Disclaimer: This post is for entertainment purposes only. AUT does not promote the use of mystical forces, spell work, or Etsy witches to improve academic and/or personal performance… unfortunately (we’ve checked).
Amelia Lee Chee, AUT architecture student and Highly Commended at the 2025 Resene Student Design Awards, talks us through Fale Tupu: An Indigenous Toolkit for Designing Culturally Grounded Living Environments with Pasifika Communities in Aotearoa.
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I grew up surrounded by family living in social housing that didn’t really support the way they lived or what they needed. Because of that, they had to be incredibly innovative with their spaces – always adapting and making things work. I naturally became someone who understands how people live, how spaces are used and how much design actually matters.
After three years working at Kāinga Ora, I saw firsthand where social housing wasn't working – especially for Pasifika communities. Pasifika families continue to face some of the most severe housing inequities. We’re overrepresented in overcrowding, homelessness and unhealthy homes, yet we’ve contributed so much to the social and cultural fabric of this country. Fale Tupu came from that gap.
Fale Tupu shifts that power. It gives families accessible tools to participate, make decisions and transform their communal wellbeing spaces as their lives change.
AUT holds a strong vision for what the future of our built environment should be. From day one, we’re taught that architecture isn’t just about buildings – it plays a real role in improving the way people live.
I’ve been lucky to work closely with people like Andrew Burgess, Amanda Yates and Tuputau Lelaulu, who have pushed me to be better while supporting me to find my voice as a designer. I’ve also built relationships with people in my cohort who I hope to work with throughout my career.
I’m incredibly honoured to have been invited to present at the Pacific Housing Conference 'From Fale to Future – Reimagining Pacific Housing' this June. I’ll be sharing my Master of Architecture thesis, Fale Tupu, alongside some of the trailblazers within this space.
Some photos from the @designersnz Designers Speak event we had recently!
Thank you to Nathan Varga @studio_11_11 , Emily Cain @ctrl.space , Ethan Reid @landlab_ , and Troy Darrow @crestlinefurniture for inspiring our next generation of designers! And the @dinzsc Spatial team (Issy, Mila, Amber, and Bianca) for hosting such a great event.
📸 @rafik.y.patel
Noi ia e Mauri! Ḁlalum ˈäe ˈe gasav ne fäeag rotuḁm teˈis! - Happy Rotuman Language Week!
The theme of Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta 2026 is “Ȧf’ȧk, putua, a’pumuạ’ȧk ma rak’ȧk ‘os fäega ma ‘os ag fak Rotuma, la se maoen ‘e ‘os tore” - treasure, nurture and teach our Rotuman language and culture so it may live on through generations.
These four AUT students represent something bigger than themselves — a community keeping its language and culture alive, here in Aotearoa. �
#Rotumalanguageweek #AUTPacific
How far did you travel for AUT? ✈️🌍
To every student who crossed borders, cultures and time zones to be here, we see you. Your stories, your courage, your ambition.
✈️ Flights cancelled? Fuel prices got you grounded? Don't stress. 😌
Your passport to the world starts on campus. 🌍
No layovers. No baggage fees. Just bring your mates and your appetite. 🍜
This is AUT Worldwide!
📍 5–7 May across South, North and City Campuses; 1 campus per day, link in bio for the full schedule
👗 Rep your cultural attire and score yourself some spot prizes
🍜 Eat your way around the world
🎶 Boogie down with live music, dance and performances
Head to our link in bio for more info 👆
Don’t be that guy 🤧
Flu season is almost here, so consider getting your flu jab 💉
Chris Puliuvea, Senior Lecturer in Immunology, explains why getting vaccinated matters.
Anyone aged 6 months and over can get the flu vaccine. If you’re under 65 and don’t have any long‑term health conditions, it’ll likely cost around $25.
