Māori at AUT

Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – AUT plays a critical role in shaping Aotearoa New Zealand, and has undergone a transformational journey towards aligning with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In this section you can see stories of our staff and students at AUT, and discover the positive impact our work is making across Aotearoa.

News from AUT’s Māori whānau

The flap over DEI: woke, or just awake?

Business

Ella Henry says she is happy to be called “woke”, because it means she is wide awake, aware of efforts to increase social injustice and racial disha...

AUT builds on the success of Te Aronui Framework

AUT has built upon the success of its groundbreaking Te Aronui framework with the appointment of Professor Meihana Durie in a new role, Te Toi Aronui.

Auspicious start to inaugural law course

Law

Dean of AUT Law School, Ahorangi Professor Khylee Quince welcomed nearly 300 students to the first lecture on tikanga Māori and Aotearoa NZ’s legal system...

AUT celebrates 2025 UniPrep graduates

AUT’s South Campus was one of celebration recently as 206 school leavers graduated from the University’s UniPrep programme.

Meet some of our Māori students

Monique Oyagawa

Ngāi Tahu, Samoan, Japanese, European

There have been many pinch-me moments since she joined Remix Magazine in 2021 as part of her AUT business workplace experience, says Monique Oyagawa.

Jasmine Amohia

Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpāparangi, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Maru, Cambodian, Indian

Aviation is an everlastingly interesting industry, says Jasmine Amohia who is now part of Air New Zealand’s popular digital graduate programme.

Connor Winiata

Ngāti Ranginui

Computing is an innovative, versatile and creative industry with skills that are in high demand in a wide range of industries, says Connor Winiata.

Hope Manaakitia Korewha

Ngāpuhi, Niuean

She loves art, says Hope Manaakitia Korewha who is now in the final year of her Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata.

Te Ata Tu Harmer-Matairangi (Ata)

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa

She discovered her passion for business during her first year at university, says Te Ata Tu Harmer-Matairangi (Ata) who now has a career in data analytics.

Tayla Webb

Ngātiwai

She always knew she wanted a career involving business, says business alumna Tayla Webb who completed a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Economics.

Hamish Berry

Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi

Creating, crafting and designing are things he has always enjoyed, says Hamish Berry who is studying communication design and Māori media.

Emma Hetaraka

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wharara

She has always been interested in showcasing Māori culture on the big screen, says Emma Hetaraka who is studying Māori media, Māori development and te reo Māori.

Ulima Tofi

Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tufulele, Vaipuna

His time at AUT shaped his passion for Māori and Pacific communities, says Ulima Tofi who completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) and a Master of Health Practice.

Holly Anaru

Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue

The social and environmental aspects of the built environment are her passions, says Holly Anaru who completed a Master of Architecture (Professional).

Ashlee Tulloch

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa

The energy at the Olympics is electric and addictive, says Ashlee Tulloch whose broadcasting career has seen her working for organisations like olympics.com.

Arana Rakena

Ngāpuhi

What he loves most about teaching is that he can contribute to the local rōpū and iwi, says Arana Rakena who now works as a teacher at Rosmini College.

Amy McMillan

Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi

Amy McMillan says she would highly recommend the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice to other students interested the theatre environment.

Gloria Rapoto

Te Rarawa

Working in the District Court inspired her to study law, says Gloria Rapoto who graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in mid-2024.

Maia Hemara-Tylden

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rangi

She wanted to develop the skills to support her people, says Maia Hemara-Tylden who completed a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Development with a minor in Education.

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The gateway to AUT: our marae

Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae can be hired for community use. Located on the City Campus, it welcomes the diverse cultures at AUT.

Our marae: Ngā Wai o Horotiu

Tautoko: Support for Māori students

Pou Māori – Māori Centre is an iwi Māori-focused support service that partners with ākonga Māori to provide support.

Māori student support

Māori research and faculty groups at AUT

You can find Maori research projects and teaching across AUT, including the following research and faculty groups:

Eke Tangaroa: programme for Māori and Pacific early career academics

Eke Tangaroa is a unique programme designed to increase the number of Māori and Pacific academics at AUT by appointing early career academics and supporting them to establish research-active academic careers.

Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae is a whānau, cultural and spiritual centre, located on the City Campus

Inside AUT’s Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae

Our staff are passionate about seeing students succeed

Students outside Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae

Te Ara Poutama’s Professor Paul Moon is widely recognised as an expert on Treaty of Waitangi related issues

Te Ara Poutama’s Professor Paul Moon is widely recognised as an expert on Te Tiriti o Waitangi related issues

FIND YOUR GREATNESS

Office of Māori Advancement

The Office of Māori Advancement works closely with AUT Māori staff, students and the wider community in advising and implementing Mātauranga Māori kaupapa throughout AUT.

AUT’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – AUT has undergone a transformational journey towards aligning with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As a Crown entity, AUT has a duty to actively promote and protect Tiriti rights and develop education settings that reflect Māori-Crown relationships.

Download our Whānau Guide

Read more about what it’s like to study at AUT, get practical information about what to expect from university study and hear from other Māori students at AUT.

Download brochure

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