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.

Office of Pacific Advancement

Support at AUT

Whether you're a Pacific student, Pacific staff member or a part of our wider Pacific community, the Office of Pacific Advancement has been set up to champion all things Pacific here 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 Taunga dedicated to supporting Pacific students across all three campuses. From academic and financial support to pastoral care and food, our Vā Pasifika spaces exist to help every Pacific student throughout their university journey.

Celebrate Rotuma Language Week 2025

Te Ara Poutama: Māori and indigenous development

Four AUT students share their pride in their Rotuman heritage as part of Rotuma Language Week 2025.

Schools Partnership Programme launched

AUT recently launched itsSchools Partnership Programme, Iti kōpara to provide pathways to higher education for priority Māori and Pasifika learners.

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.

Six New Kaihoe Join AUT's Eke Tangaroa

AUT welcomes six new Kaihoe to Eke Tangaroa, a key initiative supporting Māori and Pacific academics' growth and success within the University.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Rinesh Sean Rattan

What he enjoys most about his job is the chance to learn new technologies, says Rinesh Sean Rattan who is now a technology consultant focusing on cybersecurity.

Jeremiah Rogo

He loves his career as a lighting designer for Beca, says art and design alumnus Jeremiah Rogo who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design.

Jordan Christian Saimasi-Mika

There is something special about AUT, says Jordan Christian Saimasi-Mika who came to AUT to study computer and information sciences and business management.

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.

Shakil Tausheed Mohammed

When Shakil Tausheed Mohammed moved to New Zealand from Fiji, he spent several years helping rebuild Christchurch before coming to uni to study science.

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.

Hannah Felise-Clarke

Watching her son struggle with mental health and addiction inspired her to understand how to offer support, says Hannah Felise-Clarke who studied health science.

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.

Anna Taufao

She wakes up every day happy to be in the job she is in, says Anna Taufao who studied mathematical sciences and is now a financial crime investigator at Westpac NZ.

Uong Jameson Yalap

He loves being part of a team that is working towards a common purpose, says Uong Jameson Yalap, who came to AUT as an international student from Palau.

Sheena Sheetal Kumar

She enjoys learning about her company’s various teas and other products, says Sheena Sheetal Kumar who now works at the T2 Tea head office in Melbourne.

Longo Matangi

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.

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.

Levi McMillan

He truly enjoys the dynamic nature of his work, says Levi McMillan who studied advertising and now works as a social content creator for DDB.

Dilon Kumar

The numerous opportunities he has access to are what he loves most about his studies, says Dilon Kumar who is completing a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Marketing.

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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.