Ambassador Kira Azucena and AUT Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa signed a landmark Donation Agreement to fund the establishment of the PH Studies Hub at AUT, the first of its kind in New Zealand. The initiative is supported by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Cultural Diplomacy (DFA-OCD).

Envisioned as a national centre for research, training and engagement, the Hub aims to integrate Filipino perspectives into mainstream education, public policy and public discourse in New Zealand. It is also a timely response to the growth of the Filipino migrant population, now the third-largest Asian community in New Zealand. It also reflects AUT’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), New Zealand's founding document.

The Hub’s activities will be co-led by the PH Studies Network Aotearoa New Zealand (https://www.philstudies.org.nz/).