The Office of the Associate Dean (Pacific), (OADP), oversees the operation of Pacific teaching, research, and student support activities in the Division of Health Sciences. These services are delivered through the Centre for Pacific Health, and the Pacific Islands Research and Student Support Unit (PIRSSU). All three entities work within Va'a o Tautai which provides strategic leadership for the Division of Health Sciences.
Meet our staff and the committee members who support the Office of the Associate Dean (Pacific).
Office of the Associate Dean (Pacific) staff
Faumuina Associate Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga
Faumuina is Associate Dean (Pacific), for the Division of Health Sciences and leads the Office
Faumuina is the high chief title from Fagaloa, Samoa. She trained as a medical doctor with expertise in public health and general practice. She is leading development in the Pacific Health curriculum in Health Sciences, through the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, and has wide connections and networks with the Pacific community in New Zealand and the Pacific region. Her research interests are in health workforce capacity building, transitioning students to higher education and Pacific health curriculum. She is currently undertaking doctoral studies on The health and well-being of Pacific students in higher education.
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email tai.sopoaga@otago.ac.nz
OADP staff
Fran commenced in her role in January 2017. Her role is to support the Associate Dean (Pacific) in the provision of operational oversight of the business management of the Office of the Associate Dean (Pacific) and the Pacific Islands Research and Student Support Unit (PIRSSU).
Prior to her current position, Fran was the Department Manager in the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, where she worked for 15 years.
Tel +64 3 471 6379
Email fran.cockerell@otago.ac.nz
Kati Blattner
Pacific Nations Liaison
Kati works as a rural doctor in the Hokianga. She has convened the Dunedin School of Medicine Rural Postgraduate Programme since 2008. She has worked with the Cook Islands Ministry of Health on building capacity and the workforce in primary health care culminating in the Cook Islands General Practice Training Programme.
Her areas of interest include improving quality of and access to health services, and education and vocational training for general practitioners in rural and remote communities.
Tel +64 21 457 736
Email katharina.blattner@otago.ac.nz
Sina Mualia
Assistant Research Fellow
Sina commenced her role in January 2020. She is currently tasked to provide support with special projects, research, publications and dissemination of data that supports the strategic directions of the Va’a o Tautai. An economist by profession, Sina previously worked in Samoa for both the Samoan Government and the private sector in the areas of trade, commerce, tourism, education and science. Her current interests lie in public health and in indigenous studies.
Tel +64 3 471 6197
Email pacific.health@otago.ac.nz
Frances Brebner
Pacific Regional Co-ordinator
Frances commenced in her role in March 2018. The role of Pacific Regional Co-ordinator is to strengthen the links and connectedness between Health Sciences, and the Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
Prior to her current position, Frances has worked in both the Cook Islands and Samoa, mainly in the areas of social and economic development, and most recently Frances worked in the Ministry of Health Samoa for 20 years.
Tel +64 3 471 6197
Mob +64 21 279 0964
Email pacific.region@otago.ac.nz
Barbara Weastell
Administrator
Barbara provides administrative and financial support to Faumuina and the Va’a o Tautai team.
Prior to her current position, Barbara was an administrator at Education Support Services at the College of Education for 12 years before becoming a Campus Temp, where she enjoyed several temporary administrative roles around the University.
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email pirssu@otago.ac.nz
Pacific committees
All our work would not be possible without the amazing support and guidance of the following pacific committees. We thank all committee members for their contributions and ongoing support of Pacific developments in the Division of Health Sciences.
Pacific Advisory Group (PAG)
The Pacific Advisory Group provides advice to the Associate Dean (Pacific), Va'a o Tautai, on matters that support the Division of Health Sciences engagement with the Pacific Community, aligned with the Pacific Strategic Framework. The Group works primarily in Dunedin campus and recognises local community contexts that support activities in Christchurch and Wellington campuses.
University of Otago Pacific Strategic Framework (PDF)
Members of the Pacific Advisory Group
- Mr Peni Qauqau (Chair) – Fiji
- Aiono Mino Cleverley – Samoa
- Mrs Koleti Ikahihifo – Tokelau
- Mrs Maria Lucas – Kiribati
- Mrs Keni Moeroa – Cook Islands
- Mr Afamasaga Pavihi – Samoa
- Mrs Finau Taungapeau – Tonga
- Mr Malosi Poma – Tuvalu
- Faumuina Associate Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga
- Dr Rose Richards
- Malama Tafuna'i
- Fran Cockerell
Pacific Reference Group (PRG)
The Pacific Reference Group is a high level group of University of Otago Pacific alumni and other senior colleagues. It provides advice to the Division of Health Sciences Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Associate Deans (Pacific), on strategic issues relevant to the University of Otago's Pacific engagement and service in New Zealand and the region.
- Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences (Chair)
- Division of Health Sciences Associate Dean (Pacific)
- Director Public Health, Secretariat Pacific Community, Noumea
- Chief Advisor Pacific, Ministry of Health
- Principal Advisor Pacific, Pacific Operations Directorate, Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
- Dean, School of Nursing and Medicine, Fiji National University
- Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Le Papaigalagala, NUS, Samoa
- President, Pasifika Medical Association
- Manager, Pacific Islands Centre, University of Otago
- Director, Pacific Development, University of Otago
- Director, International Office, University of Otago
- Pacific Manager, Counties Manukau, DHB
- Secretary of Health, Cook Islands
- Pacific Nations Liaison, Va’a o Tautai
- Public Health Specialist (Dr Ate Moala)
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist, Middlemore Hospital (Dr Kara Okesene)
- Associate Dean (Pacific), University of Otago, Wellington
- Associate Dean (Pacific), Dunedin School of Medicine
Pacific Strategic Group (PSG)
The Pacific Strategic Group supports the Division of Health Sciences Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Divisional Executive in leading Pacific strategic developments. It supports the Health Sciences division to achieve its objectives for Pacific developments as outlined in the University of Otago Pacific Strategic Framework (PDF).
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Health Sciences, Professor Paul Brunton, chairs the Pacific Strategic Group, which drives strategic direction and development throughout the Division of Health Sciences. Members of this group are nominated by the Deans of each Faculty or School within the Division.
Members of the Pacific Strategic Group
- Professor Paul Brunton (Chair), Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Division of Health Sciences
- Professor Richard Cannon Associate Dean (Research), Division of Health Sciences
- Professor Sunny Collings Dean and Head of Campus, University of Otago, Wellington
- Ratu Dr Osea Gavidi Associate Dean (Pacific), Faculty of Dentistry
- Professor Leigh Hale Dean, School of Physiotherapy
- Dr Kiki Maoate Associate Dean (Pacific), University of Otago, Christchurch
- Professor Carlo Marra Dean, School of Pharmacy
- Professor David Murdoch Dean and Head of Campus, University of Otago, Christchurch
- Professor Karl Lyons Acting Dean, Faculty of Dentistry
- Dr Rose Richards Associate Dean (Pacific), Dunedin School of Medicine and Director, Centre for Pacific Health, Va'a o Tautai
- Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu Associate Dean (Pacific), University of Otago, Wellington
- Faumuina Associate Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga Associate Dean (Pacific), Division of Health Sciences
- Professor Lois Surgenor Associate Dean (Academic), Division of Health Sciences
- Professor Barry Taylor Dean, Dunedin School of Medicine and Otagao Medical School
- Associate Professor Joel Tyndall, Associate Dean (Internationalisation), Division of Health Sciences
- Professor Vernon Ward Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences
- Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai Manager, Pacific Islands Centre
- Fran Cockerell Manager, Va'a o Tautai
Takiala Pacific Leadership Network
Takiala is the Tokelauan word for 'guide'
The Takiala Pacific Leadership Network members consist of Pacific Associate Deans and Pacific leaders in the Division of Health Sciences. It provides Pacific strategic leadership, guidance, oversight and support for the Division of Health Sciences’ Pacific and Pacific-related developments, aspirations and activities to ensure alignment with the University of Otago Pacific Strategic Framework (PDF).
Members of the Takiala Pacific Leadership Network
- Faumuina Associate Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga Associate Dean (Pacific), Chair
- Dr Rose Richards Associate Dean (Pacific), Dunedin School of Medicine, and Director, Centre for Pacific Health, Va'a o Tautai
- Dr Kiki Maote, Associate Dean (Pacific), University of Otago, Christchurch
- Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu Associate Dean (Pacific), University of Otago, Wellington
- Associate Professor Daryl Schwenke, Associate Dean (Pacific), School of Biomedical Sciences
- Ratu Dr Osea Gavidi, Associate Dean (Pacific), Faculty of Dentistry
- Kasey Brown, Pacific Advisor, School of Pharmacy
- Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma, Head of Department, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Wellington
- Fran Cockerell, Manager, Va’a o Tautai
