Hui Whakanui Tauira Award Celebration 2024
The Hui Whakanui Tauira Award Celebration was held on Friday, 15 November 2024 for the University of Otago, Wellington (UOW) at the Nordmeyer Lecture Theatre.
The UOW Pacific Office awarded a mixture of six awards and prizes to UOW Pacific Students every year.
A selection of Postgraduate Awards, Medical Prizes, Leadership, and Hauora Māori prizes were awarded and included the following Pacific winners.
Pacific Postgraduate Award winners 2024
Iva Vakalalabure
Shared Winner of the Pacific Postgraduate Award 2024, Iva Vakalalabure.
Ni sa bula vina'a and Kia orana. I'm Iva and this year I started my PhD journey with UOW.
My favourite thing about research so far, is that it studies problems and looks for solutions to those problems too, and I think that's beautiful. I've had the opportunity to work with and learn from so many different experts, with great mentors too. I’ve learned so much about Pacific health, the region and how it fits in the wider community.
I never thought I could pursue a PhD, but now that I am, I hope to inspire others who doubt themselves to consider further studies in Pacific research too.
Salote Makasini
Shared Winner of the Pacific Postgraduate Award 2024, Salote Makasini and Associate Professor, Dianne Sika-Paotonu (left).
Mālō e lelei, ko hoku hingoa ko Salote Makasini pea ko 'eku ongo matu'a ko Taina Makasini mei Masilamea, Tongatapu, mo Kilikili Makasini mei Utungake Vava'u, Kolomotu'a, mo Tofoa Tongatapu. Fakafeta'i kihe 'Otua 'ihe 'ene tauhi moe foaki poto kuou a'usia 'ae pale ni.
I was born and raised in Central Auckland before moving to Dunedin to study at Otago. It has been a long and tough road of trying to navigate many obstacles and 'plan B's' throughout my learning journey to pursue my passion of working with children in health. I am immensely grateful to Professor Fiona Graham, Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu and the RTRU department for supporting me in my Masters research – exploring the lives of Tongan children living with a Neurodisability in Aotearoa.
Pacific Leadership Award winner 2024
Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu and Agnes Valasi.
Pacific Medical Prize winner 2024
My name is Jennifer Irshad, and I am Rotuman.
I moved to Dunedin in 2021 to start university and moved to Wellington this year to complete the remainder of my medical degree.
I've enjoyed my learning this year and I am grateful for the support from the Pacific staff at UOW .
Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu and Jennifer Irshad.
6th Year Pacific Prize winner 2024
Moala Katoa and Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu.
Pacific Research Prize winner 2024
Ainsleyana Puleiata and Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu.
Pacific Allied Health Prize winner 2024
Lucas Taumoepeau.
The winner of the Pacific Allied Health prize was Lucas Taumoepeau.
Pacific families and community supporters 2024
Head of Campus and Dean, Professor William Levack (far right). Associate Professor, Dianne Sika-Paotonu (middle), Pacific office staff, students and families.