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.

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.

Fireworks above the Aotea Centre on November 16 for WIPCE 2025.

Thousands gather for WIPCE 2025

Te Ara Poutama: Māori and indigenous development

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, welcomed more than 3000 Indigenous knowledge holders, educators and leaders from across the globe in a powerful pōwhiri hosted at The Cloud...

Artwork for Te Ao Pūtahi. Red and orang hues, showing the sun rising over Rangitoto and the city of Auckland.

Indigenous festival hits Auckland

Te Ara Poutama: Māori and indigenous development

Landing in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Ao Pūtahi Festival will transform Aotea Square into a living Indigenous village.

It’s Tokelau Language Week

An AUT alumna shares her hope for the future as part of Tokelau Language Week 2025.

Annual Talanoa event brings together influential Māori and Pacific thought leaders

Voices of Change

Business

Annual Talanoa event brings together influential Māori and Pacific thought leaders to discuss doing business in 2025 and beyond.

Meet some of our Pacific students

Wairua Taru Grant Pukeiti

He wanted a career where he can make a difference to his people, says Wairua Taru Grant Pukeiti who studied criminology, Māori development and law at AUT.

Monique Oyagawa

There have been many pinch-me moments since she joined Remix Magazine in 2021 as part of her AUT business workplace experience, says Monique Oyagawa.

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.

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.

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.

Phoenix Petelo

From a young age he has been deeply fascinated by the core sciences, says Phoenix Petelo who is studying a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biological Science.

Manshikha Chand

Computers have always fascinated her, says Manshikha Chand, an international student from Fiji who is now studying networks and cybersecurity, and accounting.

Claudine Nalesu

Through her PhD research in creative technologies she can explore sustainable methods and materials, says Doctor of Philosophy student Claudine Nalesu.

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.

Caleb Jasmat

He believes that he has one of the coolest and most impactful roles in his company, says business alumnus Caleb Jasmat who is now the early career lead at Contact Energy.

Robin Leaton

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

Malia Siufanga

Hospitality has always been her passion, says Malia Siufanga who is studying a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management in Hospitality Management.

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.

Fawaz Khan

He knew he wanted to get into the construction industry right after school, says Fawaz Khan who dreams of a career in quantity surveying or project management.

View all

Contact details

You can get in touch by emailing pacific@aut.ac.nz.

You can also follow us:

Instagram

Facebook

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.