Lemalu Christina Mualia says the journey of entering her field of work as one of only a handful of women only strengthened her determination to keep learning.
Returning to Otago was never simply a career move for alumna Lemalu Christina Mualia. It was a homecoming.
Lemalu Christina, who graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science and a Diploma for Graduates in Sciences, stepped into the role of Head of Enterprise Digital Support earlier this year.
Her appointment also marks a significant milestone, as Lemalu Christina is the first Pacific woman to hold the Head of Enterprise Digital Support role at the University of Otago.
"As an Otago graduate myself, returning to the University felt like coming home," Lemalu Christina says.
"It was an opportunity to contribute to an institution that has had such a significant impact on my family and on many Pacific families across generations."
Lemalu Christina comes from the villages of Apia, Matautu-Lefaga, Faleasiu and Vailoa, Aleipata. Her family's Otago journey started when her father travelled from Samoa to Dunedin on scholarship in 1967. The Honourable Tapusātele Le Māmea Tuiletufuga Lemalu Su’a Leatuavao, Dr Ropati Mualia, became New Zealand’s first Samoan to earn a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), graduating from Otago in 1970.
Lemalu Christina Mualia with her parents, the Honourable Tapusātele Le Māmea Tuiletufuga Lemalu Su’a Leatuavao, Dr Ropati Mualia and Maiava Elisa Mualia.
Something that clearly inspired the next generation.
“Six out of seven of my siblings have graduated from Otago, alongside two grandchildren, while three more are currently studying at the University,” she says.
In her new role, Lemalu Christina leads the teams responsible for many of the digital services that staff and students rely on every day, including digital workspace services, end-user computing, digital learning spaces, audiovisual support, deployments, and support services across the University's campuses.
She leads a distributed support function spanning multiple campuses and service areas, supporting the digital experience of thousands of staff and students across the University.
Her appointment marks the latest chapter in a career that has taken her across New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, and the wider Pacific, working in technology, telecommunications, higher education, government, insurance, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Along the way, Lemalu Christina has led teams, delivered organisational change, and supported initiatives designed to improve outcomes for people and communities.
Yet despite her extensive experience, Lemalu Christina remains grounded in the values that have guided her throughout her life.
"My faith has always been my foundation, alongside the values instilled in me by my father," she says.
Looking back, she sees every challenge, opportunity, success, and setback as preparation for where she is today.
Her leadership philosophy is equally shaped by her Samoan heritage. Central to that is the principle, "O le ala i le pule, o le tautua" – the pathway to leadership is through service.
"Leadership is not about titles or status; it’s about serving people, creating opportunities, building capability, and helping others succeed."
That commitment to service has been a constant throughout her career, particularly as she navigated an industry where women have been under-represented.
"When I first entered the technology field, it was common to be one of only a handful of women in a lecture theatre, meeting room, or workplace dominated by men.”
Rather than seeing that as a barrier, Lemalu Christina says it strengthened her determination to keep learning, step forward, and create opportunities for others.
Representation remains important to her, and she hopes her appointment encourages Pacific students and staff to see leadership pathways as achievable.
"My journey has shown me that through faith, hard work, perseverance and service, there should be no limit to what we can achieve."
As she begins this new chapter, Lemalu Christina's focus is firmly on the future.
“I remain committed to serving our people, supporting our teams and helping create opportunities for others to succeed.
“If my journey encourages even one person to step forward, pursue their ambitions, and believe in their potential, then that will be something I am incredibly proud of.”
~ Talanoa by Viena Faiva, Adviser Communications (Pacific).