Banu Ali, a former refugee, graduated with a Bachelor of Construction on 1 April — something she never imagined possible a decade ago, when she was living in fear for her life in Pakistan. Read the full story in The Post
Unitec alumna, Stacey Leilua plays the lead in Q Theatre’s new production of A View from the Bridge. Written by American playwright Arthur Millar, its themes of immigration, family and the pressures that can break a household still resonate loudly today. Read her interview in Radio NZ
Award-winning Unitec alumni (2005) photographer Edith Amituanai, MNZM, has been announced as a finalist for New Zealand’s most prestigious contemporary art award, The Walters Prize for a second time after being the first artist of Pasifika heritage to be nominated for the award in 2008. Read more
Former All Black and current Moana Pasifika coach, Tana Umaga has been named the All Blacks’ defence coach, with some rushing to dismiss him as inexperienced or a ‘culture hire’. Associate Professor Lefaoalii Dion Enari is challenging that myth and the narrow thinking behind it. Read more
Auckland painter and Unitec Master of Design graduate (2021), Reece King is celebrating the completion of his fellowship with an exhibition, “The Ogee & Manaia”, at the Hocken Collections gallery in Dunedin which runs until 1 August 2026. Read more
Is it possible to have a city made up of three distinct cities, separated by large areas of land, and still think of it as one coherent urban system? Associate Professor, Matthew Bradbury asks the question of the so-called Golden Triangle of Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. Read more
Unitec alumni, director/actor, Tainui Tukiwaho (2001) and dancer/director, Aloali’i Tapu (2014), are recipients of the 2026 FAME Mid-Career Awards, which recognises the outstanding contributions of performing artists and production professionals from across Aotearoa’s performing arts sector. Read more
Zoe Ritchie, a current third year Unitec Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts student majoring in Acting for Stage and Screen, hopes a recent appearance on New Zealand’s longest-running soap, Shortland Street, will help launch her acting career. Read more
Senior Lecturer, Ioane Aleke Fa’avae (Mutalau) was interviewed on Radio 531pi’s Pacific Days programme about the Hologa Festival, which is largest Niuean cultural celebration in the world held in Waitākere on 28 February. Listen to the interview
Unitec acting alumna (2016), Marianne Infante has been awarded Creative New Zealand’s 2025 Louis Johnson New Writer’s Bursary to develop a Kapampángan–NZ theatre work. Marianne was the first Filipino actor to be cast in iconic Kiwi TV drama, Shortland Street from 2021-2025. Read more
