What is SPIES?

SPIES, or the South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students association, was formed in 1993 as a support group for Maori and Pacific Island students studying engineering at the University of Auckland. The main reason for its formation was that Maori and Pacific Islanders were severely under-represented in all fields and disciplines of Engineering. Engineering is a challenging field and a group like SPIES was needed to promote and encourage new Maori and Pacific Island engineers and ensure that they graduate.

What does SPIES do?

SPIES provides peer help, extra tutorials and advice from our past members who are out in the workforce. Our group meets fortnightly on Friday afternoons with free pizza or a BBQ. The meetings give everyone a chance to get to know one another and discuss the various activities that we either organize or get involved in throughout the year.

Who can be a member?

Membership of SPIES is open to any Maori or Pasifika student studying engineering at the University of Auckland. The SPIES Constitution also allows for other students or friends to become members. Regardless of membership, SPIES is a very open group, and are happy for non-members to participate in their activities. Membership is free. All you have to do is turn up and get involved e hoa!