A great turn-out for the Pacific Welcome, attended by families of new students travelling from around New Zealand for the evening, the university staff and the wider Dunedin community.
New and returning Pacific students received a warm welcome at a special event held last week at the University of Otago.
The annual Pacific Welcome brought together families, Pacific community members and University staff - a tradition that has been going strong for more than 20 years.
This year’s gathering was held at the St David Lecture Theatre and featured introductions from Pacific Islands Centre Manager Lemalu (Matai - High Chief title from the village of Matautu, Lefaga in Samoa) Tagiilima Feleti, along with speeches, laughter, song, dance and plenty of shared kai.
For Lemalu Tagiilima, the evening is about setting the tone for the year ahead.
“The Pacific Welcome is about starting the year strong and grounded in who we are. It’s an opportunity to bring Pacific students, families, staff and community together so that from day one, students know they are supported, valued and not alone on this journey. When Pacific students succeed - we all succeed.”
The welcome provides an opportunity to bring students and their families together in a space where they feel seen, supported and celebrated, he says.
“It builds early connections and reinforces that success at Otago is not an individual journey, but a collective one grounded in community, culture and belonging.”
Another highlight of the evening was the official welcome from Vice-Chancellor Hon Grant Robertson, who shared simple but important advice for the year ahead.
Pacific students were encouraged to make the most of the range of academic, pastoral and cultural support services available throughout the year.
The Pacific Islands Centre remains a dedicated space on campus for connection, support and community – a home away from home for Pacific tauira.
- Talanoa by Viena Faiva, Pacific Communications Adviser
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