Meet Moses HafokaGiving back to my community through engineering

Moses Hafoka has always been interested in how infrastructure connects communities. Inspired by his Pasifika values and a desire to make a positive difference in people's everyday lives, he was drawn to civil engineering as a way to give back to the communities that have supported him.

During his internship at Aurecon, Moses worked on real projects, learned from experienced engineers and gained firsthand experience on site. He shares how the experience built his confidence, broadened his understanding of the profession and helped him make the transition from intern to graduate.

What inspired you to become an engineer and pursue civil engineering?

Growing up, I was always interested in how things worked and how communities are connected through infrastructure. Roads, bridges, transport networks and public infrastructure are things people rely on every day, and I wanted to be part of designing and improving those systems.

That's what drew me to civil engineering, it gave me the opportunity to solve real-world problems and create something that has a lasting impact on people's lives. As a Pasifika engineer, I want to use what I learn to make a positive difference for my community and future generations.

What made you apply for an internship at Aurecon and what surprised you most about the experience?

I first learned about Aurecon through SPIES, the South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students network at the University of Auckland, where I connected with engineers and discovered different career pathways within the industry.

Aurecon stood out to me because of its strong reputation, the variety of projects, and the focus on developing young engineers. It felt like a place where I could apply what I'd learnt at university while continuing to learn from the people around me.

What surprised me most about the intern experience was how much responsibility and exposure I was given. I expected to spend most of my time observing, but instead I was involved in real project work on the Penlink Alliance. Working with the Civil Phase Services team showed me how designs are implemented on site and how engineers respond when real-world conditions don't match the drawings. It gave me a much better understanding of how complex infrastructure projects are and how many different teams and organisations work together to deliver them.

"I expected to spend most of my time observing, but instead I was involved in real project work on the Penlink Alliance."

What opportunity during your internship helped you grow the most?

Being part of the Civil Phase Services team on site helped me grow the most. I got involved in construction activities, quality assurance processes and investigations into design-related issues. One experience that really stands out was helping with investigations into construction and design discrepancies. It challenged me to think critically and helped me better understand the role and responsibility of engineers in large scale projects.