At Laidlaw, you’ll find a Pasifika community dedicated to your success — with dedicated staff, culturally safe spaces, and regular events that celebrate who you are.
Student Experience
Pasifika Students
Have a question about admissions, courses, fees, or campus life? We’re here to help. Fill in the form below and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Whether you’re a prospective student or a current enrollee, we welcome all enquiries and look forward to supporting your educational journey.
To begin your application process to study at Laidlaw simply create an account in our student portal and begin your application.
Student Support is part of Laidlaw College’s Student Experience team and is dedicated to helping students thrive throughout their learning journey, from enrolment through to graduation.
We provide both academic and pastoral support to students across Laidlaw’s available study modes, including on-campus and distance learning. Our goal is to empower students to succeed by offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support tailored to their individual needs.
Student Support can assist with a range of academic skills, including assignment planning, essay writing, referencing, study strategies, and time management. We also provide pastoral care, helping students maintain balance when personal circumstances affect their studies and connecting them with appropriate support services when needed.
Working closely with Student Services, the Library, and academic staff, we aim to ensure that every student feels supported, connected, and equipped for success.
Students are welcome to meet with a member of the Student Support team on campus or connect with us remotely via email, Microsoft Teams or Zoom. If a team member is unavailable when you reach out, we can arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
We encourage you to connect with our Student Support team whenever you need assistance. We are here to support you every step of the way
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Our Pasifika-focused staff work alongside Laidlaw’s wider Student Support team to provide academic and pastoral care tailored to you, from enrolment through to graduation. Whether you need help with assignment planning, referencing, study strategies, or simply someone to talk to when life gets hard, support is available on campus or remotely via email, Teams, or Zoom. You’re never alone in your journey — reach out whenever you need us, and we’ll walk alongside you every step of the way.
Throughout the year, you’re invited into a calendar of events built for connection. Kick off Semester 2 at our Pasifika Connect Lunch during Orientation Week — great food, laughter, and reconnection with your community, family welcome. Join us at Ōtautahi Polyfest, celebrating Pacific culture and pride alongside schools and communities across Canterbury. And don’t miss Culture Night, a free celebration of song, dance, art, poetry, and comedy from across our community’s many cultures and countries.
On our Auckland Campus The Moana Lounge is a dedicated Pasifika space to study, relax, and connect. Share a meal, swap stories, talk through challenges, and celebrate wins with other Pasifika students in a warm, culturally safe environment. Whether you need somewhere to work or simply be yourself, the Lounge is always open to you.
Doreen is the Admissions Co-ordinator in the Student Services Department, based at the Auckland campus. She also teaches Pacific Theology and Missions, provides research supervision for the School of Theology, and serves as a Distance Learning Tutor. Across these roles, Doreen has the privilege of walking alongside students throughout their...
Esther leads Laidlaw College’s Community & Culture Team, providing leadership across a diverse range of areas that help shape and support the student and staff experience. She is passionate about creating and nurturing the spaces, places, and moments where community flourishes beyond the classroom — fostering connection, belonging, and a...
Fia is a Student Experience Advisor at Laidlaw College, providing dedicated academic and pastoral support to our Distance Learning and Pasifika students as they journey from enrolment through to graduation. She brings warmth and care to this role, walking alongside students at every step of their study journey. Fia completed...
Lavinia joined the Laidlaw team as the College’s Programme Delivery Administrator, based at the Auckland campus. Her focus is on ensuring the smooth delivery of our academic programmes to students. She completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre (BMusThtr) through ARA Institute of Technology in Christchurch, and later undertook a Venn...
Loise joined the Laidlaw staff team as Schools Administration Coordinator. In this role, she provides support and ensures high standards are met in the delivery of administrative requirements. Loise works closely with the Heads of Schools to ensure the smooth operation of school administration and also assists in projects relating...
Mele sits at the front desk of the Christchurch campus, where she carries out daily operational and administrative tasks for the campus, as well as welcoming all students, staff, and visitors with a smile as they walk through the front doors. She also works alongside the student leadership team to...
Moira Co-Leads the Student Experience team at Laidlaw College, supporting applicants and students in their study journey from enquiries through to graduation. She also provides academic and pastoral support, with a primary focus on our Pasifika students, and assists with AV/IT support. After graduating from the University of Auckland with...
Pennie is a life-long learner who has been teaching and involved in education for over 30 years, including key senior leadership roles at Kelston Girl’s College and Manurewa High School. She has initiated and tutored Niuean cultural groups for the ASB Polyfest at McAuley High School, Papatoetoe High School, and...
William’s role involves managing and overseeing Moodle (Learning Management System) and EBS (Student Management System), while providing technical and operational support to staff and students. Moodle is the online learning platform used to deliver Laidlaw College’s courses, while EBS is the central system managing student data, curriculum, enrolments, and the...
