Ngā Poutoko | Meet the Team

Hone Thorpe

Kaiārahi

Email: hone.thorpe@auckland.ac.nz

Office Hours: [if any]

Biography

Hone Arohaina Te Topa Thorpe (Te Āti Awa) started as the Business School’s new Kaiārahi on 1 August 2022. As Kaiārahi, he reports directly to the Dean and will work closely with the Executive Team and Business School staff to support Taumata Teitei aspirations.

Hone comes from an education background, and ngā tauira (students) and teaching are always close in his field of vision.

Growing up in his Riwaka whānau and Puketapu hapū around the waters of Totaranui and Whanganui-ā-Tara has shaped Hone. Regular travelling as a tamariki over the straits of Raukawakawa in the ocean pathways of his tūpuna between these two waters gave him his foundation as mana moana. With his Te Āti Awa anchor firmly set on the sacred island of Arapaoa he has ventured into the world.

Audrea Warner 

Māori and Pacific Success Coordinator

Email: audrea.warner@auckland.ac.nz

Office Hours: [if any]

Biography

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Sam Foster

Head Tuakana Tutor 

Email:  samuel.foster@auckland.ac.nz

Office : 260-070

Kia ora,

My name is Sam and I am the current Head Tutor of Tuākana Business. I am in my fifth year of study here at Waipapa Taumata Rau, studying towards a Law and Economics degree. I’m originally from West Auckland (#westisbest) but moved down to the big smoke to study. I'm a proud descendent of Ngāti Kahu and Ngātikahu ki Whangaroa, as well as having both Croatian (Tarara) and Irish roots.

 University is a pretty big challenge, and it’s even scarier when you don’t have much support. To me, while Tuākana is a place where our tauira can access both academic support, but also non-academic support with a focus on whanaungatanga (i.e., providing students a sense of belonging). In te reo Māori, tuākana literally translates to big brother or sister, which in my mind is what this programme is all about; for us tutors to assist in guiding our tauira throughout their first year of studies.

Akshaal Nath

Tutor - ACCTG102

Email: anat464@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia ora

My name is Akshaal, and I'm one of your tutors for the ACCTG102 course. I'm currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Accounting and Finance. I was born in Fiji but raised here in New Zealand for most of my life. In my spare time I love to work out, listen to music and spend time with family and friends.

I became a tutor for ACCTG102 as I've always loved working with numbers and accounting in general, and it was one of my favourite first-year courses. I hope to use this tutoring opportunity to pass on my knowledge and provide the same level of support that I received to enable other people in their academic year.

Maia Evans

Email: meva254@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia ora

I’m Maia, and I’ll be one of your Tuākana tutors this semester for BUS 111! I am in my second year of Commerce, majoring in accounting and finance. I am of Māori (Te Ātiawa) descent, and I was born and raised here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

To me, Tuākana is an opportunity for us to come together, create a sense of community, and learn from one another in a safe environment. I look forward to guiding you through this core paper and getting to know you this semester!

Arabella Pearce

Tutor - BUS111

Email: apea177@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia Ora

My name is Arabella and I’ll be one of the BUS111 Tuakana Tutors for this year! Currently, I’m in my fourth year of study at the University of Auckland, working towards a BCom/BA conjoint degree majoring in Economics, International Business and Politics and International Relations. I’m of Samoan and Cook Island descent, born and raised in South Auckland until I moved to Rotorua before high school.

A big reason why I became a Tuakana Tutor is because I wanted to provide the same level of guidance that was offered to me in my first years. University can be pretty scary at first, so the additional support provided by the Tuakana programme both academically and non-academically was very valuable to me as a new student. As a 2024 Tuakana Tutor, I hope to become a person who makes the challenge of university less daunting by offering support and guidance to those in their first year.

Tepora Latu

Tutor - BUS112

Email: tlat968@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Talofa lava!

