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.

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.

It’s Cook Islands Māori Language Week

This week Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki 'Airaniis being celebrated around Aotearoa.

It’s Vanuatu Bislama Language Week

This week Vanuatu Bislama Language Weekis being celebrated around Aotearoa.

Law student represents Indigenous voices

Law

AUT law student Maria Tavui Laki reflects on participating in the Expert Mechanism for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) in Switzerland.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Anna Taufao

She wakes up every day happy to be in the job she is in, says Anna Taufao who studied mathematical sciences and is now a financial crime investigator at Westpac NZ.

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).

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.

Hope Manaakitia Korewha

She loves art, says Hope Manaakitia Korewha who studied a Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata and is now enrolled in a Master of Visual Arts.

Petronilla Louisa Tamari

Deciding to study economics and finance was easy, says Petronilla Louisa Tamari who came to AUT as an international student from Papua New Guinea.

Jamon Amiga

A single university course opened her eyes to a field she hadn’t known existed and sparked a new passion, says Jamon Amiga who now works in disaster risk management.

Hannah Felise-Clarke

Watching her son struggle with mental health and addiction inspired her to understand how to offer support, says Hannah Felise-Clarke who studied health science.

Robin Leaton

He enjoys helping people return to their peak performance, says physiotherapy alumnus Robin Leaton who now leads a specialist rehabilitation clinic.

Enina Maea

For Enina Maea, her interest in paramedicine began when her grandmother was very sick with cancer and she saw what a difference a paramedic makes when people need it most.

Jeremiah Rogo

He loves his career as a lighting designer for Beca, says art and design alumnus Jeremiah Rogo who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design.

Dilon Kumar

The numerous opportunities he has access to are what he loves most about his studies, says Dilon Kumar who is completing a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Marketing.

Charles Wesley Rotoava

He chose to study construction management to develop the skills to manage construction projects effectively, says Charles Wesley Rotoava.

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.

Gloria Rapoto

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.

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.

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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.