Tuākana Programme
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted community for our Māori and Pacific students and staff.
What is Tuākana Science?
Tuākana is a culturally safe educational community open to all Māori and Pacific students and staff, with spaces to hang out, study and connect with other like-minded students. The programme aims to support and enhance the student experience while assisting you in your academic goals and career development with opportunities at every stage of your university journey, from topic-specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, and exam preparation, to scholarships, research opportunities, tutoring, jobs and career mentoring for senior students.
Tuākana is where Māori and Pāsifika students thrive on campus; Tuākana spaces are for whakawhanaungatanga, tutorials, wānanga, fonotaga, workshops and are dedicated spaces focused on growth and success.
My best memories were making friends and being in a space that was your own space any time throughout the year.
Tuākana in Science draws from the shared whakapapa and history between Māori as Tangata Whenua and Tagata o le Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, both successful navigators of the vast Pacific ocean. We celebrate Māori kaupapa and Pacific ways of being and knowing through Tuakana-Teina learning environments in a variety of places across Waipapa Taumata Rau. The overarching aim of Tuākana is to retain and grow a thriving body of Māori and Pacific students and staff by providing access, opportunity and celebration of success at all levels.
Tuākana is such a community - we take strength from each other.
We achieve this by connecting you with our team of staff and tutors who have the skills, knowledge, and dedication to ensure success both in your academic and personal pursuits. Tuākana also encourages and fosters meaningful connections between students - whanaungatanga is at the heart of all we do, and we can all learn from and support each other. There are Tuākana study spaces for each department that students can use at any time, course-specific tutorials, one-on-one help, as well as additional test and exam workshops for a wide range of Science courses. Tuākana also helps to connect students with scholarship, research, and internship opportunities.
With Tuākana I felt empowered.
Tuākana is here to nurture your academic ability while also supporting your personal journey, enabling you to reach your full potential. We recognise that students already have the skills and knowledge to contribute incredible advancements to their field of study, and the programme gives you the space to explore the potential you already have.
Māori and Pacific Support
For general enquiries about Tuākana and other services available to Māori and Pacific students in our science community, please contact:
Ekta, Faculty Administrator
General enquires about faculty events
Email tuakana-fos@auckland.ac.nz
Phone 09 373 7599 ext 89186
Lizzie Tafili, Student Support Adviser (Māori and Pacific)
If you need guidance with your studies or are in need of pastoral care
Email lizzie.tafili@auckland.ac.nz
Phone 027 561 5083
Tuākana in our Schools and Departments
For more information on specific courses and the Tuākana support available, please contact:
- Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora | School of Biological Sciences
Sarah Rewi, Mena Welford, Brendon Dunphy
tuakana-biology@auckland.ac.nz
Building 106, rooms 109 & 111A
- Te Kura Mātai Matū | School of Chemical Sciences
Ruth Cink
ruth.cink@auckland.ac.nz or SCSTuakana@auckland.ac.nz
Building 301, room 184
Kitchen: Building 301, level 1 - Te Kura Mātai Rorohiko | School of Computer Science
Daniel Wilson, Damir Azhar, David Welch
daniel.wilson@auckland.ac.nz, damir.azhar@auckland.ac.nz, david.welch@auckland.ac.nz
Building 301, room 409 - Te Kura Mātai Taiao | School of Environment
Sonia Fonua
sonia.fonua@auckland.ac.nz
Building 301, room 188 - Te Kura Mātai Kori Tinana | Department of Exercise Sciences
Waruna Weerasekera
w.weerasekera@auckland.ac.nz
Building 301, room 183 - Te Kura Mātauranga Pāngarau | Department of Mathematics
Malia Puloka
m.puloka@auckland.ac.nz
Building 303, room B13-15
Kitchen: Building 303, room B15 - Te Kura Mātai Ahupūngao | Department of Physics
Kannan Ridings, Jasmine Anderson-Baldwin
tuakana-physics@auckland.ac.nz
Building 303, room B13-15
Kitchen: Building 303, room B15 - Te Kura Mātai Hinengaro | School of Psychology
Ariana Hond, Christina Middelbeek-Harrison, Hineatua Parkinson (Kai Whakaako Mātai Hinengaro)
ariana.hond@auckland.ac.nz, cmid837@aucklanduni.ac.nz, atua.parkinson@auckland.ac.nz
Building 301, room 198
Kitchen: Building 301, level 1 - Te Whare Takiura Mātai Pūtaiao Moana | Institute of Marine Science
Kayleb Himiona
khim984@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Building 106, room 109 - Te Kura Tatauranga | Department of Statistics
Susan Wingfield
s.wingfield@auckland.ac.nz
Building 303, room B13 & 15
Kitchen: Building 303, room B15 - Tuākana Postgraduate Coordinator (Faculty of Science)
Larissa Renfrew
larissa.renfrew@auckland.ac.nz
Email to make an appointment for student support and mentoring.