Māori at AUT

AUT has a strong and important relationship with Māori, which honours the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. This commitment is reflected in the educational, social and philosophical culture of AUT.

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.

The office is headed by the Pro-Vice Chancellor: Māori Advancement, Professor Pare Keiha.

Profile of Professor Pare Keiha

The role of the office

The office provides leadership to both academic and service divisions in achieving AUT’s strategic plan, especially themes and goals related to the advancement of Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi.

The office coordinates the Māori Advancement Advisory Committee as well as the day-to-day operations of the AUT Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae.

Our initiatives include:

  • Building effective relationships with mana whenua, iwi and Māori communities
  • Conducting research that benefits Māori and their communities
  • Including Māori pathways in the curriculum
  • Promoting access, success and advancement for Māori staff and students

AUT Directions Strategic Plan (AUT's official publications)

History of the office

The office of Māori Advancement was established in 1997 and known as the Office of Te Ahurei (when the institution was known as AIT). When AUT became a university in 2000, the title of Te Ahurei was changed to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori Advancement. In the year 2004 the office was renamed the Office of Māori Advancement, headed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Māori Advancement, Associate Professor Pare Keiha.

The office was re-housed in Te Ara Poutama (Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development) WB Block and renovated to provide better support systems and more opportunities for Māori staff and students of AUT.

History of AUT

It is through AUT’s commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi that the Office of Māori Advancement and the AUT Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae exist.

This important partnership AUT has with Māori honours the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is integral to the educational, social and philosophical culture of AUT. It ensures that AUT is meeting its commitment to Māori in our community. The three key principles are:

  1. Partnership
    Māori to participate in decision making processes, curriculum development, initiatives and accountability processes.
  2. Protection
    Māori to define and protect knowledge, legitimate knowledge to be defined by and for Māori to be included in representation and legitimating processes.
  3. Participation
    Māori staff and students have access to the benefits of being an employee or student of the university. To participate in the opportunities and course offerings available and to contribute to the benefits of the university.

Te Tiriti O Waitangi - New Zealand History Online; State Services Commission
Archives New Zealand (graphic reproduction)

Our Māori media, Māori development and te reo qualifications are dynamic and relevant – preparing you to succeed in the business and media sectors.

Māori and indigenous development (Te Ara Poutama) courses

An essential part of health sciences at AUT, the Māori Health department teaches Te Ara Hauora Māori (Māori health) papers for students interested in a Māori health career.

It works closely with Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research to promote positive health experiences for Māori whānau.

Māori Health department

Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research website

Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae is a whānau, cultural and spiritual centre, located on the City Campus
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
Inside AUT’s Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae
Our staff are passionate about seeing students succeed
Our staff are passionate about seeing students succeed
Students outside Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae
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 Treaty of Waitangi related issues

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

Support for Māori students

At AUT we offer a range of services and activities to support our Māori students during their studies.

Māori student support

Timoti Wharewaka
Mary Wilkins
Patricia Te Whatu
Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis
Stasia Wharepouri
Timoti Wharewaka
Great graduatesTimoti WharewakaCloud Application Senior Analyst, AccentureBachelor of Computer and Information Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Computer and Information SciencesTechnology is shaping the future landscape we will live in, says AUT computing alumnus Timoti Wharewaka who is now a cloud application senior analyst at Accenture.Technology is shaping the future landscape we will live in, says AUT computing alumnus Timoti Wharewaka. Now working as a cloud application senior analyst for leading global professional services company Accenture, Timoti enjoys using his skills to help clients. His studies have prepared him well for his role now, Timoti says.
Mary Wilkins
Great graduatesMary WilkinsDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Creative Writing
Bachelor of ArtsHow is mental health represented in literature? That is the interesting topic Mary Wilkins is currently exploring for her PhD in creative writing at AUT.How is mental health represented in literature? That is the interesting topic Mary Wilkins is exploring for her PhD. She began researching this topic in her master’s degree but felt she had only just scratched the surface. Supervised by Dr Paul Mountfort from AUT’s School of Language and Culture, Mary hopes her research will creative additional support for teenagers with mental health issues.
Patricia Te Whatu
Great graduatesPatricia Te WhatuBachelor of Architecture and Future EnvironmentsShe has always loved designing and creating things, says Patricia Te Whatu who is in the first year of a Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments.She has always loved designing and creating things, says Patricia Te Whatu who is currently in the first year of a Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments. As one of AUT’s first group of architecture students, Patricia is excited to be part of such a new and innovative programme. It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted.
Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis
Great graduatesMatangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-FrancisBachelor of Design
Master of Architecture (Professional)He was inspired by the vision of AUT’s architecture programmes, says Master of Architecture (Professional) student Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis.He was inspired by the vision of AUT’s architecture programmes, says Matangireia Mita Ngarua Yates-Francis who completed a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design in 2019 and is currently enrolled in the Master of Architecture (Professional). Raised in Rotorua, Matangireia says he is grateful that his parents and whānau made sure that he and his siblings were surrounded by Māori culture and the arts.
Stasia Wharepouri
Great graduatesStasia WharepouriAdministrator, Kiwis for KiwiBachelor of Maori Development - Maori MediaShe loved making a documentary as part of her Māori media degree, says Stasia Wharepouri who studied AUT’s Bachelor of Māori Development in Māori Media.She loved making a documentary as part of her Māori media degree, says Stasia Wharepouri who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Māori Development in Māori Media. After initially planning to enrol in AUT’s communication studies degree, Stasia realised that the Bachelor of Māori Development was the perfect fit for her when she attended AUT’s open day.
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