AUT Hospitality and Tourism

📚✨Celebrating Academic Excellence: Four Major Book Launches

Last week, we hosted a wonderful evening to celebrate a significant milestone: the launch of four major publications by our esteemed AUT Hospitality and Tourism faculty. These works are at the forefront of the industry, advancing inclusive, equitable, and transformative practices across the global tourism and hospitality landscape.

✨Congratulations to our authors and editors:
Alison McIntosh & Brielle Gillovic - The Dis/abled Tourist
Tracy Harkison (Co-editor) - Rethinking Hospitality and Tourism Education
Shelagh Mooney - Intersectionality in the Hospitality and Tourism Sectors
Heike Schänzel (Co-editor) - Handbook on Children and Family Tourism

These publications reflect our dedication to research that actively shapes a more accessible and thoughtful future for our sectors. A proud moment for our staff and the wider academic community!

📖From Theory to Luxury: Redefining the Postgraduate Classroom

It has been an exceptional start to the semester for students of our 'Managing Luxury' course, who have been bridging the gap between academic theory and world-class industry practice.

🤝 Industry Immersion: Hilton Auckland, New Zealand 🏨
Our students were treated to a truly immersive experience, starting with an insightful presentation from Claire Colehouse, Director of Human Resources. The learning continued with seven other Heads of Departments, who provided a deep dive into the operational and strategic nuances of managing a luxury property. We are incredibly grateful to the Hilton Auckland team for providing such a transformative experience for our students.

📜The Symposium: Students successfully delivered a mini-symposium, exploring luxury through historical and contemporary lenses. Every student earned a Certificate of Achievement for this rigorous first assessment. 🏆

This interplay between rigorous research and industry engagement ensures our graduates are prepared to lead in the global luxury landscape. ✨

Celebrating Excellence: Jointly Ranked #1 in New Zealand 🎓✨

We are immensely proud to share that AUT Hospitality and Tourism has placed equal first in New Zealand for Hospitality and Leisure Management in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. This milestone, coupled with AUT - Auckland University of Technology’s entry into the global top 25 for sports-related subjects, is a testament to the passion and excellence of our entire community.

“It is a fantastic outcome and a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team. In a dynamic hospitality and tourism landscape, AUT continues to lead by ensuring our students graduate with the skills, experience, knowledge, professionalism and industry connections they need to succeed.”

Reflecting on this achievement, Dr Warren Goodsir, Head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism, notes that the result highlights deep-rooted commitment to excellence in hospitality, tourism and event management education, research, and professional practice.

We look forward to continuing this momentum and shaping the future of the global hospitality, tourism and events sectors together. 🤝🌏

The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject provides independent comparative analysis on the performance of more than 18,300 individual university programmes.

Building Careers, One Loaf at a Time 🎓🍞✨
Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to change a life. Founded by Ana Djokovic, The Bread Collective is a transformative programme proudly hosted by AUT Hospitality and Tourism at our AUT - Auckland University of Technology City Campus, supporting former refugees into employment through the universal craft of bread baking.

By combining professional baking skills with holistic support - including language lessons and industry networking - this initiative removes barriers to employment and creates real-world pathways for its students.

The project grew from a shared vision between Ana and Senior Lecturer Arno Sturny, proving that when we back potential early, the impact is profound. With recent support from Foundation North and successful alumni placements at top bakeries like Daily Bread, The Bread Collective continues to turn potential into employment.

We are proud to support an initiative that fosters belonging, one loaf at a time. 🎓🤝

Read more about this initiative here: https://lnkd.in/eATh8Qdj

We’re proud to celebrate our AUT Hospitality and Tourism community representing Aotearoa New Zealand on the international stage 🇳🇿

Leading the team is Kenji Yosh*tsuka, Head Pastry Chef at the InterContinental Auckland, alongside commis Sam Gradowski-Smith. Joining them as second commis is Olly Papaconstantinou, a current Bachelor of Culinary Arts student.

The team is coached by Jean Wan, lecturer on the Diploma in Patisserie, bringing a wealth of industry and mentoring experience to their preparation. We are also proud to acknowledge Ken O’Connell, President of Bocuse d’Or NZ, who will serve as the New Zealand representative on the international tasting jury.

