My spirit - spiritual wellbeing

Taha wairua is your spiritual wellbeing. For some it means religious faith, for others it is an observation of cultural traditions, but spirituality is much more than that. It is an expression of who you are, what you believe in and how you wish to relate to the world.

Your faith

If you are religious, practising your faith can give you a sense of belonging and guide you in your everyday life.

It doesn’t matter how you choose to practice, if you attend a place of worship regularly or not. If your faith brings you peace and helps you find meaning, then you are doing it right.

Religious communities often organise fundraising events or community programmes. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in something bigger than yourself.

Your culture

Understanding where you come from, the stories of your ancestors, the traditions of your people and the influence that they had in shaping your experiences will help you find a home wherever you are.

Find ways to celebrate your culture and your history because they will always be part of you. You could cook a dish that reminds you of home, share stories or music with friends, find opportunities to speak your language, or attend cultural festivals.

Being curious about others’ culture will help you make friends and discover your own place in the world.

Your identity

Knowing yourself is always the most powerful form of confidence. It is easier to follow your own path and be well when you have a strong sense of who you are.

Explore, take – reasonable – risks, ask questions, learn new things. University is an ideal time to discover yourself and break out from the mould. Don’t try to be different for the sake of it. Your goal shouldn’t be to stand out, but to be you.

AUT is an inclusive and equitable learning environment which enables all students to achieve fully.

AUT offers dedicated services for:

Your mindfulness

Spirituality is a very personal journey and it can be really simple. Read a book, spend time to reflect on a complex topic, connect with nature, explore your creativity or try a mindfulness activity.

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where you are and how you are feeling without being distracted by what is going on around you. It is a quality we all naturally possess but practicing it regularly will help you feel more focused.

Simple mindfulness activities like meditation or yoga can help with stress, insomnia, low mood, or lack of motivation.

Multifaith and spiritual support

Multifaith and spiritual support

Find a prayer room or get in touch with one of AUT’s chaplains
Te Tari Takawaenga Māori

Te Tari Takawaenga Māori

Support for Māori students
International students

International students

Get advice about adapting to living and studying in New Zealand

Bright Side
Design Your Life

Paddle away

Create your own playbook for setting your vision and achieving life goals, how to live a life of balance, developing resilience in the face of setbacks, and feel a sense of value and meaning from the areas you dedicate your time and energy to.

Learn more