Pacific at AUT

This is your place to thrive. Genuine support that actually works. Research that tackles what matters to Pacific communities. Connections that strengthen us all. From Vā Pasifika spaces to Pacific leadership, this is where your community's dreams take flight.

Office of Pacific Advancement

Support at AUT

The Office of Pacific Advancement champions Pacific success - whether you're a student, staff member, or part of our wider Pacific community. We're here to support you at Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau - Auckland University of Technology.

Pacific student
support

The team who offers support at AUT

We have a team of Tauarua dedicated to supporting Pacific students across all three campuses. From academic and financial support to pastoral care and kai, our Va Pasifika spaces are here to help every Pacific student throughout their university journey.

This week Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week is being celebrated across Aotearoa.

AUT celebrates Tuvalu Language Week 2025

Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu is being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

Unity elusive at Pacific Islands Forum

Law

The Pacific Islands Forum has wrapped up its annual leaders' meeting with some significant agreements - but integration remains a contested term.

Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week

Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wikis being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

AUT celebrates Tonga Language Week

Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga is being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Rachel Suesue

Caring for her family through illness sparked her passion for wanting to help others, says Rachel Suesue who is studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing).

Tane Wolfgramm

For Tane Wolfgramm, being able to create content for The Blues rugby team and travel with the team all over the world is a dream come true.

Nimo Meleisea

Nimo Meleisea realised early on what a positive impact her knowledge of Samoan and English can have. Years later, interpreting is an important part of her job.

Amelia Rose Lingbu

Being able to work with people is one of the things she loves most about being an interpreter, says Amelia Rose Lingbu who studied a Graduate Certificate in Arts.

Malia Siufanga

Hospitality has always been her passion, says Malia Siufanga who is studying a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management in Hospitality Management.

Husna Akbar

She has always been fascinated by the way humans think and behave, says Husna Akbar who studied a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice & Psychology.

Kiana Danby

She is proud of where she is in her career, says Kiana Danby who completed a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and now works as a marketing executive for Hanlon Plumbing Ltd.

Sauniuni Seleni

Joining BNZ as a as a commercial senior associate opened his eyes to the role banks play in the economy, says Sauniuni Seleni (Sauni) who completed a Bachelor of Laws.

Joe Lolo

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.

Tita Leaupepe

Sport has always been a passion of hers, says Tita Leaupepe who studied a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management, followed by a Master of Business.

Kahlen Gray

She felt nervous about starting university, says Kahlen Gray who began her AUT journey by with UniPrep before starting her Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching).

Kim Keromen

She has always loved events and tourism, says Kim Keromen who came to AUT as an international student from Tahiti in French Polynesia, and is studying a Bachelor of Arts.

Josiah Akesim

He enjoys working on impactful projects that improve digital access in remote communities, says Josiah Akesim who now works for NICTA in Papua New Guinea.

Robin Leaton

He enjoys helping people return to their peak performance, says physiotherapy alumnus Robin Leaton who now leads a specialist rehabilitation clinic.

Kilakupa Marryanne Gulo-Vui

She wanted to play a part in Papua New Guinea’s developing ICT sector, says Kilakupa Marryanne Gulo-Vui who came to AUT as an international student.

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Contact details

You can get in touch by emailing pacific@aut.ac.nz.

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Eke Tangaroa

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.