My name is Tepora and I’ll be tutoring Business 112 this year.  I’m in my third year of a Laws and Economics conjoint degree. I’m Samoan #685totheWorld (Fogapoa and Safune) and Tongan (Vava’u and Tefisi).  I live on the Coast although I was raised in England, Fiji and Samoa before moving to Aotearoa for high school.

A reason why I wanted to tutor Business 112 is because I enjoyed the course content in my first year. Additionally, Tuakana has been a great help in my academic studies, especially in my first year with the change of workload and pace of uni life. Thankfully, I was able to do very well in the course because I could break down content in a way that would help me understand it easily - and that’s exactly what I want to do with students! It’s a content heavy course but that’s why I’m here to help and support you through the semester just like my previous Tuakana tutors have done because I know everyone has the capability of doing well!

Alistair Webster

Tutor - STATS108

Email: aweb828@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia Ora Koutou! 

My name is Alistair and I am excited to be tutoring STATS108 this year! I am currently in my second year, pursuing a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce Conjoint, majoring in Business Analytics and Operation and Supply Chain Management. I am of Maori descent (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakaue) and grew up in both Tāmaki Makaurau and the Waikato. 

Having the support through the Tuakana Programme is a great way to meet like minded people- especially in your first year. The academic support the programme offers has been very helpful to both myself and the many Maori and Pacific students I worked alongside and am excited to be able to give back and tutor to support tauira to achieve their best. STATS108 is a valuable course which I am excited to be supporting this year. The Tuakana programme offers more than just academic support, and we are here for you through your journey to assist at any point for you.

Riley King

Tutor - BUS114

Email: rkin216@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

My name is Riley and I will be one of your Semester 1 & 2 tutors for Business 114. I am in my third and final year of a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Commercial Law. 

I am of Maori (Ngati Raukawa) and European descent and was born and raised in Rotorua, I then made the big move to start University in Auckland in 2021.  Accounting was not a course offered at my high school so I had no experience before coming to Uni. Luckily Tuakana offered me the support and help I needed to not only do well in the paper but also learn to love accounting. This year I hope to return the favour by being your BUS 114 tutor and hopefully you too will thoroughly enjoy this course. 

I look forward to meeting you all during our Tuakana workshops and office hours!

Meleana Payn

Tutor - BUS114

Email: mpay233@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia Ora,

My name is Meleana and I’ll be one of the Tuākana tutors this year for BUS114! I’m a third year student studying a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education degree majoring in management. I’m of Tongan descent #TGang (Vava’u and Tongatapu) and am born and raised in Auckland. 

I became a tutor for BUS114 because this was my favourite core paper when I was a first year. A big reason for why I enjoyed the 114 Accounting paper and (in my opinion) did quite well in it was because I had amazing tutors myself. So I hope I can pay it forward and pass on the same level of support and knowledge that I received from my tutors to the Tuākana first years in 2024. Hopefully you all like this paper AND the tutor as much as I liked mine ;)

Maddex Anderson

Tutor - BUS115

Email: mand771@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia Ora,

My name is Maddex, and I’m one of your Tuakana for BUS115 this year. I’m in my second year of my Law and Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting and Finance. I am Māori and whakapapa to Te Aitanga a Mahaki on the east coast. I’ve spent most of my life in the Wairarapa and the Wellington region before moving to Auckland to study.

I chose to become a Tuakana Tutor because I wanted to give back for the help and support I had received during my first year. Starting university can be a massive change from high school, and having the Tuakana program there for me, academically and personally, made a huge difference. Now, as a Tuakana Tutor in 2024, I aim to be one of the people who help make the university journey easier and make BUS115 as fun as when I did it.

Grace Naden

Tutor - BUS115

Email: gnad841@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia ora!

My name is Grace and I am one of your tutors this year for BUS115.  I am in my fourth year of a Law and Commerce conjoint, majoring in marketing and finance. I am of Māori descent (Ngāti Maniapoto, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou) and grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau. In my spare time I enjoy wakeboarding, going to the gym, and spending time with family, friends, and Stevie (my cat).

