AUT Announces 2025 Matariki Winners
AUT is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Ngā Whakamānawa o Matariki | AUT Matariki Awards, the University’s highest internal honours recognising staff excellence in research, education, and professional service.
Presented at the annual Matariki Staff Celebration on 26 June, these awards reflect AUT’s commitment to values-led excellence and celebrate individuals and teams who exemplify pono (integrity), tika (what’s right), and aroha (compassion) in their work.
Now in their second year, the Matariki Awards are named after the nine stars of the Matariki constellation and span three categories: Educator, Research, and Professional Services.
AUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa congratulated the recipients on behalf of the University, saying:
“These awards are a powerful expression of who we are at AUT. They honour the excellence, service, and innovation of our people—those who lead with aroha, challenge the status quo, and uplift our university, students, communities, and the world we serve. On behalf of AUT, I congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists. You inspire us all”.
Congratulations to this year’s award winners:
Ngā Whakamānawa o Matariki (Award Winners)
Research Awards
Tupu-ā-nuku | Early Career Research Award
Associate Professor Liesje Donkin (School of Clinical Sciences)
Associate Professor Donkin is recognised for her equity-driven, community-engaged research that transforms mental health care through culturally responsive innovation. She is recognised for bridging digital health, psychological intervention, and implementation science to improve outcomes for Māori and underserved communities.
Waitī | Postgraduate Research Student Support Award
Professor Peter Kim (School of Hospitality and Tourism)
Professor Kim is recognised for his outstanding commitment to postgraduate supervision, grounded in inclusive, student-centred mentoring. He is recognised for supporting academic excellence while prioritising student wellbeing, cultural inclusion, and personal growth.
Te Huihuinga o Matariki | Research Excellence Award
Professor Katherine Ravenswood (Business School)
Professor Ravenswood is recognised for her pioneering research into employment relations and care work, and her leadership in Tiriti-led, community-engaged scholarship. She is recognised for shaping national and international policy, securing major research funding, and building research capacity across Aotearoa.
Professional Services Awards
Waitā | Professional Innovation Award
Andre Pham (ICT)
Andre Pham is recognised for his visionary leadership in digital innovation and AI integration at AUT. He is recognised for delivering in-house solutions that improve user experience, increase efficiency, and generate significant cost savings.
Hiwa-i-te-rangi | Professional Rising Star Award
Chelsey Watson (Faculty of Business, Economics and Law)
Chelsey Watson is recognised for her exceptional leadership, collaboration, and impact since joining AUT. She is recognised for her strategic thinking and empathetic approach, which have made her a trusted colleague and catalyst for positive change.
Tupu-ā-rangi | Professional Service Excellence Award
Megumi Kincaid (Commercial Services, Estates Group)
Megumi Kincaid is recognised for her unwavering dedication to service excellence over 11 years at AUT. She is recognised for her warmth, professionalism, and values-led approach that make her a cornerstone of the university community.
Educator Awards
Matariki | General Educator Award
Dr Geri Harris (Business School)
Dr Harris is recognised for her innovative, student-centred approach to business education that enhances engagement and learning outcomes. She is recognised for transforming the learning experience through flipped classrooms, gamification, and AI tools.
Ururangi | Pacific Educator Award
Dr Radilaite Cammock (Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences)
Dr Cammock is recognised for her Pacific-centred teaching that fosters belonging, reciprocity, and cultural understanding. She is recognised for empowering Pacific students and enriching learning through inclusive, values-based pedagogy.
Waipuna-ā-rangi | Kaupapa Māori Educator Award
MaiSci Māori and Indigenous Science Rōpū and SCIE606 Team
Team members: Dr Antony Vavia, Dr Chris Puliuvea, Professor Georgina Stewart, Associate Professor John Perrott, Kowhai Wilkie, Dr Leilani Walker, Dr Taniela Lolohea, Te Haua Taua, and Dr Valance Smith
The team is recognised for their transformative, kaupapa Māori-led approach to science education that centres mātauranga Māori and Indigenous knowledge systems. They are recognised for creating a culturally rich learning environment that empowers students to engage confidently with Māori and Indigenous communities.
