Va'a o Tautai has a diverse team working in New Zealand and the Pacific region on health matters important to Pacific Communities.
The Va'a o Tautai team in the Division of Health Sciences on Dunedin campus.
Most of our team are based at 71 Frederick Street, Dunedin. Our main entrance is at the back of the building, through the carpark off Malcolm Street.
Google maps for 71 Frederick Street, Dunedin.
Va'a o Tautai Executive
This team provides strategic leadership and oversees academic and support programmes, and regional engagement in the Pacific.
The University of Otago Pacific Strategic Framework 2022–2030 underpins this work.
VoT Director
Faumuina Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email tai.sopoaga@otago.ac.nz
VoT Co-Deputy Directors (Acting)
Dr Nese Ituaso Conway
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email nese.conway@otago.ac.nz
Talai Mapusua Nabalagi
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email talai.mapusua@otago.ac.nz
VoT Manager
Fran Cockerell
Tel +64 3 471 6379
Email managerVOT@otago.ac.nz
VoT Deputy Manager
Kalameli Fagasoaia
Tel +64 3 479 5256
Mob +64 21 279 1484
Email kala.fagasoaia@otago.ac.nz
Operations and administration
This team provides support across Va'a o Tautai activities.
VoT Manager
Fran Cockerell
Tel +64 3 471 6379
Email managerVOT@otago.ac.nz
Divisional Services Administrators
Aitasi Uele
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email vot@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Academic Administrator
Rosenna Ratulomai
Email rosenna.ratulomai@otago.ac.nz
POPO programme
Shirin Manins
Tel +64 3479 8493
Email shirin.manins@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Regional Co-ordinator
Leilani Pereira-Moeono
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email pacific.region@otago.ac.nz
Student Support
This team supports academic excellence in the Division of Health Sciences and aims to increase the Pacific health workforce through a number of tailored programmes.
All general enquiries to:
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
More about student support programmes
POPO Manager
Grettel Williams
Tel +64 3 479 4541
Email popo.manager@otago.ac.nz
Programme Co-ordinators
ALO Programme and outreach/POPO Scholarships
Siloma Faioso
Tel +64 3 556 5308
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Science Academy Te Wai Pounamu
Jenny Bennett
Tel +64 3 556 5605
Email jenny.bennett@otago.ac.nz
Pathways support and media
Eteri Tafā
Tel +64 3 556 6857
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
Mentoring Programme and media
Dahria West
Tel +64 3 556 7362
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
Academic support
Anita Samasoni
Tel +64 3 556 5524
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
Internship Programme
Kalesita Pole
Tel +64 3 556 7321
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
Communications and development
Adria Clark
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email adria.clark@otago.ac.nz
External engagement (Auckland)
Taitu'uga Christine Anesone
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email taituugachristine.anesone@otago.ac.nz
Assistant Research Fellow
Derek Fruean
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Email derek.fruean@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Teaching
This team supports Pacific health teaching across the Division of Health Sciences on the Dunedin Campus.
More about Pacific health teaching
Professor
Professor Rose Richards
Email rose.richards@Otago.ac.nz
Senior Lecturer
Dr Nese Ituaso Conway
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email nese.conway@otago.ac.nz
Senior Professional Practice Fellow
Dr Malama Tafuna'i
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email malama.tafunai@otago.ac.nz
Lecturer
Talai Mapusua Nabalagi
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email talai.mapusua@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Nation Liaison
Associate Professor Katharina Blattner
Email katharina.blattner@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Research
This team supports Pacific health research across the Division of Health Sciences on the Dunedin campus.
More about Pacific health research
Professor
Professor Pauline Norris
Email pauline.norris@otago.ac.nz
Research Associate Professor
Research Associate Professor Jesse Kokaua
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email jesse.kokaua@otago.ac.nz
Senior Research Fellows
Dr Louise Mainvil
Email louise.mainvil@otago.ac.nz
Dr Shyamala Nada-Raja
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email shyamala.nada-raja@otago.ac.nz
Research Fellows
Sarah Colhoun
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email sarah.colhoun@otago.ac.nz
Troy Ruhe
Email troy.ruhe@otago.ac.nz
Dr Vanda Symon
Tel +64 21 370 010
Email vanda.symon@otago.ac.nz
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr Namrata Chand
Email nam.chand@otago.ac.nz
Dr Jane Taafaki
Tel +64 21 199 6525
Email jane.taafaki@otago.ac.nz
Dr Inano Walter
Email inano.walter@otago.ac.nz
Takiala Pacific Health Leadership Network
The Takiala Group brings together Pacific leadership from across Health Sciences to provide strategic leadership in advancing the goals of the Pacific Strategic Framework.
- Professor Rose Richards, Associate Dean Pacific - Division of Health Sciences; Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Medicine – Dunedin (acting)
- Associate Professor Patrick Thomsen, Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Medicine – Wellington
- Dr Kiki Maoate, Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Medicine – Christchurch
- Ellery Fruean, Associate Dean Pacific, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Charleen Silcock, Associate Dean Pacific, School of Physiotherapy
- Dr Saki Baleivanualala, Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
- Yvonne Golpak, Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Dentistry
- Vaiao Grettel Williams, Manager, POPO Student Support Team
- Eirenei Tauai, President, PIHPSA (Pacific Island Health Professional Students Association)
Email pihpsaexec@gmail.com