United States

We are delighted to invite Victoria University of Wellington alumni to a reception in New York on Thursday 23 October.

The Vice-Chancellor will do an update on University news and share stories of the extraordinary staff, students and alumni making a difference at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow graduates, former classmates, and friends. There will be time for Q&A, as well as plenty of space to socialise and network over refreshments. Former study abroad and exchange students are warmly encouraged to attend.

This year we are asking for a contribution of NZ$30 per person (approx US$18) to attend the event. Every dollar raised through tickets will go directly to the University’s Student Hardship Fund, helping students who are struggling to afford essentials like rent, food, and power. With rising living costs and fewer part-time jobs in Wellington, many students face difficult choices between essentials and study. Let’s come together to give back and ensure no student is left behind due to financial hardship.

Nau mai, haere mai—we look forward to connecting with you.

ALL BLACKS v IRELAND: RUGBY RIVALRY COMES TO CHICAGO!

See you in Chicago for an epic battle on the iconic Soldier Field! Fans from around the world will converge in the heart of the Windy City to witness this epic encounter between two of the world’s greatest rugby nations, celebrating the enduring rivalry between these two powerhouse teams.

Balu Brigada is a New Zealand indie rock band originally from Auckland. The act, formed in 2016 with four members, is led by multi-instrumentalist brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley. They have released two extended plays—I Should Be Home, and Find a Way —and the compilation Balu.

The Pacific Island Film Festival (PIFF) of New York City is an annual festival dedicated to telling a richer, more comprehensive story of the Pacific Islands. PIFF endeavors to be a platform for indigenous Pacific Island voices to be heard and recognized—celebrating, showcasing and cultivating the stories, art, talent and cultural resources of the Pacific Islands with the broader New York community. PIFF is a fiscally sponsored project of Asian CineVision (ACV).

With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, Tina is one of the most successful New Zealand films of all time.This crowd-pleasing and heartwarming movie is the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival.  Struggling after the death of her daughter in the devastating New Zealand earthquakes in Christchurch, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite private school and is surprised to find children crying out for guidance, inspiration and love. Using the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir, bringing them together while unexpectedly rediscovering her passion for being a teacher and mother.

Delighting film festival audiences across the globe, including at the Hawaii International Film Festival, Tina was the winner of the 2025 Best Narrative Audience Award from the prestigious Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Kiwi Connect is a free quarterly meetup for
NZ university alumni in the Pacific Northwest.
It’s a chance to make connections, discover
who else is around, and maintain ties with
New Zealand.

Guest speaker, Thea Kleiber, Director of
Advancement at University of Canterbury,
will share insights and updates on the
current NZ university ecosystem.