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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 staff group photo

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

Va'a o Tautai logo graphic with four  symbols of the PacificThis 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 RichardsDirector 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 CockerellManager Va’a o Tautai/Centre for Pacific Health, Dunedin, Division of Health Sciences
  • Dr Xaviour WalkerConsultant Internal  and Preventative Medicine & Geriatrics, Southern DHB  and University of Otago Dunedin
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