Currently in training for the upcoming Bocuse d'Or Asia-Pacific selections (dates to be confirmed) as Bocuse d'Or Team New Zealand, the team has its sights firmly set on qualifying for the Grand Final in Lyon in January 2027.

Please join us in wishing Jean, Olly, and the entire team every success as they showcase the future of New Zealand’s culinary excellence.

📍Our Event Management students led by Dr Sandra Goh recently traded the classroom for a site inspection at The Arts House Trust at Pah Homestead. For many, this was a first-time discovery of a hidden Auckland gem - one that events have the power to reveal to wider audiences.

🏫The visit challenged students to look beyond the aesthetic beauty of the heritage venue and analyse its operational complexities. Through the lens of creative placemaking, they evaluated access, flow, heritage considerations, spatial limitations, and audience experience.

✨Learning becomes truly immersive when ideas meet the reality of physical context. Seeing students transform constraints into creative opportunities is a highlight of the curriculum.

A sincere thank you to Director Anita Tótha and the team (Carolyn, Nicki Manthel, Hannah, Tasha) for their generous hosting and invaluable industry insights.

Join us in congratulating our PhD candidate Serene Chen Jing, who has successfully completed her online PhD oral examination! 🎓✨

Serene’s thesis, “Paradoxical Emotional Intimacy: Negotiating Filial Emotion and Family Well-being in the Liminal Space of Chinese Intergenerational Travel,” offers thoughtful insights into the evolving dynamics of the Chinese outbound market, highlighting how travel acts as a unique catalyst for renegotiating family roles and emotional well-being.

Reflecting on this milestone, Serene shared:
“My doctoral journey has been both challenging and deeply rewarding, teaching me patience, resilience, and the value of embracing complexity.”

A sincere thank you to her supervisors, Professor Heike Schänzel, Associate Professor Tracy Harkison, Associate Professor Dr Claire Liu and the esteemed examiners, Kam Hung and Xiaoxiao Fu for their guidance and thoughtful engagement throughout this journey.

We are so proud of you, Serene! 👏🌟

We are thrilled to share the news of the appointment of AUT Hospitality and Tourism's new Deputy Head of School, Associate Professor David Williamson. 👏 🎉

📖 Learn more about this exciting news on our LinkedIn page and read the feature on David’s new role and industry journey in Hospitality Business Magazine via the link below.

From Michelin dreams to classroom schemes: AUT taps industry veteran to lead Hospitality - Hospitality Business Magazine | AUT Hospitality and Tourism We are thrilled to share the news of the appointment of AUT Hospitality and Tourism's new Deputy Head of School, Associate Professor David Williamson. 👏 🎉 David brings extensive industry and academic experience to the role, having worked internationally in hospitality before joining AUT more t...

🍽️👨‍🍳 Inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals

The Department of Culinary Arts at AUT Hospitality and Tourism recently welcomed students from Dilworth School for an engaging visit exploring study and career opportunities in hospitality and culinary arts.

Students experienced the energy of a commercial kitchen and production line in action, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the practical learning environments that shape future chefs and hospitality leaders. The visit also introduced the academic pathways and diverse career opportunities available across hospitality and tourism.

A special thank you to our amazing lecturers whose support and enthusiasm made this visit possible.

It was fantastic to host the group and share a taste of the hands-on learning and industry experiences our programmes offer.

Join us in congratulating our PhD student Sunny D**g, who has successfully completed her PhD oral examination! 🎓✨

Sunny’s thesis, “Negotiating Tradition, Modernity, and Intergenerational Roles: Chinese Multigenerational Family RV Tourism in Western Contexts,” offers thoughtful insights into the complexities of family travel, culture, and identity across contexts.

Reflecting on this milestone, Sunny shared:
“The PhD journey has been like water carving stone — quiet, grounded, and unrushed, growing deeper with patience and resilience. With gratitude for all the guidance and moments of insight, I carry this wisdom forward into the next chapter of growth. Everything happens for the best.”

A sincere thank you to her supervisors, Professor Heike Schänzel and Associate Professor Dr Claire Liu and the esteemed examiners, Professors Cathy Jin and Mao-Ying Wu for their guidance and thoughtful engagement throughout this journey.

We are so proud of you, Sunny! 👏🌟