Solomone (Mone) Kaloni Timani
3rd-year student, Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
Solomone (Mone) Kaloni Timani came to AUT with a powerful mission: to ease the burden diabetes places on Tongan families by sharing the knowledge from his Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry).
“Raised in Tonga as the eldest of seven children, I learned responsibility early and saw first-hand how diabetes affects Tongan families and communities. While working as a nurse at Vaiola Hospital’s National Diabetes Centre, I witnessed too many preventable lower-limb amputations. Because Tonga still has limited podiatry expertise and no fully integrated wound-care pathway, I felt called to deepen my skills in this young but crucial field.
“Once I graduate, I plan to return to Tonga and serve in high-risk foot care, blending the nursing experience I already have with the podiatry knowledge I’m gaining at AUT. I want to deepen my expertise in evidence-based wound management to help build practical, culturally grounded services that prevent avoidable amputations. If I can ease even a small part of the burden diabetes places on Tongan families, I’ll consider my training successful.”
Receiving the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship to study podiatry at AUT has been life-changing, he says.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity. I see this path not as a solo achievement but as a way of honouring God, repaying the investment of the Manaaki Scholarship and giving back to my wife and newborn daughter, my parents, five sisters and brother, whose love drives me each day.”
The right university environment
He would recommend studying at AUT without hesitation, says Mone who is now in the third year of his studies.
“I appreciate how accessible and genuinely caring the AUT staff are. From the first week I could walk into a lecturer’s office, ask questions after class or email them questions. I felt heard and encouraged every time. AUT’s support services, including the Manaaki Scholarship team, the library and student learning advisors, and the Pacific student support team, work together like a safety net. For example, the library workshops on referencing, paraphrasing and database searching helped to sharpen my academic writing, while the loan-laptop scheme removed a financial worry and let me focus on learning.
“I treasure the strong sense of village that AUT nurtures and am impressed by AUT’s commitment to honouring every culture and faith on campus while still challenging us academically. That balance has allowed me to grow professionally, deepen my Christian values and build friendships across the Pacific and beyond. Pacific student gatherings, faith-based student groups and faculty talanoa sessions give me spaces to celebrate culture and deepen my Christian walk without feeling I must trade identity for education.”
Beyond the support, he also enjoys how the theory he is learning is linked to real-world podiatry practice.
“Working in simulation labs, practising musculoskeletal assessments and learning advanced wound-dressing techniques remind me daily why this profession matters for Pasifika communities. Each skill I master feels like a step toward serving my family and country. Not only that, studying within a diverse cohort has deepened my perspective. Class discussions often draw on different cultural views of health, and that inclusive atmosphere reinforces my Christian values of humility and service. Altogether, these experiences make my AUT journey both academically rewarding and personally transformative.”
Advice for other students
Expecting to graduate later this year, Mone has some great advice for other students.
“Remember why you started. Write your purpose on paper and keep it where you study; on difficult days it will steady your mind and heart. Use the help that is offered. From the library to student learning support, and from the Scholarship Office to the Student Medical Centre, AUT is rich in people who want you to succeed. Asking early is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.
“Build a circle of support. Choose friends who celebrate both your culture and your growth - whether they come from the Pacific region, Asia or Africa - and be as encouraging in return. Don’t forget to balance study with your wellbeing. I always said that education is only a part of life; there are other aspects of life that also need our attention. Protect time for faith, family, exercise and sleep; knowledge settles best in a rested brain and a peaceful spirit. My Christian walk, regular prayer and my family’s love have kept me grounded through surgery, study and new fatherhood.”
His final piece of advice is to share what you learn.
“For Pacific students especially, new fields like podiatry offer powerful ways to serve our islands, and telling our stories may inspire the next sister or brother to follow. In everything, stay humble, work diligently and give thanks for the doors that open because each success is both a gift and an opportunity to lift others.”