I chose to become a Tuākana tutor as I want to create a space that fosters friendship, support, and academic achievement. My aim is to provide you with a better understanding of BUS115 so that you can achieve your course related goals. With that being said, I am here if you need assistance and I look forward to meeting you all during our tutorials!

Hayley McKenzie

Tutor - BUS202

Email: hmck545@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia ora!

My name is Hayley and I am entering my fourth year of a Bachelor of Commerce Conjoint Bachelor of Arts. My majors include Marketing, Management and Communications. In my spare time I love a beach trip, a game of netball and am always down for a pub quiz. I am of Māori decent with my roots down south to Ngāi Tahu but born and raised in South Auckland.

Being from a small rural town originally and moving to the big city I understand the need for the Tuākana programme to support individuals through a new stage of life. I hope to be one of your support systems and big sister throughout your journey, both in academics and in life. I chose to tutor BUS202 as I found it was the course that best prepared me for internships and life out of uni and I want to help all of you to take as much out of this course as I did.

Serina McCarthy

Tutor - ECON152

Email: smcc843@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Talofa Lava,

My name is Serina and I will be your ECON152 tutor this year. It’s such a privilege to be able to tutor you guys and I’m excited for what this year holds. I am currently in my fourth year of a BCOM LLB (honours), majoring in Economics.

I am of Korean and Samoan descent - born in Korea and moved to New Zealand when I was three as my dad was born/raised here. I have lived in Auckland all my time here in New Zealand but go back to Seoul for my holidays when I can.

I wanted to be a Tuakana tutor this year as the guidance and support it provided me in first year was incredibly helpful and valuable. Please feel free to come to me with any questions, I am always available to help.

Tekahurangi Heta-Lensen

Tutor - INFOSYS110

Email: thet172@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Luaipouomalo Maualaivao

Tutor - PROPERTY102

Email: lmau925@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Talofa! 

My name is Pou and I’ll be the Tuakana Prop 102 tutor for this year. I’m an International student from Samoa (born and raised) studying towards a Bachelor of Property Degree. I am currently a second  year student, will be a third year in Sem 2. I like to draw or watch a movie on my free time. I also enjoy staying active with sports playing volley, netball, touch rugby, pool table and golf. 

I applied for this role because I want to offer guidance and assistance to Maori and Pacific Island students taking Prop 102  this year. From what I’ve seen, I understand that there aren’t that many MPI students taking Property and engaging with Tuakana tutorials. I hope to change that and use what I have learnt from this course to help them achieve good grades the best way possible.

Caleb Royds

Tutor - PROPERTY103

Email: croy247@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Kia Ora!

My name is Caleb, I’ll be the Tuakana tutor for Property103 this semester! I am a second year student studying a Bachelor of Property. I was born and raised in Whangarei, and lived in Mangawhai for three years before moving to Auckland to study. In my spare time I enjoying playing golf, video games, and hanging out with friends and family. I am also trying to learn how to play the keyboard! 

I have become a Tuakana tutor for Property102  to provide guidance and share my knowledge and passion within the Property field. Tuakana has helped me throughout my time at University and I hope to pay that forward to other students. As a Tuakana tutor, I hope to be able to support you all with your academic goals and aspirations but also make you feel welcomed to the University!

Kahlil Grocott

Tutor - STATS108

Email: kgro283@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Office Hours:

Biography

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Ko Kahlil ahau, I’m a third year tauira studying Information Systems and Māori Studies here at Waipapa Taumata Rau. I’m also proud to be your Tuākana tutor for INFOSYS 110 in 2024.

Raised in out in West Auckland, I’m now just down the road from uni and here to help with any questions or concerns you might have about your course. I know Information Systems is a daunting area for some, so I hope you all feel free to reach out and use the resources that Tuākana provides, like many of us have already.

Proudly of Māori (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa), Lebanese and European descent, I hope to create a space where you feel like you can ask any question, no matter how ‘stupid’ they might sound. I look forward to meeting you all, and doing our best in the year to come.