Giving to AUT

A gift to AUT is an investment in a vibrant and diverse university, one committed to making education broadly accessible to a student body that represents New Zealand society.

Our generous donors enable us to nurture students in a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment. They support our goal to create great graduates who will go into the world and apply knowledge for wellbeing and prosperity, challenge thinking and tackle social, environmental, business and political issues.

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Our stories: generosity making an impact

New programme to benefit student nursesIn a new partnership, AUT and Southern Cross Health Trust are offering student nurses support as they navigate their studies and clinical placements.

Launched today, the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is offering 17 scholarships to AUT students for the 2025 academic year, while every first-year student – likely to be more than 400 – will be supplied with vouchers worth around $300 each to pay for nursing uniforms and shoes.

In a new partnership, AUT and Southern Cross Health Trust are offering student nurses support as they navigate their studies and clinical placements.

Launched today, the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship is offering 17 scholarships to AUT students for the 2025 academic year, while every first-year student – likely to be more than 400 – will be supplied with vouchers worth around $300 each to pay for nursing uniforms and shoes.

Ethical hacker changing the face of cybersecurityA desire to improve things is the ethos behind Electric Kiwi, and their support of a unique Women in STEM Scholarship at AUT.

The independent energy company has supported an AUT student for the last two years and the 2023 recipient of the Electric Kiwi Women in STEM Scholarship is Sarah Manikam.

A desire to improve things is the ethos behind Electric Kiwi, and their support of a unique Women in STEM Scholarship at AUT.

The independent energy company has supported an AUT student for the last two years and the 2023 recipient of the Electric Kiwi Women in STEM Scholarship is Sarah Manikam.

Overcoming New Zealand’s Midwife ShortageIn communities throughout New Zealand, the critical shortage of midwives is having a profound impact. According to the Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora Health Workforce Plan 2023/24, New Zealand needs to triple the number of midwives it trains for four years to address the current workforce deficit, with a particular need for Māori and Pacific midwifery students.

In communities throughout New Zealand, the critical shortage of midwives is having a profound impact. According to the Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora Health Workforce Plan 2023/24, New Zealand needs to triple the number of midwives it trains for four years to address the current workforce deficit, with a particular need for Māori and Pacific midwifery students.

Upgraded Gait Lab Supports NZ ChildrenSince its establishment over 10 years ago the AUT Gait Lab, home of the National Clinical Gait Analysis Service run in conjunction with Starship Child Health, has assessed thousands of children and young people with complex walking issues ahead of treatment or surgery.

Every year AUT’s Gait Lab helps more than 100 children from all over New Zealand with conditions and movement disorders such as cerebral palsy, acquired or traumatic brain injury and spinal cord impairment who are being considered for complex procedures and surgery.

Since its establishment over 10 years ago the AUT Gait Lab, home of the National Clinical Gait Analysis Service run in conjunction with Starship Child Health, has assessed thousands of children and young people with complex walking issues ahead of treatment or surgery.

Every year AUT’s Gait Lab helps more than 100 children from all over New Zealand with conditions and movement disorders such as cerebral palsy, acquired or traumatic brain injury and spinal cord impairment who are being considered for complex procedures and surgery.

Vital help for those living with MSA new online programme led by AUT researcher Gilly Davy is going to be piloted thanks to two years of funding from the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust (NZMSRT).

The MS Get a Head Start (MSGHS) programme was developed to provide exercises and education for people with MS. Since 2013, it has been used in clinical settings for people living with MS in both individual and group therapy.A new online programme led by AUT researcher Gilly Davy is going to be piloted thanks to two years of funding from the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust (NZMSRT).

The MS Get a Head Start (MSGHS) programme was developed to provide exercises and education for people with MS. Since 2013, it has been used in clinical settings for people living with MS in both individual and group therapy.

Hear from our scholarship recipients

Nadia Liebert

Kaitaia’s Nadia Liebert won’t have a huge debt after completing her Bachelor of Business in Finance and International Business, thanks to her AUT Woolf-Fisher First-in-Family scholarship. “I cried on the phone when I got the call confirming I’d received it! This has absolutely changed my time at university and I could graduate without a student loan.”

Taylah Sykes-Martin

Sport is Taylah’s passion, and while completing her Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management she was awarded a scholarship for a New York-based internship with Kiwi-American executive and entrepreneur Sarah Robb O’Hagan. “I’m very excited to develop new skills and new insights into sport management through this internship.”

Sarah Bowyer

Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Criminology graduate Sarah Bowyer came to AUT to challenge and share her beliefs about crime, punishment and rehabilitation. Now a Court Registry Officer, she says: “The Woolf Fisher Trust paid for my course fees for three years and Kea supported me with a mentor from the New Zealand Police.”

Alannah Wesche

Alannah’s scholarship to study nursing at AUT opened many doors, she says. It freed her up financially, but also unearthed a network of fellow scholars who have supported the charity she set up, GEE Nepal, which empowers girls through education. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from AUT. Their generosity has made a huge difference.”

Irra Lee

Journalism student Irra Lee says her scholarship has taken the pressure off in her communication studies degree, allowing her to avoid a big loan and thus focus on other things. A local body politics enthusiast, Irra volunteers for her local youth council. “I like to tell stories about youth doing amazing things.”

Joshua Pereira

When talented tennis player Joshua Pereira suffered an injury, the former NZ rep for the sport decided to focus on his education. With a scholarship to study a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, he feels his hard work was worth it and is excited about the leadership contribution he plans to make in sport. “It’s paid off for something in the end – something cool.”

Kinanti Desyanandini

A Bachelor of Design graduate, Kinanti had already designed and developed her own app before leaving AUT and was thrilled to get the chance to study abroad during her degree. “The biggest thing my scholarship allowed me to do was to save up to study in Germany in my second year, at the International School of Design in Köln – they are pioneers in service design.”

Ruth Stowers

Bachelor of Laws student and arts lover Ruth Stowers represented AUT as a delegate to the 9th University Scholars’ Leaders Symposium with Humanitarian Affairs Asia in Thailand. “I definitely wouldn’t be where I am, and with the sense of purpose I have today, without this scholarship.”

Samuel Verlinden

“By my second birthday I was singing happy birthday to myself louder than anyone else,” says talented musician Sam Verlinden. He graduated with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in radio. “My scholarship has alleviated a lot of pressure, and it’s a huge honour to be able to represent AUT and immerse myself in the Scholars’ Society.”

Shae Parsons-Wanoa

Entering her final year of her conjoint business and communication studies degree, Shae reflected on the value of her scholarship. “Apart from the obvious - removing the hardship - it’s also inspired me to work hard at university and connect with likeminded people. I’ve been lucky to have lots of opportunities during my time at AUT.”