All news
Anchors cause damage to seafloor
Science
18 May, 2022
High-resolution mapping has produced the first ever global estimates of coastal habitat damage caused by anchoring.
Emissions reduction plan lacks strategy
Social sciences and public policy
18 May, 2022
The newly released Emissions Reduction Plan was supposed to get real about urgent climate action – and it partially achieves this, but only partially.
Creating healthy and sustainable cities
Health sciences
16 May, 2022
A ground-breaking study has benchmarked urban planning policies that promote health and sustainability in cities around the globe.
Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
09 May, 2022
The first episode of AUT’s 2022 Pacific Language Week video series – AUT Focus on Sustainability – has been released for Rotuman Language Week.
06 May, 2022
AUT is proud to participate in the 2022 Pacific Language Weeks series. This year’s theme is ‘sustainability’.
AUT rises in global impact rankings
28 Apr, 2022
AUT has again been ranked amongst the world’s leading universities in the 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, rising 16 places from last year.
Five questions with Lefaoali’i Dion Enari
Sport and recreation
07 Apr, 2022
We asked him five questions about his research and the importance of placing sustainability at the heart of research activity.
AUT wins global sustainability award
28 Mar, 2022
An AUT initiative that has overhauled practical sustainability has been recognised at the inaugural 2021 Green Impact International Special Awards.
NZ Tree intel in your pocket, even offline
16 Mar, 2022
AUT’s popular NZ Trees app has been updated with more than double the number of native plants now included as well as an offline feature.
Graduate and AUT help Tongan recovery
Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
18 Feb, 2022
An AUT engineering graduate living in Tonga reached out to AUT staff to help reconnect vital communications following the devastating volcanic eruption.
Social sciences and public policy
09 Dec, 2021
How to change society in order to combat climate change can now be studied at AUT.
Research a step to predict ocean future
Science
25 Nov, 2021
Research which sheds light on the response of coastal ecosystems to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide will help predict the future of coastal waters.
23 Nov, 2021
Product development engineer Monique Cooper is the first ever AUT graduate to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
Reconsidering the ecological impact of introduced species in NZ
Science
23 Nov, 2021
Considering climate change and species loss, fighting all exotics maybe counterproductive to the ecosystems we’re trying to save, says AUT ecologist.
09 Nov, 2021
AUT’s inaugural Sustainability Report assesses our progress in creating a greener and more sustainable future.
Rutherford postdoctoral fellow award
Science
03 Nov, 2021
Dr Syrie Hermans, has been awarded a Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship to research how microbes in the soil benefit agricultural ecosystems.
The sustainable in-tent: fashion design
Art and design
01 Nov, 2021
For final-year fashion student Molly Whitehead, sustainability and bringing old back has been central to her study at AUT.
Teaching sustainability in design
Art and design
20 Oct, 2021
For Industrial Design students at AUT, light-proof milk bottles are a valuable resource to be reimagined in a circular economy challenge.
Science
19 Oct, 2021
AUT is leading a large 36-month international project to develop a technique to assess the environmental impact of offshore aquaculture.
SfTI funds bio-inspired underwater robot
Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
24 Sep, 2021
Dr Lorenzo Garcia has secured $200,000 of funding in the latest round of the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge.
Refuse to use: Plastic free July at AUT
Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
06 Jul, 2021
AUT staff and students have come together to go plastic-free this July. Get their top tips for reducing plastic all year round.
AUT Drone Lab Antarctic Conservation
17 Jun, 2021
AUT’s Drone Lab is part of the Australian Research Council $A36m project Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) project.
AUT: How we managed to kill the ‘bill’
13 May, 2021
Despite 2020 being peppered with COVID lockdowns, they were not the only contributor to impressive savings for AUT’s energy bill.
Five questions with Professor Ricky Chan
Business
10 May, 2021
We asked Professor Ricky Chan five questions about his research following his appointment to Professor.
