Māori at AUT

Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – AUT plays a critical role in shaping Aotearoa New Zealand, and has undergone a transformational journey towards aligning with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In this section you can see stories of our staff and students at AUT, and discover the positive impact our work is making across Aotearoa.

News from AUT’s Māori whānau

Matariki art a koha from AUT Pou Māori

Art and design

This year’s free Matariki art, from Auckland University of Technology, features work by Bachelor of Design tauira Te Awanui a Rangi Teresa Clark.

AUT releases 5th annual Pay Gaps report

Measuring progress towards a diverse, fair and inclusive workplace

Rangitoto Island forms a backdrop to the wave-cut platform off Achilles Point, Auckland.

Panel discussion: Auckland’s volcanoes

Art and design

A panel discussion on 29 May at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) will explore the volcanoes and lava caves of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Trailblazer at AUT AI Collaboration

AUT hosted renowned video designer, Maru Nihoniho, at a livestreamed event held in collaboration with the Science Gallery at the University of Melbourne.

Meet some of our Māori students

Arana Rakena

Ngāpuhi

What he loves most about teaching is that he can contribute to the local rōpū and iwi, says Arana Rakena who now works as a teacher at Rosmini College.

Anna Matthews

Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa

Her plan is to work in an intensive care unit as a registered nurse in Tāmaki Makaurau, says Anna Matthews who is completing a Master of Nursing Science.

Alysha Clark

She loves working with tāngata whaiora of all ages, says Alysha Clark who is a nurse practitioner at Manurewa Healthcare, a South Auckland general practice.

Hannah Cartman

Ngāpuhi, Fijian

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.

Monique Oyagawa

Ngāi Tahu, Samoan, Japanese, European

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.

Alex Tawharu

Ngāti Raukawa

Her passion for storytelling has deep roots, says Alex Tawharu who studied advertising and public relations, and now works as a copywriter at Bastion Shine.

Longo Matangi

Ngā Rauru, Tongan

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.

Kenza Taele

Samoan, New Zealand European, Ngāi Tahu

She has long been interested in sport physiotherapy, says Kenza Taele, a passionate netballer and Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) student.

Ella Cook

Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki Iwi, Ngāpuhi

She has enjoyed how industry focused AUT is, says Ella Cook who completed a Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design and is now enrolled in a Master of Design.

Ivy Lyden-Hancy

Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wairere, Samoa (Falefā), Tonga (Vava’u)

She would like to see more Māori in the academic field, especially as lecturers, says Ivy Lyden-Hancy who is studying a Bachelor of Arts in History and Māori Media.

Briar Leith

Ngāti Kahungunu

International relations have always fascinated her, says Briar Leith who studied a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a minor in Public Relations.

Riku Aupouri

Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Ngāti Wāhia

Deciding to study sport and recreation stems from his passion for physical activity, says Riku Aupouri who is now studying a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.

Tseard Theo van der Mei

Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Dutch

He loves having a role in professional sport, says Tseard Theo van der Mei who works as an assistant sport scientist for the Auckland FC.

Kataraina Anneff

Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāti Tumutumu, Ngāti Tamaterā

She loves telling the stories that matter to Māori communities, says Māori media alumna Kataraina Anneff who is now a digital producer for TVNZ’s Te Karere.

Astrid Whiteside

Ngāi Tahu

Studying Māori media provides an opportunity to explore a variety of works from the Pacific, says Astrid Whitside who is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts.

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The gateway to AUT: our marae

Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae can be hired for community use. Located on the City Campus, it welcomes the diverse cultures at AUT.

Our marae: Ngā Wai o Horotiu

Tautoko: Support for Māori students

Pou Māori – Māori Centre is an iwi Māori-focused support service that partners with ākonga Māori to provide support.

Māori student support

Māori research and faculty groups at AUT

You can find Maori research projects and teaching across AUT, including the following research and faculty groups:

Eke Tangaroa: programme for Māori and Pacific early career academics

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.

Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae is a whānau, cultural and spiritual centre, located on the City Campus

Inside AUT’s Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae

Our staff are passionate about seeing students succeed

Students outside Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae

Te Ara Poutama’s Professor Paul Moon is widely recognised as an expert on Treaty of Waitangi related issues

Te Ara Poutama’s Professor Paul Moon is widely recognised as an expert on Te Tiriti o Waitangi related issues

Office of Māori Advancement

The Office of Māori Advancement works closely with AUT Māori staff, students and the wider community in advising and implementing Mātauranga Māori kaupapa throughout AUT.

AUT’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – AUT has undergone a transformational journey towards aligning with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As a Crown entity, AUT has a duty to actively promote and protect Tiriti rights and develop education settings that reflect Māori-Crown relationships.

Download our Whānau Guide

Read more about what it’s like to study at AUT, get practical information about what to expect from university study and hear from other Māori students at AUT.

Download brochure

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