Pacific at AUT

05/06/2026

Fa'afetai tele lava to all who joined us for Samoan Language Week at AUT 🇼🇸. We began with a Faigalotu and Ava ceremony, honouring the spiritual and cultural foundations at the heart of Samoa, setting the tone for a full week of trying, teaching, honouring, and celebrating the Gagana Samoa and the rich culture it carries.

Special thanks to the AUT Samoan Student Association for leading many of our celebrations across campus.

In the spirit of this year's theme 'E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu'u', "From the high mountains are the blessings of the village" — may we continue to uplift and carry the Gagana Samoa.

31/05/2026

🇼🇸 Happy Samoa Language Week!

Anchored in this year's theme — "'E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu'u — From the high mountains are the blessings of the village" — AUT Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences student Julius Netzler shares what receiving the pe'a, the traditional tatau of Samoan men, also known as the malofie, means to him.

A reminder that our blessings, knowledge, and identity are rooted in these "mountains" — our ancestors, leaders, culture, and faith. Passed down through generations, they remain a living source for us to return to, draw strength from, and continue to explore.

Like the mountains, may we all stand tall in our identity, our service, and our culture. Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! 🏔️

10/05/2026

Noi ia e Mauri! Ḁlalum ˈäe ˈe gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm teˈis! - Happy Rotuman Language Week!

The theme of Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta 2026 is "Ȧf'ȧk, putua, a'pumuạ'ȧk ma rak'ȧk 'os fäega ma 'os ag fak Rotuma, la se maoen 'e 'os tore" - treasure, nurture and teach our Rotuman language and culture so it may live on through generations.

These four AUT students represent something bigger than themselves — a community keeping its language and culture alive, here in Aotearoa.

04/03/2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships!

Funded by the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand and MFAT, this scholarship supports individuals from the Pacific to pursue tertiary study that grows leadership, strengthens communities, and creates sustainable futures.

We invite all eligible to apply and nominate Auckland University of Technology as their provider. We’re excited to welcome Manaaki scholars to our campus in February 2027 and are committed to supporting each student on their academic and leadership journey.

more details below.
https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships-and-awards-at-aut/manaaki-new-zealand-government-scholarships

17/02/2026

Semester 1 has arrived❗️

Last Saturday we opened Orientation Week with Pacific Connections Day, welcoming our first-year students and their families into our AUT Pacific aiga. We shared a glimpse into university life, but more importantly, began building connections that will carry us through the years ahead.

The day also gave students and families the chance to meet the team behind Vā Pasifika, our dedicated Pacific student support service who will be walking alongside them with mentoring, academic guidance, and wellbeing support throughout their journey 🛶🌊

Special thanks to AUT Student hub (South), AUT Schools and Community Partnerships, AUT Business, Economics & Law and our Student reps for supporting this special day 🌺.

09/12/2025

📸 Calling all AUT Pacific graduands!�AUT Office of Pacific Advancement is hosting a free professional photoshoot to celebrate you! 🎓✨

🗓 Tue 16 & Wed 17 Dec
⏰ 10:30am – 5pm
📍 Vā Pasifika, City Campus (Level 3, WA Building)

Bring your family & friends! We'll have a chill zone with food and drinks for your support crew. Spots are limited, so make sure you register early.

🔗 https://forms.office.com/r/sgHsLnR24N

24/11/2025

Happy Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week — Solomon Aelan Pijin Langguis Wik!

This year's theme: "Protektim langguis an kalsa blong yumi - Protect our language and culture"

The Solomon Islands is made up of very diverse cultures, languages and customs. There are more than 70 indigenous languages and dialects. Although English is the official language, Solomon Islands Pidgin is the lingua franca.

Associate Professor Kabini Sanga is from East Malaita in the Solomon Islands. We were fortunate enough to spend some time with him and other leaders last week during

28/10/2025

"Tokelau, Puaki mai ko tau aganuku mo fanau i te lumanaki"
"Tokelau, unleash your culture for future generations."

For Tokelau Language Week, we visited Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata and connected with AUT alumna Estella Rimoni from Fakaofo, Tokelau. Estella shares her hope for the next generation — that Tokelau youth continue to carry their culture with pride, taking it with them into every space and place they journey across the world.

01/10/2025

"Fakatumau kae fakaakoi tau ‘gana ke mautu a iloga o ‘ta tuā"

Fakatumau kae fakaakoi tau ‘gana ke mautu a iloga o ‘ta tuā means 'preserve and embrace your language to safeguard our heritage identities'.

Freda talks about the importance of culture and language to connect and help those around us.

This year’s theme for Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week is Fakatumau kae fakaakoi tau ‘gana ke mautu a iloga o ‘ta tuāFakatumau kae fakaakoi tau...

30/09/2025

It’s Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu 🇹🇻

Scenes from the Niutao community in Auckland, where first-year student Tinoaki Sione Sio welcomed us to “Setema – Te A*o E Fakamanatu, Te Tuuga Ote Falesaa”, a day that brings Niutao families and elders together to celebrate the building of their island’s first Church of Christ.

🇹🇻