South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students (SPIES) Network

A network of Māori and Pacific Engineering students who support their fellow students by providing social, cultural and sporting activities.

South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students (SPIES) is a student-led association. Founded in 1992, we aim to support Engineering students of Māori and Pacific Island descent during their time at the University of Auckland. With a 200+ member cohort, SPIES is actively involved within the Faculty of Engineering and Design, the University and the community.

SPIES has two main goals:

  • To support the well-being of members academically, socially and culturally
  • To promote professional engineering to Māori and Pasifika communities

To encourage students to be more involved while at University, SPIES organises events and workshops that build students’ character through a friendly and supportive environment.

Connect with us

To find out more about SPIES, including how to join and what we have to offer, send an email to spiesuoa@gmail.com

SPIES hosts a closed group for members only on Facebook. You can also find us on:

SPIES Executive Board

The SPIES Executive Board updates yearly each February and seeks to ensure that the needs of SPIES members are looked after and taken care of. We organise various events throughout the year that cover both professional development and social aspects of university life, which are key to ensuring that the SPIES values and culture are upheld to the highest degree.

Co-Presidents
Ariana George & Lorive Saena

Vice President
Ebony-Jean Lafotanoa-Ta'avili

Secretary
Abdur-Rahman Benziada

Treasurer
Aiko Yoshida

Outreach Officer
Sophie Farrell

Public Relations Officer 
'Isileli Latu

Faculty Representative
Marianna Tenari Pese

Pasifika Representative
Marcelle Apulu

Māori Representative
Mia Tamahori

Sports Officer
Faatulituli Leiataua

Industry Representative
Aman Chand

IT Officer
Felicia Lilly Ott