Pacific at AUT

This is your central hub for all things Pacific at AUT. Here you will hear stories of our staff and students at AUT, discover our engagement with communities, and learn more of the research that impacts the lives of our Pacific people.

"Oceania is vast, Oceania is expanding, Oceania is hospitable and generous, Oceania is humanity rising from the depths of brine and regions of fire deeper still, Oceania is us. We are the sea. We are the ocean." - Epeli Hau'ofa

News from AUT’s Pacific community

A group of early childhood education teachers sitting on the floor learning weaving Samoan mats.

Enhancing education for young Samoans

Education
Research led by AUT academics shows how to enhance early childhood education for Samoan pepe meamea (infants and toddlers).

Kiribati Language Week 2024

AUT alumna, Lisa Ngauea, speaks about her Kiribati language journey as the University celebrates the third Pacific Language Week of 2024.
Damon Salesa at AUT's Matariki awards

AUT announces Matariki Award winners

Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
AUT announces the winners of Ngā Whakamānawa o Matariki, AUT's Matariki Awards, recognising staff excellence across academic and professional disciplines.
AUT Lecturer

Sāmoan Language Week 2024

Dr Ioana Mulipola, an AUT Nursing Lecturer, shares her language learning journey as part of Sāmoan Language Week 2024.
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Pacific staff at AUT

AUT is a vibrant, diverse and supportive organisation for work and study. You can find Pacific staff in positions of responsibility right across all departments at AUT. In this section, some of our Pacific staff share their stories.

Our staff

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.

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Meet some of our Pacific students

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Luna-Rossa Lomitusi-Ape

Studying engineering was the obvious choice for her, says Luna-Rossa Lomitusi-Ape who came to AUT from Samoa to study an electrical engineering degree.
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Wairua Taru Grant Pukeiti

He wanted a career where he can make a difference to his people, says Wairua Taru Grant Pukeiti who studied criminology, Māori development and law at AUT.
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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).
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Malia Latu

The importance of education was instilled in her from a very young age, says Malia Latu who came to AUT to complete a Master of Communication Studies.
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Jennifer Olivia (Olivia) Uhrle

For AUT business alumna Jennifer Olivia (Olivia) Uhrle, finding her path towards the technology career she has today was a bit of journey.
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Kalisolaite ‘Uhila

What he loves most about being an artist is when people connect with his work, says Kalisolaite ‘Uhila who is now an award-winning performance artist.
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Marie Loraine Esekielu

She had always wanted to gain a uni qualification to repay her parents for their hard work, says Marie Loraine Esekielu who came to AUT as an adult student.
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Tanvi Narayan

She loves her role in the brand team of NZ Wine, says Tanvi Narayan who studied both event management and finance, and graduated from AUT in 2023.
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Eteroa Tusipepa Lafaele

Technology is for people, says Eteroa Tusipepa Lafaele whose passion for educating communities about tech earned her a Young IT Professional of the Year Award.
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Tania Apera

Deciding to study at AUT was easy, says Cook Islander Tania Apera who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronic Engineering in 2017.
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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.
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Ledwina Katuke

Her interest in holistic wellbeing inspired her to study a Bachelor of Health Science, says Ledwina Katuke who is currently in the third year of her degree.
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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.
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Moeakiola Fa’e

He wanted to understand how and why individuals think and behave in a certain manner, says Moeakiola Fa’e who came to AUT to study a psychology degree.
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Tui Meki

There’s no such thing as a crazy idea, only one that could change the game, says Tui Meki who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design.
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Contact details

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

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Office of Pacific Advancement

We’re committed to the wellbeing and success of Pacific communities at AUT and beyond. Our programmes and initiatives cover the student and staff experience, academic research development, impact and engagement, advocacy, and community-based collaborations and partnerships.

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Student support

AUT offers a wide range of support for students and students can also be a part of the Oceanian Leadership Network. We also offer a number of scholarships for secondary school students, including the AUT Find Your Greatness Scholarships for Pacific students.

UniPrep programme

UniPrep is a five-week programme designed to make it easy for high school students to transition into university life. You’ll meet other high school students, as well as a wide support team of navigators who are current university students.

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