Future Students of AUT

Career advisors play a huge role in shaping what comes next for students, so getting them together matters.

Recently, our City Campus hosted the annual Career Advisors’ Update Day, welcoming over 90 advisors from across the region, including Northland and Waikato.

A day all about connection, conversation and how we’re supporting students to make confident choices beyond school.

Advisors heard from teams across engineering, hospitality, medical laboratory science, sport and university entrance, with standout moments including Dr Daniel Koning's highly praised engineering session and a Kai Tahi lunch brought to life with waiata from Tītahi ki Tua.

By staying closely connected with career advisors, we’re strengthening the bridge between secondary school and tertiary study, and backing students with the knowledge they need to move forward with confidence.

Last week we welcomed Year 11& 12 tauira from seven Tāmaki Makaurau schools to begin their journey in the 2026 Iti Kōpara Schools Partnership Programme at AUT.

Iti Kōpara is a free, multi-year initiative supporting Māori and Pacific learners to build confidence, strengthen NCEA achievement and prepare for university study through culturally grounded support and early exposure to tertiary life.

The day opened with a pōwhiri on Ngā Wai o Horotiu Marae, where Renae Ruffell-Kingi (Ōtāhuhu College) stepped forward as Kaikaranga and Asher Te Oranga Basil (Ormiston Senior College) represented the ākonga as Kaikōrero – me mihi ka tika ki a rāua.

From keynote speakers to whakawhanaungatanga sessions, it was a powerful start to the year ahead. We’re excited to walk alongside these rangatahi on their journey. ✨

To every NCEA student across Aotearoa refreshing their inbox today – we see you! All the late nights, the effort, the grit! This is just the beginning 🔥Your next chapter starts now and we'd be honoured to be a part of that journey!

Congratulations on making it through exam season🥹Now it’s time to soak up some sun, you’ve earned it! Take a moment to refresh, reflect and get ready for UP26. We can’t wait to see you next year! ☀️

What a start to our very first annual Aspire Day 2025! ✨

Last month, we had the privilege of welcoming Year 13 Māori and Pacific students from across Tāmaki Makaurau to our AUT South Campus for a day of connection and inspiration.

An absolute privilege to kick off the day with writer and teacher David Riley aka The Reading Warrior who brought warmth, wisdom and energy to our morning workshop, inspiring students through the importance of storytelling and the power of owning your voice.

Students took part in hands-on sessions, explored career pathways, and were uplifted by the voices of our alumni panel speakers, who shared their journeys of study, identity and industry.

From impactful kōrero, to hands-on workshops that brought future career pathways to life, the energy and tautoko in the room was unmatched!

This year’s theme, Mana Māori and Mana Moana, reminded us of the strength found in our identities and the power of backing ourselves for the journey ahead.

Ngā mihi to everyone who made the day so special. The future is in good hands. 🌊

Thank you to our brilliant panellists from AUT and Science Gallery Melbourne, and the high school students in New Zealand and Australia who recently joined our livestreamed, Trans-Tasman discussion on the AI Revolution and how it might shape future careers. 💡💻 🧠

Couldn't make it? Check out what you missed 👉 https://bit.ly/43pXvwv