Our Va'a o Tautai people

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

Ripeka Hakopa
Email ripeka.hakopa@otago.ac.nz

POPO programme

Shirin Manins
Tel +64 3479 8493
Email shirin.manins@otago.ac.nz

Barbara Weastell
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email barbara.weastell@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 3 471 6360
Mob +64 21 279 0277
Email popo@otago.ac.nz

Programme Co-ordinators

Internship Programme: Kalameli Fagasoaia

Tel +64 3 471 6360
Mob +64 21 279 1484
Email popoint@otago.ac.nz

Mentoring Programme: Tafā Tuputau Tafā Laulu
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Email popomnt@otago.ac.nz

Media: Letava Thompson
Mob +64 21 279 8475
Email letava.thompson@otago.ac.nz

Academic Support: Feagamaalii Clinton Pupi
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Email popoacd@otago.ac.nz

ALO Programme: 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