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.

This week Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week is being celebrated across Aotearoa.

AUT celebrates Tuvalu Language Week 2025

Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu is being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

Unity elusive at Pacific Islands Forum

Law

The Pacific Islands Forum has wrapped up its annual leaders' meeting with some significant agreements - but integration remains a contested term.

Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week

Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wikis being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

AUT celebrates Tonga Language Week

Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga is being celebrated across Aotearoa this week.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Kim Keromen

She has always loved events and tourism, says Kim Keromen who came to AUT as an international student from Tahiti in French Polynesia, and is studying a Bachelor of Arts.

Ledwina Katuke

Her interest in holistic wellbeing inspired her to study a Bachelor of Health Science, says Ledwina Katuke who is currently in the third year of her degree.

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.

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.

Longo Matangi

She loves making a positive difference to Māori and Pacific communities, says Longo Matangi who completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Health Management in mid-2024.

Jordan Christian Saimasi-Mika

There is something special about AUT, says Jordan Christian Saimasi-Mika who came to AUT to study computer and information sciences and business management.

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.

Tanvi Narayan

She loves her role in the brand team of NZ Wine, says Tanvi Narayan who studied both event management and finance, and graduated from AUT in 2023.

Tita Leaupepe

Sport has always been a passion of hers, says Tita Leaupepe who studied a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management, followed by a Master of Business.

Marie Loraine Esekielu

She had always wanted to gain a uni qualification to repay her parents for their hard work, says Marie Loraine Esekielu who came to AUT as an adult student.

Kahlen Gray

She felt nervous about starting university, says Kahlen Gray who began her AUT journey by with UniPrep before starting her Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching).

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.

Kiana Danby

She is proud of where she is in her career, says Kiana Danby who completed a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and now works as a marketing executive for Hanlon Plumbing Ltd.

Kelepi Liava'a

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

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.