Our Place in the Pacific

Making a real difference

The University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau is a global leader in teaching and research about the Pacific Islands and Ocean and further afield. Much of this stems from New Zealand and the University’s special relationships with Pacific peoples. New Zealand is commonly understood as a Pacific nation and has strong historical, cultural, social and economic ties with the Pacific Islands and the wider Asia region. These connections are why Auckland is the world’s largest Polynesian city.

With over 4,000 Pacific students, this Pacific flavour is felt strongly at the University. The University of Auckland is the largest provider of degree-level education to Pacific people in New Zealand. In addition, the University has New Zealand’s largest share of Pacific academics – in both the sense of those who trace their origin to the Pacific and those who research and teach Pacific specialities.

Most of our Pacific students and staff were born in New Zealand but originally come from other Pacific Island nations with longstanding connections to New Zealand, especially Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and Fiji.

Fale Pasifika

The University has long been a leader in New Zealand’s relationships with the Pacific Islands region and works closely with Pacific communities both in New Zealand and those elsewhere in the Pacific Islands region. Its commitment to the Pacific is reflected, inter alia, by the appointment of a Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pacific) and the Fale Pasifika (pictured right), which plays an important role as the touchpoint between the University and Pacific communities.

More than just a physical structure, it is a point of reference for activities that are central to their Pacific cultural expression and provides a sense of place and community. The government of New Zealand has recognised both Pacific student achievement and Pacific research and development as national priorities.

Ala o le Moana Pacific Strategy

The aim of the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau’s first Pacific Strategy in its history of over 140 years is to create a groundbreaking and transformational vision for guiding and celebrating Pacific excellence across all facets within the university, that closely aligns with Taumata Teitei, Toitū Waipapa and Kawea Ake. It is being developed with a strong Pacific lens to reflect the University’s commitment to our Pacific communities while reflecting their needs, values, aspirations and experiences.

The vision for the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, is Pacific excellence in the domains of research, innovation and entrepreneurship, teaching and learning, and service and leadership. The University will be globally recognised as a world leader of Pacific excellence, a transformative leader in transdisciplinarity and sustainability in the tertiary sector, and a driver of systemic intergenerational change for Pacific success.

Ala o le Moana Pacific Strategy 2025-2030