Three outstanding students have been recognised at the University of Auckland’s 2026 EY Māori and Pacific Business Students of the Year Awards, celebrating excellence, leadership and a commitment to uplift communities through innovation.
Brayden Williams, Alexandrea Ape-Paia and Luca Taimana were honoured at the annual awards ceremony held in the Owen G Glenn Building on 18 August, where six finalists from a cohort of more than 1,000 Māori and Pacific students were selected to present their ideas for the future.
Now in its 11th year, the EY Māori & Pacific Business Student of the Year Award showcases students that have demonstrated achievements in service to the community, communication skills, academic commitment, extracurricular activities and knowledge of world issues.
This year’s finalists were challenged to respond to a timely and thought-provoking question:
“As AI and emerging technologies reshape the world, how can Māori and Pacific peoples lead innovation in ways that reflect our values and create lasting prosperity for our communities?”
Each finalist delivered a five-minute speech exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by rapid technological change. Their presentations highlighted the importance of ensuring Māori and Pacific communities are not merely consumers of technology but active creators and leaders in its development.
Finalists discussed how artificial intelligence could support the protection and revitalisation of Indigenous languages, the need to overcome barriers such as digital poverty, and the importance of data sovereignty in safeguarding Indigenous knowledge and identity.
A strong theme throughout the evening was the enduring value of culture and community. Students argued that while technology continues to evolve, the principles that should guide its use remain constant. Relationships, collective wellbeing, intergenerational leadership and Indigenous knowledge systems were identified as critical foundations for shaping a more equitable and prosperous future.
Faculty of Business and Economics Associate Dean Pacific Sione Taufa said the event continues to highlight the exceptional talent emerging from the University’s Māori and Pacific student community.
“The EY Māori and Pacific Business Students of the Year Awards are an important showcase of the future leaders within our student cohort. Year after year, these students demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a deep commitment to serving their communities and leading with purpose.”
The evening was marked by powerful whakaaro, innovative ideas and inspiring visions for the future. While the finalists approached the challenge from different perspectives, they shared a common belief that Māori and Pacific values must remain central to technological advancement and economic development.
The awards recognised not only individual achievement but also the strength of a new generation of leaders determined to shape a future where innovation and Indigenous values go hand in hand.
Congratulations to Māori Business Student of the Year Brayden Williams, Pacific Business Student of the Year Alexandrea Ape-Paia and Luca Taimana who won the Te Tohu Toroa Manawanui (the Steadfast Toroa Award). Congratulations to finalists Leka Tu’ungafasi, Nevaeh Pereira and Gloria Meredith.
Their ideas offered a compelling vision of a future where Māori and Pacific peoples lead technological innovation while remaining firmly grounded in culture, community and collective prosperity.
The finalists also challenged outdated perceptions about who belongs in business and technology. They argue that Māori and Pacific peoples have always been innovators. Long before the digital age, Pacific ancestors used advanced navigation systems, environmental knowledge and technological ingenuity to voyage across and settle the vast Pacific Ocean, while Māori communities developed sophisticated systems of trade, governance and resource management.
Taufa says Indigenous people are natural innovators.
“Encouraging more Māori and Pacific students into business, marketing and entrepreneurship is not about entering unfamiliar territory, but about continuing a legacy of innovation that spans generations.”
As emerging technologies reshape industries, Indigenous perspectives offer powerful opportunities to build economies that are values-led, community-focused and sustainable for future generations.
Press Release from the University of Auckland.
