AUT values
Three values are at the heart of everything AUT does: pono, tika and aroha. They ground us in truth and guide how we act with integrity, responsibility and care.
These are more than aspirational statements. They're the foundation our university is built on. Together they shape how we learn and teach, how we research, how we make decisions, and how we treat one another – students, staff, partners and communities alike.
What are the AUT values?
Our values – pono, tika and aroha – work together, each one shaping how the others are expressed.
Pono
Fact, truth, reality, integrity
Pono anchors us in honesty and transparency. It encourages us to seek clarity, acknowledge multiple perspectives, and act with authenticity in our interactions and decision-making. Aroha helps us navigate this space, shaping how we hold truth with care and respect for others.
Tika
Appropriate action, doing what is needed
Tika responds to pono and guides us to act in ways that are fair, thoughtful and responsible. It’s about doing what is right in each situation, taking into account the context and the impact on others. Aroha helps us consider the consequences of our actions, ensuring they are mana-enhancing.
Aroha
Empathy, care, compassion, passion
Aroha shapes how pono and tika are expressed in practice. It reminds us that how we act matters as much as what we do, encouraging care, respect and connection in our relationships. It also reflects a commitment to our kaupapa and to one another, strengthening dignity, belonging and the way we show up for our communities.
No one value works alone. Together, they define how AUT operates as a community.
More than words: what the values look like at AUT
Our values come to life through everyday actions. You see them in how a lecturer makes time for students outside of class hours. You see them in how a research team approaches a community partnership. You see them when a colleague speaks up when something isn't right.
They guide:
- How we work together as colleagues and collaborators
- How we support and empower our students to succeed
- How we build genuine partnerships with communities and industry
- How we pursue knowledge and innovation that benefits Aotearoa and beyond
Values grounded in Te Tiriti
AUT's values are woven into our commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. That commitment is expressed through Te Aronui, AUT's Te Tiriti framework – a living framework that holds us all to giving life to Te Tiriti in our everyday work. Here, tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti work alongside one another to build relationships, make decisions and create equitable opportunities for our people and communities.