Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu CQS, DVC Pacific
Mālō e lelei, Mālō nī, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Faka’alofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kam na mauri, Halo, Tālofa, Halo olgeta, Kaselehlie, Fakatalofa atu, Halo oloketa, Noa’ia e mauri, Ia orana, Aloha mai e, Kia ora and Warm Pacific Greetings.
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific is honoured to extend a very warm Pacific welcome to you one and all, on behalf of the University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.
Thank you for taking time to find out more about Pacific at our University. We look forward to seeing you in person soon.
The University of Otago | Ōtākau Whakaihu Waka has made a very strong and public commitment to serving Pacific, and has a very proud history of impactful and influential Pacific students, staff and leaders.
We have held our Pacific Strategic Framework as an important plan to guide us all in our work to support Pacific students, staff, communities, teaching, research and operations.
Pacific Strategic Framework 2022–2030 (PDF)
We have also had incredible community support over the years from our respective Pacific communities near and far, and we are grateful for their help and guidance.
Our Pacific network
Here, you can find out more about our extensive Pacific network across the University of Otago | Ōtākau Whakaihu Waka and beyond.
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific
Our office provides the strategic focus and direction to drive organisational alignment, and achieve the strategic and growth goals for Pacific at the University of Otago | Ōtākau Whakaihu Waka.
Academic divisions
There are four academic divisions at the University of Otago | Ōtākau Whakaihu Waka with Pacific leaders and teams within each as follows:
Division of Health Sciences
- Pacific at Health Sciences
- Associate Dean (Pacific): Professor Rose Richards
Division of Humanities
- Pacific at Humanities
- Associate Dean (Pacific): Dr Michelle Schaaf
Division of Sciences
- Pacific at Sciences
- Associate Dean (Pacific): Dr Edmond Fehoko
Division of Commerce (Otago Business School)
- Pacific at Commerce
- Associate Dean (Pacific): Salā Esmay Lemalu-Etuati
Campuses
The University of Otago | Ōtākau Whakaihu Waka has campuses in five main centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Pacific leaders and teams at the satellite campuses are as follows:
Christchurch
- Associate Dean (Pacific): Dr Kiki Maoate ONZM MB ChB(Otago) FRACS
Wellington
- Pacific at Wellington
- Associate Dean (Pacific): TBC
Auckland
- Tula Malae/Head, Pacific Community Engagement: Tofilau Nina-Kirifi-Alai
Pacific centre
Within the Division of Health Sciences, there is Va’a o Tautai | Centre for Pacific Health.
Pacific school
Within the Division of Humanities, there is Te Tumu | School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies.
Pacific student success
The Pacific Islands Centre can help support students with academic assistance, scholarships and accommodation, legal and immigration matters – and more.
Otago University Students' Association (OUSA)
- Otago University Students' Association (OUSA)
- University of Otago Pacific Islands Student Association (UOPISA)
Affiliated member associations
Otago Sāmoan Students' Association (OSSA)
Email otagosamoanstudentsassn@gmail.com
Otago Tongan Students' Association (OTSA)
Email otsa.president@gmail.com
Otago Cook Islands Students' Association (OCISA)
Email ocisa016@gmail.com
Otago Fijian Islands Students' Association (OFISA)
Email bula.ofsa@gmail.com
Otago Kiribati Islands Students' Association (OKISA)
Email otagokiribatistudentassoc@gmail.com
Otago Melanesian Islands Students' Association (OMISA)
Email omisaexecutive@gmail.com
Otago Tokelau Association (TAVAKE)
Email tavakeota@gmail.com
Otago Niuean Students’ Association (ONSA)
Email otagoniueanstudentassociation@gmail.com
Biomedical Otago Pacific Students' Association (BOPSA)
Email bopsa.otago@gmail.com
Humanities Otago Pacific Students' Association (HOPSA)
Email otagopacifichumanities@gmail.com
Otago Pacific Island Commerce Students' Association (OPICSA)
Email opicsaotago@gmail.com
Pacific Islands Health Professional Students' Association (PIHPSA)
Email pihpsaexec@gmail.com
Pacific Islands Law Students' Association (PILSA)
Email pilsa.otago@otago.ac.nz
Science Students' Pacific Islands Association (SSPIA)
Email sspiaotago.executive@gmail.com