learning skills to suit their cultural needs,” Camille says.
The great thing about the specialties is that you aren’t restricted by them. Any of the specialities- Montessori, Steiner, Pasifika, Generic Primary- give you the skills you need to teach in any classroom.
“The Pasifika speciality, for example, while focused on Pasifika culture, also helps you to understand and respect the cultures of all students who make up a typical classroom. Understanding a culture like this also highlights how other cultures can be brought into your teaching and learning.”
Key staff
Pasifika staff lecture across the range of Pasifika related courses. Find out more about Pasifika staff.
More information
Because of the popularity of careers in the education sector we are seeing a large number of applications. We encourage you to talk to our Course Information team before you apply.
Course information
Phone: 0800 AUT UNI (0800 288 864)
Email: courseinfo@aut.ac.nz