Va'a o Tautai has a diverse team working in New Zealand and the Pacific region on health matters important to Pacific Communities.
The Va'a o Tautai team in the Division of Health Sciences on Dunedin campus.
Most of our team are based at 71 Frederick Street, Dunedin. Our main entrance is at the back of the building, through the carpark off Malcolm Street.
Google maps for 71 Frederick Street, Dunedin.
Va'a o Tautai Executive
This team provides strategic leadership and oversees academic and support programmes, and regional engagement in the Pacific.
The University of Otago Pacific Strategic Framework 2022-2030 underpins this work.
VoT Director
Faumuina Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email tai.sopoaga@otago.ac.nz
Deputy Director
Professor Rose Richards
Currently seconded to the Office of Pacific Development
VoT Co-Deputy Directors (Acting)
Dr Nese Ituaso Conway
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email nese.conway@otago.ac.nz
Talai Mapusua Nabalagi
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email talai.mapusua@otago.ac.nz
VoT Manager
Fran Cockerell
Tel +64 3 471 6379
Email managerVOT@otago.ac.nz
VoT Deputy Manager
Kalameli Fagasoaia
Tel +64 3 479 5256
Mob +64 21 279 1484
Email kala.fagasoaia@otago.ac.nz
Operations and administration
This team provides support across Va'a o Tautai activities.
VoT Manager
Fran Cockerell
Tel +64 3 471 6379
Email managerVOT@otago.ac.nz
Divisional Services administrators
Aitasi Uele
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email vot@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Academic Administrator
Ripeka Hakopa
Email ripeka.hakopa@otago.ac.nz
POPO programme
Shirin Manins
Tel +64 3479 8493
Email shirin.manins@otago.ac.nz
Barbara Weastell
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email barbara.weastell@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Regional Co-ordinator
Leilani Pereira-Moeono
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email pacific.region@otago.ac.nz
Student Support
This team supports academic excellence in the Division of Health Sciences and aims to increase the Pacific health workforce through a number of tailored programmes.
All general enquiries to:
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
More about student support programmes
POPO Manager
Grettel Williams
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Mob +64 21 279 0277
Email popo@otago.ac.nz
Programme Co-ordinators
Internship Programme: Kalameli Fagasoaia
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Mob +64 21 279 1484
Email popoint@otago.ac.nz
Mentoring Programme: Tafā Tuputau Tafā Laulu
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Email popomnt@otago.ac.nz
Media: Letava Thompson
Mob +64 21 279 8475
Email letava.thompson@otago.ac.nz
Academic Support: Feagamaalii Clinton Pupi
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Email popoacd@otago.ac.nz
ALO Programme: Taitu'uga Christine Anesone
Tel +64 3 479 8493
Email taituugachristine.anesone@otago.ac.nz
Assistant Research Fellow
Derek Fruean
Tel +64 3 471 6360
Email derek.fruean@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Teaching
This team supports Pacific health teaching across the Division of Health Sciences on the Dunedin Campus.
More about Pacific health teaching
Senior Lecturer
Dr Nese Ituaso Conway
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email nese.conway@otago.ac.nz
Senior Professional Practice Fellow
Dr Malama Tafuna'i
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email malama.tafunai@otago.ac.nz
Lecturer
Talai Mapusua Nabalagi
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email talai.mapusua@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Nation Liaison
Associate Professor Katharina Blattner
Email katharina.blattner@otago.ac.nz
Pacific Health Research
This team supports Pacific health research across the Division of Health Sciences on the Dunedin campus.
More about Pacific health research
Professor
Professor Pauline Norris
Email pauline.norris@otago.ac.nz
Senior Research Fellows
Dr Jesse Kokaua
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email jesse.kokaua@otago.ac.nz
Dr Louise Mainvil
Email louise.mainvil@otago.ac.nz
Dr Shyamala Nada-Raja
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email shyamala.nada-raja@otago.ac.nz
Research Fellows
Sarah Colhoun
Tel +64 3 479 4328
Email sarah.colhoun@otago.ac.nz
Troy Ruhe
Email troy.ruhe@otago.ac.nz
Dr Vanda Symon
Tel +64 21 370 010
Email vanda.symon@otago.ac.nz
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Jane Taafaki
Tel +64 21 199 6525
Email jane.taafaki@otago.ac.nz
Takiala Pacific Health Leadership Network
The Takiala Pacific Health Leadership Network comprises all the Associate Deans Pacific in the Division of Health Sciences, and also includes Pacific leaders. This group provides the strategic leadership for Pacific development and regional engagement for the Division of Health Sciences.
Associate Dean's Pacific
- Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, Associate Dean Pacific, Division of Health Sciences
- Dr Letava Tafuna'i
, Associate Dean Pacific, Dunedin School of Medicine
Email letava.tafunai@otago.ac.nz - Dr Kiki Maoate Associate Dean Pacific, University of Otago, Christchurch
- Dr Ruth Toumu’a, Associate Dean Pacific, University of Otago, Wellington
Our Pacific community offers heartfelt condolences to Ruth's family and loved ones on the tragic news of her passing on 15 May 2024. - Dr Vanda Symon, Associate Dean Pacific, School of Pharmacy
- Charleen Silcock, Associate Dean Pacific, School of Physiotherapy
Email charleen.silcock@otago.ac.nz - Dr Latika Samalia, Associate Dean Pacific (Academic), School of Biomedical Sciences
- Dr Allamanda Fa'atoese, Associate Dean Pacific (Strategic), School of Biomedical Sciences
- Dr Htin Lin Aung, Associate Dean Pacific (Research), School of Biomedical Sciences
- Professor Darryl Tong, Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Dentistry
Pacific Leaders
- Professor Rose Richards, Director Office of Pacific Development, Senior Leadership Team, University of Otago
- Professor Faumuina Fa’afetai Sopoaga, Director Va’a o Tautai/Centre for Pacific Health, Dunedin, Division of Health Sciences
- Fran Cockerell, Manager Va’a o Tautai/Centre for Pacific Health, Dunedin, Division of Health Sciences
- Dr Xaviour Walker, Consultant Internal and Preventative Medicine & Geriatrics, Southern DHB and University of Otago Dunedin