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.

AUT hosts Prof Rev Upolu Lumā Vaai

AUT hostedthe first Vice-Chancellor of the Pasifika Communities University, Prof Rev Upolu Lumā Vaai.

Kiribati Language Week 2025

AUT proudly celebrates Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week 2025.

AUT releases 5th annual Pay Gaps report

Measuring progress towards a diverse, fair and inclusive workplace

Celebrate Samoa Language Week 2025

AUT celebrates Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week 2025.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Malia Siufanga

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

Fawaz Khan

He knew he wanted to get into the construction industry right after school, says Fawaz Khan who dreams of a career in quantity surveying or project 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.

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.

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.

Namulau’ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele

Technology is for people, says computing alumna Namulau’ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele who was named Young New Zealander of the Year 2025.

Kristeen Karishma Chand

Working in different business units across the company is what she enjoys most about being part of KiwiRail’s graduate programme, says Kristeen Karishma Chand.

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).

Monique Oyagawa

There have been many pinch-me moments since she joined Remix Magazine in 2021 as part of her AUT business workplace experience, says Monique Oyagawa.

Sona Patel

Education has the power to transform lives, says primary teaching student Sona Patel who is looking forward to being a part of this transformative process.

Freda Pake

She is proud to have been chosen to represent Papua New Guinea in the World Bank’s Early Childhood Development Fellowship programme, says Freda Pake.

Petronilla Louisa Tamari

Deciding to study economics and finance was easy, says Petronilla Louisa Tamari who came to AUT as an international student from Papua New Guinea.

Ulima Tofi

His time at AUT shaped his passion for Māori and Pacific communities, says Ulima Tofi who completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) and a Master of Health Practice.

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.

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.

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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.