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.

Vā Pasifika - 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.

It’s Tonga Language Week

This week Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week is being celebrated around Aotearoa.

From village to screen: Telling the story of marine conservation in Tonga

Te Ara Poutama: Māori and indigenous development

A team of Indigenous filmmakers is co-creating documentaries about community-managed marine areas with villages in Tonga.

WIPCE 2025 recognised at NZEA awards

Te Ara Poutama: Māori and indigenous development

WIPCE 2025 has won Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event of the Year at the NZEA New Zealand Event Awards 2026.

First Pacific Professor of Pacific ECE

Education

AUT’s Professor Jacoba Matapo has become the world’s first Pacific Professor of Pacific Early Childhood Education.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Anusha Bali

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.

Hope Te Aka Hana

She chose to study criminology and Māori development because she was determined to challenge the statistics and stereotypes that too often define Māori, says Hope Te Aka Hana.

Joshua Turia

He first discovered AUT and the geospatial science programme when he attended a regional GIS conference hosted by the university, says Joshua Turia.

Amberleigh-Brooke Faumuina Pouterata Pountney

When Amberleigh-Brooke Faumuina Pouterata Pountney started learning New Zealand Sign Language, little did she know this would inspire a whole new career.

Rachel Suesue

Caring for her family through illness sparked her passion for wanting to help others, says Rachel Suesue who studied a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing).

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.

Xaeda Dilirang Hokulele Ikertang

Her studies will help her contribute to her home country Palau in meaningful ways, says Xaeda Dilirang Hokulele Ikertang who is studying mechanical engineering.

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.

Zak Tulua

He would love to see more culturally diverse events in his home community of Ōtara in South Auckland, says Zak Tulua who is studying event management.

Namulau’ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele

Technology is for people, says computing alumna Namulau’ulu Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele who was named Young New Zealander of the Year 2025.

Faith Tua

Business suits the way she thinks, says Faith Tua who is studying a Bachelor of Business in Finance and Information Systems.

Bhavna Prakash

Her lecturers were the highlight of her time at AUT, says Bhavna Prakash who studied a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in international hospitality management.

Caleb Jasmat

He believes that he has one of the coolest and most impactful roles in his company, says business alumnus Caleb Jasmat who is now the early career lead at Contact Energy.

Lealani Siaosi

What she loved most about her studies was the practical teaching approach, says Lealani Siaosi who studied a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Television and Screen Production.

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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.