Te Tari Takawaenga Māori – Māori Student Support

The first six weeks at AUT

Ngā Rā Whakaterea (days of enlightenment)

All new tauira Māori and their whānau are welcomed to AUT with a pōwhiri. The pōwhiri is followed by whānau and tauira information sessions, designed to share tips on how whānau can best support new tauira while they study at AUT and what new tauira can do to make it easier to start university.

AUTaia (Māori transition programme)

This programme is designed to help tauira adjust to life at AUT through a range of workshops that cover practical, cultural, academic and study-related advice. It also gives you the chance to meet and network with other tauira and kaimahi.

Support throughout your studies

We provide services and support for all your educational, cultural, social and personal requirements.

Email maori@aut.ac.nz to contact one of the Te Kaitakawaenga Māori (Māori Liaison Advisors).

We offer dedicated spaces for Māori students to meet others, relax or study on campus:

• City Campus: WB215-218
• North Shore: AS Level 2 and Whānau room AE101a&b
• South Campus: MB110
• Ngā Wai O Horotiu marae: WP Building (City Campus)

Tuākana Māori peer mentors

Need help with your learning and assessments? Tuākana Māori peer mentors are senior Māori students who are employed, trained and supervised by AUT to work with first-year tauira Māori to:

• Help them succeed academically
• Make them feel socially and culturally connected
• Support their overall wellbeing
• Access study resources in ways that align with students’ values, culture and style of learning

You can talk to a tuākana about everything related to being a tauira, from study tips to general advice about university life.

To make a booking email maori@aut.ac.nz with your student ID and programme of study.

Studiosity

Studiosity is a personal online help service that is available after-hours free of charge via Blackboard to provide guidance and feedback with your academic writing and support with foundation level content.

Studiosity: Free, online after-hours study help

Applying for special consideration

Visit the special consideration for an assessment page for more information.

Special consideration for an assessment

Student groups

Tītahi Ki TUA – AUT Māori Students Association offers tauira Māori a place where they can come to share ideas, share identity, draw support, meet other Māori students, and practise culture through kapahaka; all in a marae environment.

Follow Titahi Ki TUA on social media

You can meet also other tauira Māori in these students groups:

• Te Rau Kawakawa – (Māori Health student group) on Facebook
• Te Aro Ture (Māori Law student group) on Facebook
• Piki Ake Kaipakihi Māori (Māori business group)

We understand that studying can be tough on your finances. Visit us to find out how we can help with vouchers for food, petrol, other goods, rent arrears, utilities and other living expenses. Make an appointment by dropping in to City Campus WB215, North Campus AE101a, South Campus MB Level 1 or by emailing maori@aut.ac.nz.

Financial services and support for students

Scholarships and awards at AUT

Hendon Stephens is the first Māori and first male graduate of AUT’s counselling programme. He has a background in the addictions sector, and his experiences have enabled him to work in the community, with youth and within the prison systems using modalities from a narrative, CBT, solution-focused, motivational interviewing and strength-based practice.

His practice is a delicate blend of westernised and indigenous principles that represent his way of being and place in te ao Māori and Pākehā realms. This connects him to his spiritual roots and has guided him throughout his counselling practice and personal journey.

To contact Hendon email hendon.stephens@aut.ac.nz

“Mā te wairua tātou e kawe, koia rā taku mahi, kia mauritau te ākonga kia rere ki ngā taumata
My role is about healing from within, assisting tauira to find their wings so that they can fly”