Mary Puatuki Aue MNZM is a Niuean–New Zealand STEM advocate, social media specialist[1] and Pacific and Māori leader. In 1999 Aue launched the Coconut Wireless community newsletter, which later relaunched as a social media platform, and she also founded the South Auckland STEM group to encourage Pacific and Māori children into technology. In 2023 Aue was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education, technology and Pacific and Māori communities.
Mary Aue | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Alma mater | Mangere College |
| Awards | Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Early life
editAue was born in Niue, to Don and Melepepe Aue, and is affiliated with the villages of Hakupu and Vaiea.[2][3] She grew up in Grey Lynn, Ōtara and Glen Innes, and lives in Mangere.[2]
Career
editAue has led the Accelerating Auckland Youth and Community Engagement Programme since 2005, as a volunteer.[4] In 2019, with assistance from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' Toloa Community Fund, Aue led the establishment of a group to encourage Māori and Pacific children to study technology, South Auckland STEM.[4] The South Auckland STEM group operates a holiday programme, a mentorship programme and internship programmes with local companies, and has registered more than 200 students.[4]
In 1999 Aue launched a community electronic newsletter, Coconut Wireless, which had over 10,000 subscribers.[4][5] The newsletter was relaunched a social media platform in 2014, following which it had 900,000 followers and a global reach.[4] Aue trained more than 200 other volunteers to use social media for community connection following the 2022 tsunami in Tonga.[4]
Honours and awards
editIn the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours, Aue was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education, technology and Pacific and Māori communities.[4]
References
edit- ^ Baker, Glenn (2 September 2020). "Call for Pacific women to unleash business potential". NZBusiness Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Coconut Wireless captures STEM interest". Ministry for Pacific Peoples. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ "Mary Puatuki Aue to be a Member of the NZ order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours List". Television Niue. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The King's Birthday and Coronation Honours List 2023 – Citations for Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Staff, Kaniva (6 June 2023). "Fifteen Pasifika people on NZ King's Birthday Honours List". Kaniva Tonga News. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
External links
edit- TALANOA WITH TUPE – S02E06 – MARY 'MEZ' AUE, Mary Aue talking with Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i, for Poporazzi Productions, 19 November 2021, via YouTube