Pacific at AUT

This is your place to thrive. Support built with Pacific communities. Research tackling what matters to our people. Vā Pasifika spaces where you belong, Pacific leadership programmes that lift you up. Your community's behind you – and your future's ahead of you.

Office of Pacific Advancement

Support at AUT

The Office of Pacific Advancement champions Pacific success - whether you're a student, staff member, or part of our wider Pacific community. We're here to support you 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 Tauarua dedicated to supporting Pacific students across all three campuses. From academic and financial support to pastoral care and kai, our Vā Pasifika spaces are here to help every Pacific student throughout their university journey.

Annual Talanoa event brings together influential Māori and Pacific thought leaders

Voices of Change

Business

Annual Talanoa event brings together influential Māori and Pacific thought leaders to discuss doing business in 2025 and beyond.

It’s Niue Language Week

This week Niue Language Week is being celebrated across Aotearoa as part of the Pacific language week series for 2025.

Emotional landscape of language revival

Communication studies

Receptive bilingualism was at the heart of Te Ipukarea researchers Dr Nogiata Tukimata & Dr Toiroa Williams presentation at PULiiMA 2025.

This week Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week is being celebrated across Aotearoa.

AUT celebrates Tuvalu Language Week 2025

Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu is being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Kristeen Karishma Chand

Working in different business units across the company is what she enjoys most about being part of KiwiRail’s graduate programme, says Kristeen Karishma Chand.

Shaye Va

Her love of the ocean is what encouraged her to study science, says Shaye Va who completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology.

Fawaz Khan

He knew he wanted to get into the construction industry right after school, says Fawaz Khan who dreams of a career in quantity surveying or project management.

Manshikha Chand

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

Tanvi Narayan

She loves her role in the brand team of NZ Wine, says Tanvi Narayan who studied both event management and finance, and graduated from AUT in 2023.

William Lotawa

He is proud to support the communities he lives in, says William Lotawa who is now a rotational occupational therapist for Te Whatu Ora – Waitemata.

Tita Leaupepe

Sport has always been a passion of hers, says Tita Leaupepe who studied a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management, followed by a Master of Business.

Fine Na’akakala ‘E Moala Aholelei

She wants to play her part in making sure that no child is left behind, says Fine Na’akakala ‘E Moala Aholelei who is currently studying a Master of Education.

Ivy Lyden-Hancy

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.

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.

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.

Crystal Verry

Studying business was an easy decision, says Crystal Verry who is studying a Bachelor of Business in Marketing with a minor in Management and Leadership.

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.

Levili Leilua

He is looking forward to contributing to the success of the New Zealand Warriors Women’s team, says Levili Leilua who recently became the team’s head trainer.

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.

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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.