Senior Pacific leaders from the eight universities around New Zealand met at the University of Otago recently. They are pictured here in the University Clocktower with Otago Vice-Chancellor Hon Grant Robertson, following a mihi whakatau.
The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka recently welcomed Komiti Pasifika back to Dunedin, hosting its final assembly for 2025, and marking an important and significant occasion for Pacific leadership across Aotearoa New Zealand’s universities.
The assembly brought together senior Pacific leaders from the eight universities around the country, where the day started with a mihi whakatau held in the Clocktower Council Chambers, a brief campus tour, followed by Talanoa discussions focused on collective strategic priorities moving forward.
The Komiti Pasifika was established in 2018 under the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors Committee and Universities New Zealand Te Pōkai Tara. Intended to bring together the most senior Pacific leaders from each university, the Komiti was created to promote the collective national interests of Pacific peoples in the tertiary sector and to provide strategic advice on key matters relating to Pacific advancement.
A central part of the day’s reflections was the legacy of the late Dr Tasileta Teevale, former Director of the Pacific Development Office at Otago and a past Chair of Komiti Pasifika. Her leadership, service, and vision helped shape the Komiti’s role and strengthen its foundations nationally. Her contribution was warmly acknowledged as an enduring source of guidance and inspiration.
Komiti Pasifika members (left to right): Joeana Togiaso, Director Pacific Development Canterbury University; Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett, AVC Pacific Victoria University of Wellington; Reverend Alofa Lale, Associate Minister Dunedin - First Church of Otago; Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, DVC (Pacific) University of Otago; Professor Jemaima Tiatia, PVC Pacific University of Auckland; Melvin Taupulega Jnr Apulu, Director Student Success Massey University.
This year also marks the return of leadership to Otago with Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Pacific), newly appointed as Chair of Komiti Pasifika, taking over from Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pacific) at the University of Auckland.
Dianne’s appointment was celebrated as both a continuation of the Komiti’s history and the beginning of a renewed chapter grounded in service and collaboration across the Pacific.
In her welcome, Professor Dianne highlighted the significance of the Komiti’s work.
“The Komiti Pasifika has the opportunity and responsibility to help articulate and amplify the strategic focus for Pacific across the tertiary sector currently.
"The Komiti is also a mechanism to promote further visibility of the Pacific focus at our institutions, and to champion Pacific aspirations and voices within the sector and beyond.
"At this time, we also respectfully remember the late Dr Tasilate Teevale and acknowledge her hard work and efforts toward establishing the Komiti Pasifika here in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Incoming Komiti Pasifika Chair Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, DVC (Pacific) University of Otago.
Otago Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson also acknowledged the significance of the occasion, noting the University’s Pacific Strategic Framework, alongside Otago’s strong and unwavering commitment to Pacific, and ensuring meaningful Pacific engagement.
Massey University’s representative Melvin Taupulega Jnr Apulu, then responded on behalf of the Komiti, by acknowledging the importance of their work for the Pacific communities on campuses.
Dianne says the visit closed with a strong sense of unity, purpose, and forward momentum.
“As Komiti Pasifika continues its work, its legacy of service and its renewed leadership at Otago signals a confident path ahead for Pacific advancement across Aotearoa’s university sector,” she says.
- Talanoa by Viena Faiva (Pacific Communications Adviser)