Rainbow student support: LGBTTQIA+ services and resources
At AUT, our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, takātapui, queer, intersex, asexual or ace (LGBTTQIA+) communities are known as the rainbow community. We offer services and resources for students who identify with diverse sexual orientations, sex and gender identities.
New to AUT?
If you let us know that you're a member of the rainbow community when you applied to AUT, someone from our Rainbow Student Support team will reach out to you to talk through your needs.
Why let us know?
We offer services and resources for students who identify with diverse sexual orientations, sexes and gender identities. AUT is a Pride Pledge university, and we have a dedicated Rainbow Student Support team, rainbow safe spaces, and student clubs and networks we can connect you to.
Connect with Rainbow Student Support
Rainbow community events
Our Rainbow Student Support team offers a range of rainbow community activities for AUT students to meet and connect with each other.
Services and facilities for AUT’s rainbow community
We have a rainbow safe space on each of our campuses; a great place for you to hang out and use as a study area.
Where to find the rainbow safe spaces
- City Campus: Level 2, WB building, room 215
- North Campus: Library, Level 1, AL building
- South Campus: Student Hub, Level 1, MB building
We hold a get together every semester for the rainbow community at AUT to have an opportunity to network and socialise.
This is open to students, staff, and allies.
Find out what’s going on
To see dates and other details:
- Check the AUT App
- Follow us on Instagram
We offer confidential access to free gender-affirming clothing and other essential needs.
We also welcome clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities generously donated by the community.
Where to find the rainbow community closet
City Campus
Level 1 WB building
This service is currently only accessible at the City Campus rainbow room.
If you’re a current AUT student and need assistance with completing a name change application, download the name change process document below.
All AUT campuses have all gender bathrooms.
Below are several resources for the rainbow community.
Your Ex Magazine
Your Ex Magazine has been New Zealand’s leading LGBTQ+ media since 1992. Check out their website for more information about their print and online magazine, and social media presence.
Rainbow Auckland (formerly GABA)
Since 1984, Rainbow Auckland has been New Zealand’s largest LGBTQI+ membership association providing support and advocacy on human rights issues for the rainbow community.
Regular networking mixer events are held throughout the year on the first Wednesday of every month. For up-to-date information on these and other events, check out their events page and follow them on Facebook.
Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust
The Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust has a long history of giving back to the LGBTTQIA+ community, including scholarships for rainbow students.
Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust website
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa
The Burnett Foundation Aotearoa has lots of useful info on safe sex and HIV/AIDS.
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa website
Rainbow Youth
This Auckland-based organisation offers support, information, resources and advocacy for rainbow people up to 27 years old.
OUTLine
OUTLine offers free phone and email counselling for rainbow people
InsideOUT
This national charity works to make Aotearoa safer for all rainbow young people through resources, workshops, consulting, advocacy, and support.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa
This national transgender organisation is run by and for transgender people; including binary and non-binary, intersex and irawhiti takatāpui.
Gender Minorities Aotearoa website
Village Collective
This is a South Auckland-based organisation for rainbow Pacific people
Meet your Student Inclusion Manager (Rainbow)
Elim Ahlers (he/they) is AUT’s Student Inclusion Manager (Rainbow) and leads the Rainbow Student Support team in fostering a safe and inclusive campus for our rainbow community, strengthening our ability to provide comprehensive student support and deepening our expertise in intersectionality.
Elim’s background is in rainbow mental health and community-centred design. They're passionate about community-led practices and creating a welcoming environment that encourages curiosity, joy and resilience. They strongly believe that a sense of belonging and community is at the core of wellbeing, and they're excited to bring this perspective to their role.
As an AUT graduate and former teaching assistant, Elim understands the challenges you may face, from the stress of assignments to the process of transitioning while studying. With an Irish and Northern Cheyenne heritage, Elim grew up in England’s West Country. He loves opera, Star Trek and cloud physics.
If you're looking for support, whether it be wellbeing, financial or academic support, or if you're transitioning, pop into the City Campus Rainbow Room for a chat or book an appointment.
Rainbow student services support team
We have a dedicated rainbow team to support you at AUT. Our role is to:
- Support AUT’s rainbow students throughout their student journey
- Enable social inclusion through student clubs and networks
- Provide opportunities for rainbow students to participate and be involved in events and initiatives that actively promote rainbow inclusion and diversity
- Connect students with other services both internal and external to AUT
- Training and workshops to strengthen the understanding of both staff and students about the rainbow community
- Work collaboratively with various rainbow stakeholders for the benefit of AUT students
Book an appointment with us
As a current AUT student, you can see us for a wide range of support, including:
- Academic support
- Financial assistance
- Personal/wellbeing concerns (this may involve topics around gender and sexuality)
- Transitioning process
- External supports/linkages
These appointments last about 45 minutes so we can take the time to work on the best outcome for you. For any quick query just pop in the Student Hub and someone will help you.
You can make a booking using the AUT App or My AUT as well as view our advisors profiles.
Safe sex and sexual health
If you’re sexually active, it’s important that you protect your health and that of your partner/s from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
For any questions contact:
Other support services
Grow your career with a rainbow mentor
The AUT Rainbow Career Mentorship Programme connects you with industry mentors to help you build confidence and expand your professional network in a supportive environment.
Contact us
To get in touch with our Rainbow Student Support team send us an email. You can also follow us on Instagram.
Email: rainbow@aut.ac.nz
Out@AUT student network: events and updates
Out@AUT is an an active, social student club that meets weekly, providing a friendly and accepting environment to all members. Check their Facebook group for upcoming events and updates.
Legal rights of rainbow people in NZ
In New Zealand, rainbow people have legal rights to live freely as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, takātapui, queer, intersex, asexual or ace, or questioning. The Human Rights Act 1993 outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender. The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill 2013 enables adult couples of any gender to marry, including same-sex and different sex couples.