Areti Metuamate

Sharing his passion for his Māori and Pasifika heritage has always been at the forefront of Areti’s studies. Always quick to identify himself as a Kiwi, he is just as quick to promote ANU as a great place to study and tell people how the University plays an important role in bringing people in the Asia-Pacific region together to share ideas and build brighter futures.

Since he started his studies in 2010, Areti has been a key player across several aspects of campus life at ANU. He was the Postgraduate & Research Students’ Association President for two years and served on the University Council during that time. He was also a member of the Academic Board when it was first established by the Vice-Chancellor in 2012. His rich ANU life also saw him act on the University House Board of Fellows for two years and the ANU Sport Council for one year.

Even after saying he wanted to move on from student politics to focus on his PhD, Areti was elected Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the ANU student newspaper Woroni and has since founded the ANU Wine Society, which has more than 100 members, including Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt. On top of these commitments Areti also serves as a member of the ANU Young Alumni Council and works as the Deputy Head of Residence at Toad Hall.

Areti’s devotion to his native New Zealand (NZ) is evident through all of his volunteer work. He was on the Māori Youth Council for a year, served on the Council of the Catholic Institute of NZ for the entire time he has been studying at ANU and was on the Executive of the Runanga Katorika of NZ for nine years. He has recently been elected to the National Board of Republic New Zealand and is an active member of the Asia New Zealand Young Leaders Network. He is also on the Japan New Zealand Young Business Council and the US-New Zealand Future Partners Association.

Through these organisations he is constantly pushing for a brighter future for Māori, Indigenous and Pasifika people in Australia and New Zealand.