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.

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.

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.

Meet some of our Pacific students

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gloria Rapoto

Working in the District Court inspired her to study law, says Gloria Rapoto who graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in mid-2024.

Hannah Cartman

Hannah Cartman may have only finished her sport management degree a few years ago, but she has already had the chance to work with two very different national sporting bodies.

Kelepi Liava'a

He has always been passionate about people, says Kelepi Liava’a who studied human resource management and employment relations, and marketing.

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.

Rulon Brown

Deciding to study sport and recreation was easy, says Rulon Brown who came to AUT to complete a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.

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.

Solomone (Mone) Kaloni Timani

Podiatry student Solomone (Mone) Kaloni Timani came to AUT with a powerful mission: to ease the burden diabetes places on Tongan families.

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.

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.

Manshikha Chand

Computers have always fascinated her, says Manshikha Chand, an international student from Fiji who is now studying networks and cybersecurity, and accounting.

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.

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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.