Support for Pacific Islands Students, Division of Humanities, University of Otago, New Zealand

Pacific Islands Students' Support

Warm Pacific Greetings

Sia Lei image 2021
Talofa Lava, my name is Sia Lei-Mata’afa and I am the Pacific Islands Students’ Support Officer in the Humanities Division.

I am Samoan, born and raised in Dunedin. I have a Bachelor of Teaching endorsed in Primary Education from the University of Otago, College of Education.

I am excited to be supporting students from the Pacific Islands. I am here to work with you, support you, and assist you on your academic journey to Otago.

As the support person for Pacific Islands students enrolled in Humanities papers and degrees my key responsibilities are:

To liaise with academic departments and support services with respect to any issues relating to you and your course of study
To act as a point of contact for all Pacific Islands students enrolled in Humanities papers and degrees
To facilitate access to pastoral care, student services, course planning advice within the university

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, feedback or concerns. Please be assured that all information you share will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Contact details

Tel +64 3 479 9616
Email pacificsupport.humanities@otago.ac.nz
Office Room 5C9a, Fifth Floor, Arts Building
95 Albany Street, University of Otago, Dunedin

My office hours

Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm | Friday 9:00am – 12:30pm

Please send me an email to make an appointment if you would like to meet at a time outside my regular office hours.

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Departmental Pacific Islands Students contacts

Anthropology & Archaeology		Professor Glenn Summerhayes glenn.summerhayes@otago.ac.nz
Classics		Dr Arlene Allan arlene.allan@otago.ac.nz
College of Education
	Dunedin Campus	Karina Nafatali karina.nafatali@otago.ac.nz Trish Wells trish.wells@otago.ac.nz
	Southland Campus	Raiha Johnson raiha.johnson@otago.ac.nz


English and Linguistics		Dr Rochelle Simmons rochelle.simmons@otago.ac.nz
Geography		Ben Varkalis btv@geography.otago.ac.nz ^ Top of page
History and Art History		Professor Judy Bennett judy.bennett@otago.ac.nz
Languages and Cultures		Dr Christiane Leurquin christiane.leurquin@otago.ac.nz
Faculty of Law		Professor Rex Ahdar rex.ahdar@otago.ac.nz
Media, Film and Communication		Dr Kevin Fisher kevin.fisher@otago.ac.nz
Music, Theatre and Performing Arts	Music	Dr Jennifer Cattermole jennifer.cattermole@otago.ac.nz
	Theatre Studies	Lisa Warrington lisa.warrington@otago.ac.nz
	Bachelor of Performing Arts	Dr Suzanne Little suzanne.little@otago.ac.nz ^ Top of page
National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies		Associate Professor SungYong Lee sungyong.lee@otago.ac.nz
Philosophy		Associate Professor Andrew Moore andrew.moore@otago.ac.nz
Politics		Dr Iati Iati (First Semester) iati.iati@otago.ac.nz Associate Professor Brian Roper (Second Semester) brian.roper@otago.ac.nz
Psychology		Dr Mele Taumoepeau mele@psy.otago.ac.nz
Religion		Associate Professor John Shaver john.shaver@otago.ac.nz
Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology		Associate Professor Patrick Vakaoti patrick.vakaoti@otago.ac.nz
Te Tumu		Dr Michelle Schaaf michelle.schaaf@otago.ac.nz
Theology		Professor Murray Rae murray.rae@otago.ac.nz ^ Top of Page

Library Contacts

Jacinta Beckwith
Kaitiaki Mātauranga, Hocken Library
jacinta.beckwith@otago.ac.nz

Katherine Milburn
Hocken Library
katherine.milburn@otago.ac.nz

Amanda Mills
Liaison Librarian, Hocken Library
amanda.mills@otago.ac.nz

Student Learning Development

Pauline Brook
pauline.brook@otago.ac.nz
+64 3 479 5788