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.

"Oceania is vast, Oceania is expanding, Oceania is hospitable and generous, Oceania is humanity rising from the depths of brine and regions of fire deeper still, Oceania is us. We are the sea. We are the ocean." - Epeli Hau'ofa

News from AUT’s Pacific community

AUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa and Fellow & Oriel College Director of Development Mr Marco Zhang

Oxford's Oriel College awards AUT VC

Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa has been recognised by Oxford University

UniPrep at AUT’s South Campus in Manukau

A head start on life at university

Highschool leavers set to receive NCEA results next week, AUT’s message for Māori, Pacific and other students is tertiary education is within reach via AUT

Dianne, Tracy and Dolby smiling at the camera amongst festival goers people sitting at tables under large shade sails.

Learning better food systems in Nouméa

Hospitality, tourism and events

Two AUT gastronomy students have visited New Caledonia to learn about resilient and sustainable food systems.

Samoa-based alumni meet AUT leader

AUT leaders celebrated the achievements of Samoan graduates at an alumni event in Samoa.

Pacific staff at AUT

AUT is a vibrant, diverse and supportive organisation for work and study. You can find Pacific staff in positions of responsibility right across all departments at AUT. In this section, some of our Pacific staff share their stories.

Our staff

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.

Tara Gagamoe

She decided to study both business and arts as it scratched both sides of her brain, says Tara Gagamoe who is studying degrees in accounting and criminology.

Va’a Magalogo

Movies and TV shows have always amazed him, says Va’a Magalogo who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Screen Production & Radio and Audio Media.

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.

Jerry Wells Hagaria

His goal is to help communities reduce disaster and climate risks, says Jerry Wells Hagaria who came to AUT from the Solomon Islands to study health sciences.

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.

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.

Tara Tui

For Tara Tui, it was a personal tragedy that made her realise that she was destined for a career in nursing and inspired her to enrol in a nursing degree.

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.

Pareura Katoa (PJ)

He decided to take on the Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise to gain new knowledge for his career, says Pareura Katoa (PJ) who works for the NZDF.

Talaiasi Lyndon ‘Ofamo‘oni

He wanted to be the best teacher he could be for his students, says Talaiasi Lyndon ‘Ofamo‘oni who came to AUT to study a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching.

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.

Claudette Herman

Growing up, she didn’t know many lawyers who looked like her, says AUT law alumna Claudette Herman who is now working as a solicitor at Wells & Co.

Moeakiola Fa’e

He wanted to understand how and why individuals think and behave in a certain manner, says Moeakiola Fa’e who came to AUT to study a psychology degree.

Bailey Palala

He loves his job, says Bailey Palala who studied a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio and is now the announcer for Mai FM’s night show Mai Hot 20.

Grace Ulu

She genuinely loved her communication studies degree, says Grace Ulu, who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations.

View all

Contact details

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

You can also follow us on Facebook.

Office of Pacific Advancement

We’re committed to the wellbeing and success of Pacific communities at AUT and beyond. Our programmes and initiatives cover the student and staff experience, academic research development, impact and engagement, advocacy, and community-based collaborations and partnerships.

Student support

AUT offers a wide range of support for students and students can also be a part of the Oceanian Leadership Network. We also offer a number of scholarships for secondary school students, including the AUT Find Your Greatness Scholarships for Pacific students.

UniPrep programme

UniPrep is a five-week programme designed to make it easy for high school students to transition into university life. You’ll meet other high school students, as well as a wide support team of navigators who are current university students.