Pacific at AUT

This is your central hub for all things Pacific at AUT. Here you will hear stories of our staff and students at AUT, discover our engagement with communities, and learn more of the research that impacts the lives of our Pacific people.

Office of Pacific Advancement

Support at AUT

Whether you're a Pacific student, Pacific staff member or a part of our wider Pacific community, the Office of Pacific Advancement has been set up to champion all things Pacific here 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 Taunga dedicated to supporting Pacific students across all three campuses. From academic and financial support to pastoral care and food, our Vā Pasifika spaces exist to help every Pacific student throughout their university journey.

Six New Kaihoe Join AUT's Eke Tangaroa

AUT welcomes six new Kaihoe to Eke Tangaroa, a key initiative supporting Māori and Pacific academics' growth and success within the University.

Tonga’s future lives in its villages

Te Ara Poutama: Māori and indigenous development

Connections between a remote Tongan village and its expats in South Auckland is the subject of a new documentary being made at AUT.

Rift highlights drivers of foreign aid

Law

The NZ-Kiribati diplomatic rift shows how personalities and misunderstanding can often drive foreign policy and aid, says AUT Law School’s Sione Tekiteki.

Climate change exhibition at AUT

An acclaimed exhibition that showcases the devastating impacts of climate change in the Pacific is being held at AUT.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Kenza Taele

She has long been interested in sport physiotherapy, says Kenza Taele, a passionate netballer and Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) student.

Husna Akbar

She has always been fascinated by the way humans think and behave, says Husna Akbar who studied a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice & Psychology.

Scott Woodford

He loves being able to support the sport he loves through his work, says Scott Woodford who is based in the FIFA Regional Development Office in Auckland.

Avikash (Avi) Chandra

Embarking on the MBA journey was one of the best decisions of his life, says Avikash (Avi) Chandra who is now the national operations manager at Downer NZ.

Kelepi Liava'a

He has always been passionate about people, says Kelepi Liava’a who studied human resource management and employment relations, and marketing.

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila

What he loves most about being an artist is when people connect with his work, says Kalisolaite ‘Uhila who is now an award-winning performance artist.

Luna-Rossa Lomitusi-Ape

Studying engineering was the obvious choice for her, says Luna-Rossa Lomitusi-Ape who came to AUT from Samoa to study an electrical engineering degree.

Kilakupa Marryanne Gulo-Vui

She wanted to play a part in Papua New Guinea’s developing ICT sector, says Kilakupa Marryanne Gulo-Vui who came to AUT as an international student.

Etienne Tapueluelu

He has always been interested in business, says Etienne Tapueluelu who completed a Bachelor of Business in 2020, followed by a Master of Business.

Nimo Meleisea

Nimo Meleisea realised early on what a positive impact her knowledge of Samoan and English can have. Years later, interpreting is an important part of her job.

Jordan Salesa

It’s a privilege to be working with athletes at the top of their careers, says Jordan Salesa who has worked with some of the best athletes in the world.

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.

Angee Nicholas

She had long been interested in politics and the law, says Angee Nicholas who studied a Bachelor of Laws and has since established a career in law and politics.

Rachel Takoar

She wants to help her home country build a strong digital health system, says Rachel Takoar who came to AUT from Vanuatu to study computer sciences.

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.

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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.