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

Matariki art a koha from AUT Pou Māori

Art and design

This year’s free Matariki art, from Auckland University of Technology, features work by Bachelor of Design tauira Te Awanui a Rangi Teresa Clark.

AUT releases 5th annual Pay Gaps report

Measuring progress towards a diverse, fair and inclusive workplace

Rangitoto Island forms a backdrop to the wave-cut platform off Achilles Point, Auckland.

Panel discussion: Auckland’s volcanoes

Art and design

A panel discussion on 29 May at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) will explore the volcanoes and lava caves of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Trailblazer at AUT AI Collaboration

AUT hosted renowned video designer, Maru Nihoniho, at a livestreamed event held in collaboration with the Science Gallery at the University of Melbourne.

Meet some of our Māori students

Phoenix Petelo

Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Samoa

From a young age he has been deeply fascinated by the core sciences, says Phoenix Petelo who is studying a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biological Science.

Reuben Terehu Shortland

Ngāti Hine

For Reuben Terehu Shortland putting on a motion capture suit and watching a virtual version of himself during his digital design degree was eye-opening.

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.

Auriole Lynnette Ruka

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto

She wants to make a difference for her whānau, hapū and iwi and represent her tupuna, says Auriole Lynnette Ruka who completed a Master of Business in Management.

Longo Matangi

Ngā Rauru, Tongan

She loves making a positive difference to Māori and Pacific communities, says Longo Matangi who completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Health Management in mid-2024.

Ash Thompson

Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki

He enjoys being able to make a difference to an organisation, says business alumnus Ash Thompson who recently joined Ernst & Young as an insolvency consultant.

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.

Alex Greaves

Ngāi Tahu

Being able to learn from some of the country’s best law academics was a highlight of his time at AUT, says Alex Greaves who completed a Master of Laws.

Joe Lolo

Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Tongan

Education has been a passion since school, says Joe Lolo who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a minor in English and New Media Studies.

Shaun Adam Atamu

Ngāti Maniapoto, Niuean

His career now is a dream come true, says sport and recreation alumnus Shaun Adam Atamu who is currently working for the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union.

Kathleen Tereina Nelson

Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Ngāti Whatua, Clan Crawford

More research and action are needed on Māori perspectives on trauma-informed care and positive health gains for Māori, says Kathleen Tereina Nelson.

Kenza Taele

Samoan, New Zealand European, Ngāi Tahu

She has long been interested in sport physiotherapy, says Kenza Taele, a passionate netballer and Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) student.

Yvaan Hapuku-Lambert

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Tainui

He was proud to be a part of the sought-after graduate programme at Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, says sport and recreation alumnus Yvaan Hapuku-Lambert.

Taania Williams

Ngāti Porōu, Rongowhakaata, Rereahu, Tainui, Te Atiawa, Taranaki

For Taania Williams, a career as a teacher was always a strong possibility, and she now loves teaching at the very school she once attended herself.

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.

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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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