Dr Amanaki Lelei He Lotu Misa, pictured following his graduation yesterday, became the first known Pacific graduate from the University of Otago’s Doctor of Business Administration programme. His doctoral research focused on exploring oral health services for Pacific families in the Canterbury region.
For Dr Amanaki Misa, graduating with a Doctor of Business Administration was never going to be a milestone he achieved alone.
When he crossed the graduation stage yesterday, Amanaki became the first known Pacific graduate from the University of Otago’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme, an achievement he's still struggling to take in.
“Far from it. Everything feels so surreal. I still have to pinch myself to ensure I’m fully awake and not in a dream world,” he says.
More than the title or qualification, Amanaki says the moment was something bigger than himself.
“It means service. Luke 12:48 implores us with the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’.
“I firmly believe that whatever blessings or talents our good Lord has blessed us with, they are not meant just for us. They are meant to enrich and bless our community and families, regardless of status, creed, or race.”
Born and raised in Havelu, Tongatapu, and now based in Christchurch, Amanaki had already built a career across policy, community development and health management before returning to study.
His decision to pursue doctoral study grew from a long-standing interest in research and academia, but also from thinking about the next generation. He wanted to combine the leadership lessons he had gathered through years of work with current research and theory so he could one day “pass on” the baton” to emerging leaders.
His doctoral research, Tala Kae Pau: Tongan children's engagement with the Canterbury Community Oral Health Service, explored oral health services for Pacific families in Canterbury, particularly why Tongan families enrolled in public dental care continued to have high missed-appointment rates.
Using a more collaborative approach to his research meant his work centred the voices of families and what they believed needed to change.
“You cannot have a health system without the voices of health consumers,” Amanaki said during his doctoral journey.
“Families are the owners of their health journeys; they are the drivers of change.”
The degree came after years of balancing research, work, and family life.
Dr Amanaki Lelei He Lotu Misa pictured with his wife Dr Tule Misa.
In November 2025, Amanaki resigned from his job so he could focus fully on completing his thesis, which he submitted the following month. He described being able to make that decision as a privilege and blessing, made possible because his wife Dr Tule Misa, clinical director of the Canterbury Community Oral Health Services, continued working full time.
“She and I are familiar with making sacrifices in order to achieve our goals and aspirations,” he says.
“Now that my studies are over, I am actively looking for a job that enables me to give back to my community in a way that inspires and enables emerging leaders to shine and provide leadership wherever they may be.”
When graduation day arrived, Amanaki’s thoughts were with his support system; his wife and children, his parents, his late parents-in-law, his siblings, nieces and nephews, and his wider kāinga across Tonga, Aotearoa, Australia and the United States.
Graduation day saw a large community presence in attendance celebrating this amazing milestone with Amanaki and his family. In true Tongan tradition, Amanaki’s family celebrated from morning through to night, bringing together academics, members of the Tongan community and wider family who travelled from overseas to break bread with Amanaki, marking the special occasion.
Graduation may have marked the end of the doctorate, but Amanaki’s work with his communities continues.
In June, he returned to his Tongan community co-researchers for a follow-up workshop, where talanoa reinforced the need for more conversations about oral health and visiting oral health professionals.
He also spent the first few months of 2026 working with his supervisors to publish parts of his research and contributed to work with Tonga National University. At the end of this month, he is due to return to Tonga to support TNU’s School of Business and Tourism.
“I am grateful for the opportunities to keep giving back and working with motivated, dedicated learners, whether young or old,” he says.
Believed to be Otago’s first Pacific DBA graduate, Amanaki hopes the milestone will make the pathway feel more possible for those coming behind him.
“I hope Pacific students, both current and potential, will be inspired to pursue doctoral studies and sharpen their research skills so they can inspire and encourage others to see academia as a viable career option.”
– Talanoa by Pacific Communications Adviser Viena Faiva