Auckland

The University of Auckland Chinese Alumni Club is a non-profit organisation that aims to connect and support the many Chinese alumni currently residing in Auckland. The club organises regular events to help Chinese alumni stay connected to the University, as well as network and socialise.

Led by Volunteer Alumni Coordinator Rachel Yang and a strong, passionate committee, the club’s vision is to celebrate the successes of Chinese alumni. The club also provides professional and personal support to members.

Join the Chinese Alumni Club group to keep in touch with other alumni and graduates from China. 

There is also a Chinese Alumni Club WeChat group. Contact Rachel to be added.

Rachel Yang's journey is one marked by quiet diligence and a
strong commitment to her field. As a University of Auckland alumna, she has
made significant contributions to the realms of accounting, risk, and
compliance. Rachel is the driving force behind Trusted AML Tech, a pioneering
software company dedicated to crafting smart automation tools that assist
accountants and lawyers in navigating the complexities of AML/CFT compliance. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to establish Y-squared Chartered Accountants in Auckland, where she applies her extensive knowledge gained from over 15 years of experience in notable roles at Sovereign, AIA, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

In 2020, Rachel's professional dedication was recognised with the Chartered
Accountants of Australia and New Zealand Young Advocate Award for Auckland and Northland, a testament to her influence and commitment in the region. Her venture, Y-squared, stood out as a finalist in the Westpac Auckland Business Awards, showcasing excellence in marketing, strategy and planning, and community contribution, underscoring the impact of her leadership and vision.

Furthermore, Rachel founded Y-squared Education, reflecting her deep-seated
belief in the power of education and her desire to share knowledge within the
finance and accounting sectors. This initiative highlights her commitment to
empowering others through learning, a value that resonates deeply within the
University of Auckland's community.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rachel is an integral part of the University
of Auckland alumni network. She has chaired the University of Auckland Chinese Alumni Club since 2009, fostering connections and supporting the alumni community. Her role in the University of Auckland Society since 2011 further exemplifies her dedication to the university's mission and values.

Rachel's involvement in mentorship, through programs like the NZ Business
Mentors and the University of Auckland Women Mentoring Programme, and her support for the next generation as a judge and mentor in the Chamber of
Commerce Young Enterprise Scheme, showcase her commitment to nurturing growth and development in others.

Serving on the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand local committee, Rachel continues to contribute to her profession, always guided by the principle that "By lifting others, we rise ourselves." The University
of Auckland holds Rachel in high regard, not just for her professional
accomplishments but for her enduring dedication to community, education, and the quiet but impactful support she extends to those around her.

Representing the University of Auckland Māori Alumni, Ngā Taniwha was established with the goal of advancing Māori business and strengthening the Māori economy through its extensive contacts and networks. 

Dan Walker sits on the executive of the Māori Alumni Club.  If you’d like to find out more about Ngā Taniwha – connect with Dan on LinkedIn.

Tēnā koutou kātoa ngā Taniwha o Te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau. He mokopuna tēnei nō ngā iwi i te korowai o te maunga tītohea. I te taha o tōku koroua, he uri whakaheke au nō Tangahoe, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Maniapoto, Tainui rātou ko Ngā Rauru. I te taha o tōku kuia, he uri whakaheke au nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Tūhourangi rātou ko Te Arawa.

Academic success may have escaped Dan at high school, but an opportunity to get into technology while working at Dick Smith Electronics in Christchurch helped him find his passion and by 26 he was the National Commercial Manager. With new focus and confidence he started studying at 30 completing a diploma in business, a diploma in te reo māori, then an Executive MBA and a Masters in Advanced Leadership. He went on to senior leadership positions as National Commercial Sales Manager at Noel Leeming and National Sales Manager at Samsung. In 2010 he received the Mira Szászy Alumni Award at the Aotearoa Māori Business Leader Awards for his exceptional leadership in the private sector and his work in iwi development. Dan is now an account executive at global technology solutions company DellEMC, Deputy Chair of the NZ Māori Tourism and Deputy Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui. He does these outside of being a loving husband to Michelle and dad to three amazing children – Josh, Tyler and Maia.
 
Dan is proud to be involved in Ngā Taniwha because of the opportunity to provide spaces for our māori alumni to connect, share knowledge and kōrero.  “Our whakataukī given to us from our
kaumātua and rangatira, Manuka Henare, is ‘Anei te reo korokī o Ngā Taniwha e ngunguru nei’ which when translated metaphorically
means ‘when Ngā Taniwha start to shake and move, the world changes’. His guiding principle to us is about ensuring we are impactful in everything we do for our whānau, hapū and iwi on a local, national and global level. We must strive to be the best at what we do and not accept anything less. It is a mantle handed down from our ancestors.”

Situated in the Business School, the University of Auckland MBA Alumni Club (AMBAAC) was founded in 2012 to help fellow graduates maximise the value of their MBA degrees.

Governed by an independent alumni board, the AMBAAC’s objectives are to:

• Continuously challenge our thinking
• To maintain the value of our University of Auckland MBA
• Build powerful networks
• To share experiences and opportunities with graduates of the University of Auckland MBA programmes
• Contribute to the growth of the New Zealand economy
• To contribute time and knowledge to the Graduate School of Management

Graduates from the MBA programme can sign up to the AMBAAC via the online registration form, as well as follow the AMBAAC MBA LinkedIn group.

Active since 1989, the University of Auckland Society (formerly the Alumni Association) advocates for the university, and seeks to promote its best interests.

Comprising alumni and friends, the Society supports a range of programs and initiatives, including:

• Distinguished Alumni Awards
• 3 Minute Thesis Competition
• Summer Shakespeare
• Alumni Scholarships Fund

Membership to the Society also grants special discounts and exclusive access to facilities and amenities.