Prosthetic fins for injured sea turtles
Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
31 Mar, 2021
Researchers from AUT BioDesign Lab have developed a prosthetic fin to rehabilitate injured sea turtles.
Science
16 Feb, 2021
Such undead tree stumps have been observed for almost 200 years, but the evolutionary and physiological processes leading to their existence remain a myste
09 Feb, 2021
The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is on now! Hear from Senior Lecturer Dr David Hall to see why he bikes and what advice he has.
Climate Science 2020 – 10 New Insights
Science
02 Feb, 2021
Professor Sebastian Leuzinger outlines some of 2020's significant findings within the field of climate science.
2021 NZ Sustainability survey launches
Business
18 Jan, 2021
Eligible participants are invited to complete the second annual survey on NZ's sustainability profession.
Climate emergency: Inspire hope not fear
Social sciences and public policy
01 Dec, 2020
A declaration of a climate emergency is not the same as action.
Scorchers: A climate-fiction anthology
Language and culture
13 Nov, 2020
A new antipodean anthology of climate change short fiction might just contribute to humanity imagining its way out of this existential crisis.
A roadmap to action for climate finance
Social sciences and public policy
10 Nov, 2020
AUT academics have helped put together a comprehensive new report on how we can reform our financial system to help fight the climate crisis.
05 Nov, 2020
This year AUT teams completed an impressive 153 sustainability related actions aimed at making our university more environmentally friendly.
Students focus on sustainable food
Sport and recreation
27 Oct, 2020
Around 50 students within the School of Sport and Recreation spent Semester 1 thinking, writing and studying food and nutrition.
Do we follow or lead on climate change?
Social sciences and public policy
06 Oct, 2020
When the Zero Carbon Act was passed, back in pre-Covid times, the Prime Minister insisted “New Zealand will not be a slow follower” on climate change.
$2.7m for offshore aquaculture
Science
29 Sep, 2020
AUT ecologist Dr Kay Vopel is leading a project to develop new protocols for offshore fish farming.
24 Sep, 2020
A Reverse Vending Machine that takes rather than gives is up and running at AUT.
Better recycling is less waste more jobs
Architecture
21 Sep, 2020
Investment in New Zealand’s recycling industry will not only reduce waste to landfills, but create jobs as part of our COVID-19 economic recovery.
Lowest energy intensity of NZ universities
10 Sep, 2020
AUT has rated as one of the lowest energy intensity universities in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
04 Sep, 2020
Spring is here and AUT has some events coming up later in September where you can enjoy being outside and learn or try something new.
Metamorphosis - from waste to fashion
Creative technologies
04 Aug, 2020
Donna Cleveland reimagines fashion with a circular model, diverting textile waste from landfill and giving it new life in designer fashion.
Pacific language videos: Cook Islands
Health sciences
03 Aug, 2020
The Cook Islands episode in AUT’s Pacific language video series – ‘Adapting to a changing world, shaping resilient futures’ – is out now.
$1.29m for ‘clean energy’ project
21 Jul, 2020
AUT is set to receive $1.29 million from the latest round of funding from the Government's New Zealand Upgrade Programme.
Switching farm animals for crops?
Science
21 Jul, 2020
Climate Explained: What if we took all farm animals off the land and planted crops and trees instead? Professor Sebastian Leuzinger investigates.
Green Impact Australasian awards
21 Jul, 2020
Annie McKillop, Staff Development ＆ Engagement Co-ordinator at AUT Library, has been named Staff Champion in the Green Impact Australasian awards.
Role of sustainability experts explored
Business and economics
12 Jun, 2020
AUT participated in a collaborative research project delving into the rapidly evolving roles of sustainability professionals in NZ organisations.
Market leading energy rating for AUT
08 Jun, 2020
An AUT building has been awarded 5 out of 6 stars for the NABERSNZ Energy Rating putting it amongst some of the most energy efficient buildings in NZ.
