Student advisors
Awhi Tauira
Student Support Advisors will support you and your success while at MIT. Our specialised team members can help get you sorted before and during your learning journey. We can support you with StudyLink, Referrals to other student services, work-life balance, concerns/complaints, emergency financial support, and food bank support.
Contact a Student Advisor
Email: wecare@manukau.ac.nz
Freephone: 0800 696 487
They're available from Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5pm and are located in the following campuses:
- MIT Ōtara | Dilworth Building, NA Block
- MIT Manukau | second floor
- MIT TechPark | main lobby
- MIT Maritime CBD | library 3rd floor
- MIT Mahurangi | distant support provided via call or video call
Meet your Student Advisors (Click to expand)
Name: Trisha Edwards
Ethnicity: Māori
Home country/city: Tamaki Makaurau
WHAT DO I DO FOR MY WELLNESS?
"Watch a good tv series or do some reading"
MY SURVIVIAL TIP FOR STUDIES
"Don't stress the little stuff and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't know" 
Name: Laisa Turaga
Ethnicity: Fijian
Home country/city: Fiji
WHAT DO I DO FOR MY WELLNESS?
"I enjoy the outdoors especially climbing and walking, and studio type fitness. Spending time with family and good friends plays a big part of my wellness."
MY SURVIVIAL TIP FOR STUDIES
"Support is always available you are not alone in this journey reach out for help in any circumstances"
Name: Arpana Choudhary
Ethnicity: Indian
Home country/city: India, Delhi
WHAT DO I DO FOR MY WELLNESS?
"Spending time with family, playing with my cat, art projects and reading books"
MY SURVIVIAL TIP FOR STUDIES
"Set your goals, focus on it and just do it"
Name: Janine van Heerden
Ethnicity: South African
Home country/city: South Africa, Pretoria
WHAT DO I DO FOR MY WELLNESS?
"My Christian faith plays a huge part in giving me a greater sense of purpose. To take care of my mental and emotional wellbeing, I do a stock take of what I am allowing into my mind and who I am surrounding myself with. I like to be around people who steer me in the right direction I love food but dislike exercise so to keep up with my physical wellbeing I'm constantly looking for new ways to stay motivated and engage in this area"
MY SURVIVIAL TIP FOR STUDIES
"Be willing to give up what you want NOW for what you want MOST"
Name: Pani-Te-Huatahi McLean
Ethnicity: NZ Māori - Ngati Porou
Home country/city: Tamaki Makaurau
WHAT DO I DO FOR MY WELLNESS?
"Listen to music, video chat with whanau and friends and plan the next holiday destination"
MY SURVIVIAL TIP FOR STUDIES
"If you don't know where you're goin, any road will take you there"
Name: Lenora Lui
Ethnicity: Samoan
Home country/city: Auckland
WHAT DO I DO FOR MY WELLNESS?
"Enjoy being out in nature and watching a good series"
MY SURVIVIAL TIP FOR STUDIES
"Failing doesn't mean you have failed it's something that you can use as a road map to success"