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

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.

Schools Partnership Programme launched

AUT recently launched itsSchools Partnership Programme, Iti kōpara to provide pathways to higher education for priority Māori and Pasifika learners.

The flap over DEI: woke, or just awake?

Business

Ella Henry says she is happy to be called “woke”, because it means she is wide awake, aware of efforts to increase social injustice and racial disha...

Meet some of our Māori students

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.

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.

Te Ata Tu Harmer-Matairangi (Ata)

Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa

She discovered her passion for business during her first year at university, says Te Ata Tu Harmer-Matairangi (Ata) who now has a career in data analytics.

Norrissalee Ngatai-Harbour

Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hineuru

AUT is very supportive throughout your studies, says Norrissalee Ngatai-Harbour who is studying environmental science, biodiversity conservation and geospatial science.

Louis Hartley

Te Atiawa (Taranaki)

He loves that it’s his job to be informed, says Louis Hartley who studied a degree in public relations and now works for GRC Partners + Porter Novelli.

Reuben Terehu Shortland

Ngāti Hine

For Reuben Terehu Shortland putting on a motion capture suit and watching a virtual version of himself during his digital design degree was eye-opening.

Macauley Cunningham

Te Aupōuri

Deciding to study computing was easy, says Macauley Cunningham who completed a Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Software Development.

Ulima Tofi

Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tufulele, Vaipuna

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.

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.

Daniel Ruwangalegedara

Sri Lankan, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou

Being able to gain practical skills and work on industry projects is what he enjoyed most about his studies, says engineering alumnus Daniel Ruwangalegedara.

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.

Kaleb Maihi

Ngāpuhi

He chose to study business because of the flexibility and the opportunities it offers, says Kaleb Maihi who is in the final year of a Bachelor of Business.

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.

Gloria Rapoto

Te Rarawa

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.

Shaun Adam Atamu

Ngāti Maniapoto, Niuean

His career now is a dream come true, says sport and recreation alumnus Shaun Adam Atamu who is currently working for the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union.

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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

FIND YOUR GREATNESS

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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