Health sciences
08 May, 2020
A video series by AUT will highlight the Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study’s work in shaping resilient futures for Pacific communities.
AUT ranked in top 25 for tackling global issues
24 Apr, 2020
The latest THE Impact Rankings have been released and AUT ranks 23rd in the world and 1st against the Decent Work and Economic Growth goal
Science
10 Mar, 2020
AUT Science project Living Labs, is researching the best ways to reintroduce native forest to marginal land across New Zealand.
Grounds maintenance goes green
10 Feb, 2020
AUT's Estates team has brought in two new grounds maintenance contractors who are committed to using all electric gear where possible.
AUT awarded for revolutionising energy
11 Dec, 2019
AUT has won the Revolutionising Energy Award at the 2019 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards.
23 Sep, 2019
AUT Living Laboratories, a project to restore native forest, will be presented at the UN Climate Action Assembly in New York.
Climate change article makes cover of Nature
Science
23 Aug, 2019
AUT applied ecologist Dr Nicola Day has published paper on climate change in Nature which features on the cover. 
Student hackathon works to reduce waste
14 Aug, 2019
AUT students recently collaborated with industry to tackle environmental issues producing potential solutions in just eight hours.
Tongan whales affected by tourism
Science
18 Jul, 2019
AUT research shows that the intensive swim-with-whale tourism in Tonga is disturbing natural behaviour patterns.
The future of NZ’s marine environment
Science
15 Jul, 2019
Two AUT researchers, Dr Rebecca Jarvis and Dr Tim Young, surveyed New Zealand’s marine scientists to discover the key areas where more research is needed.
Study: safe altitude for flying drones over marine animals
Science
10 Jul, 2019
Researchers from the Auckland University of Technology have found the safest distance to fly drones over marine mammals.
How should we tackle the climate crisis?
09 Jul, 2019
A new book edited by Dr David Hall aims to shift the discussion on climate change – from what needs to be done to how we should deal with it now.
Science
17 Jun, 2019
An AUT PhD student is working to convert avocado waste into compostable packaging in response to the large amount of waste sent to landfill every year.
62% increase in AUT researchers
30 Apr, 2019
Growing expertise to help New Zealand and the world
Global top 16 for sustainability
04 Apr, 2019
AUT #16 overall, #2 for Sustainable Cities & Communities and #9 for Gender Equality in global rankings.
22 Mar, 2019
In 2018, AUT produced 692 tonnes of waste, which ended up in a landfill, generating 82 tonnes of CO2. But where does it go and how did this happen?
Clever Little Monthly wins X-Challenge
Art and design
12 Dec, 2018
Students Shara Quin and Mia Evans won the top prize at the 2018 AUT X Challenge for Clever Little Monthly, ethical and sustainable tampons made from hemp.
Minister launches sustainable blueprint
24 Oct, 2018
The Minister for Climate Change, the Hon James Shaw officially launched AUT’s Sustainability Roadmap on Friday 19 October.
Art and design
02 Oct, 2018
Thanks to students taking the Design for Sustainability paper, North campus is now host to a solitary bee hotel.
City Campus’ newest building now open
17 Jul, 2018
The WZ building – the new home of our School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences – represents a new way of teaching and learning for AUT.
nztrees app puts natives on the map
Science
07 Jun, 2018
Do you know your mānuka from your kānuka, your pōhutukawa from your rātā or ever wonder which trees are native?
Students participate in beach clean-up
Business and economics
16 May, 2018
Accounting students recently displayed sustainability in action, participating in a beach clean-up fieldtrip at Point England Reserve, Glen Innes.
Communication studies
20 Apr, 2018
A report for the Ministry of Environment, launched recently at AUT, reveals opportunities for New Zealand through climate finance.
New Zealand’s first electric bus hits the road
07 Mar, 2018
New Zealand’s first fully battery powered electric bus hits the road today, thanks to a joint initiative by Tranzit Group, EECA and AUT.
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