Tuākana is a University-wide learning community that enhances the academic success of our Māori and Pacific students.

Benefits of being involved include:

• Improving academic achievement.
• Increasing access to resources and University services.
• Providing opportunities to meet more students, at your own level and above.
• Keeping informed about Māori and Pacific funding, research, performance, exhibition and work opportunities.

The Tuākana team in our faculty is made up of high-achieving senior Māori and Pacific Island students (tuākana), who are dedicated to supporting you succeed in your studies at the University of Auckland. 

We hold weekly drop-in hours, regular assignment workshops, and exam workshops with our lecturers during exam period. We also host food and whānau gatherings throughout the semester. ​

If you have any questions about your department's tuākana timetable, please contact your assigned tuākana, otherwise contact the Tuākana co-ordinator if you need help or have questions.

Here are the details of our Tuākana team:

Tuākana mentors for Architecture:
Dorien Villiamu: dvil751@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Surita Manoa: sman770@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Tuākana mentors for Dance Studies
Syrai-Tiare Taumihau: stau226@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Tuākana mentors for Elam School of Fine Arts:
Meleseini Fale'afa: mfal809@aucklanduni.ac.nz     
Cameron Matamua: cmat072@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Tiare Ormsby: corm660@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Tuākana mentors for School of Music:
Nathan Hauraki: nhau486@aucklanduni.ac.nz        
Te Ohorere Williams: twil807@aucklanduni.ac.nz   
Khenya Anderson: kand672@aucklanduni.ac.nz     

Tuākana Co-ordinator:
Camilla Karehana: camilla.karehana@auckland.ac.nz   

To find out more about your tuākana, what the programme can do for you and how to get involved, select your subject group from the following list:

• Architecture Tuākana
• Dance Studies Tuākana
• Fine Arts Tuākana
• Music Tuākana
• Urban Planning Tuākana

• Our faculty has three Tuākana rooms spread across the City Campus.
  
• The main Creative Arts and Industries Tuākana Room is available to all Māori and Pacific Island students during their studies.
• Fine Arts and Music Tuākana rooms are only for those studying at Elam or the School of Music.

Creative Arts and Industries Tuākana Room

The faculty Tuākana Room for Māori and Pacific Island students is Room 220 of the Architecture and Planning Building.

This is close to the Creative Arts and Industries Student Centre – walk through the red glass doors and the room is to the left of the yellow elevator.

The room has a couch, whiteboard, two computers (and desks) and a large table (with many chairs). It’s the primary room for the Architecture, Dance Studies and Urban Planning Tuākana workshops. It is also available for Māori and Pacific Island students to use for study groups, discussions and individual study.

If you’d like to use the Tuākana Room please ask at the Creative Arts and Industries Student Centre. If there are no workshops being held (or other bookings), you’ll be given a key.

Note: you will be asked to hand in your student ID in exchange for the key and that you will be responsible for any damage that occurs to the room while you are in possession of the key.

If you have further questions, talk to the staff at the Creative Arts and Industries Student Centre.

Fine Arts Tuākana Room

Located in Seminar Room A of the Main Fine Arts Building (Building 432). This is below the Fine Arts Library and above the Main Elam Lecture Theatre. Check the location of Building 432 on the Map of Creative Arts and Industries.

The room is unlocked at all times and can be used as a place to hold discussions, eat, study, relax, or even have a sleep. It has beanbags, comfortable couches and a kitchenette (including sink and fridge).

If you have questions or would like to book the room, email Camilla Karehana: camilla.karehana@auckland.ac.nz   

Music Tuākana Room

This is in room 513 of the Fisher Building (Level 5).

The room has a couch, comfortable chairs, kettle, fridge and two small workspaces. It is available for Māori and Pacific Music students to use for studying, instrument practice or as a place to relax.

If you have questions or would like to book the room, email Camilla Karehana: camilla.karehana@auckland.ac.nz   

We hold a range of events for Māori and Pacific students throughout the year. You will be kept up to date through your Tuākana subject group on Canvas - the University's student Learning Management System.