Otago appoints inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific

Championing the vision for Pacific, by Pacific, into the Pacific, and ensuring a place for all, are key strategic priorities for the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka’s new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific.

Associate Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, immunologist and the current Associate Dean, Pacific, in the Division of Health Sciences, will take up the position in February 2025.

Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson is thrilled to appoint her to the new role.

“This is an historic appointment. The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is the first university in Aotearoa New Zealand to appoint a person at Deputy Vice-Chancellor level responsible for the leadership and oversight of its strategic goals, and prioritised areas of impact and growth for Pacific. This is a recognition of the significance of the role of Pacific staff and students, our relationships with Pacific communities here in Aotearoa and in the region.

“We are delighted to be appointing someone of Dianne’s standing and calibre to this new role. It is key to enabling Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka to build on its achievements to date and strengthen its commitment to being a truly Pacific university, supporting achievement and success of Pacific researchers, teachers and students,” he says.

Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu is a highly experienced and respected member of the Pacific, and University, academic and scientific communities. Her leadership and academic skills are driven by a strong commitment towards equity and addressing health inequities.

As Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific, she will be integral to leading the University’s Pacific agenda.

She will lead the rollout of Pacific strategic commitments expressed in Pae Tata and Vision 2040 – transforming lives, connecting communities, and nurturing the environment; and the implementation and monitoring of the Pacific Strategic Framework 2022–2030.

She will also lead the Office of Pacific Development, be a key member of the senior leadership team and will work with key stakeholders to enhance Pacific academic excellence at the University to increase levels of student participation, retention and success.

Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu says the establishment of the role at this point in time marks an important milestone for the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, especially for Pacific staff, students and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region and beyond.

“It is a tremendous honour to have been appointed and I acknowledge the hard work, commitment and advocacy of many who laid important foundations to enable a significant leadership role such as this to be instituted for the first time within Aotearoa New Zealand.

“The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has a proud history of impactful, influential and dedicated Pacific staff, students and community, health and research leaders and teams, who have all contributed to the focus, development and progression of a Pacific agenda and also to the Pacific Strategic Framework over the years.

“The establishment of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific role now provides the mechanism to help further drive this incredible work and promote a collective, connected approach to Pacific prioritisation, visibility and leadership which will enable the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka to continue building and growing its Pacific focus on research, teaching and service settings for students, staff, communities, the Pacific region, and beyond.”

She says her approach to work and leadership can be summarised through a Samoan proverb, ‘O le ala i le pule o le tautua’ which translates as ‘the pathway to leadership is through service’.

“My parents left Tonga in the 1960s to settle in Aotearoa New Zealand, my father used to play rugby for Tonga and mum was a secretary. They essentially gave up everything they had to ensure that my brother and I had access to the opportunities that they would never have, and so I carry a strong sense of responsibility to use the skills that I have to be useful to others and give back and contribute constructively to society. As a Pacific academic scientist, educator and researcher it is also very important for me to be of service to Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region as well.

“With respect to the operationalisation of Otago’s strategic and growth goals, my intent is to continue demonstrating leadership through service by providing direction and enabling, empowering and uplifting others through respect, reciprocity through two-way dialogue and interactions, and by focusing on people and on building relationships, to achieve these collective goals.

“My overall aim as the first Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific for Otago is to champion the vision for Pacific, by Pacific, into the Pacific, and to help ensure that the University of Otago-Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is a place where all feel they belong,” she says.

Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu’s work focuses on cancer, rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, and infectious diseases, with a focus on equity and addressing health inequities for disproportionately impacted and affected communities.

Known for her evidence-based science communication and her engagement efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region, she became one of the leading scientific voices during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She has many accolades to her name including the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Callaghan Medal, which she received last month for science communication, the first Pacific scientist to receive the honour; the 2023 Liley Medal awarded to a team she was a part of, by the Health Research Council of New Zealand; the 2022 Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize which she received for her commitment to communication and her work during the Covid-19 pandemic, again she was the first Pacific scientist to receive the award; and a Royal Order bestowed by the late King George Tupou V of Tonga in recognition of scientific achievement.

Associate Professor Sika-Paotonu will start in the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pacific role on February 1, 2025. Upon taking the role she will also be appointed as a Professor.

Professor Rose Richards will step down from her role as Director, Pacific Development (Acting) at the end of January 2025.

Mr Robertson acknowledged Professor Richards’ contribution.

“Rose has provided strong and impactful leadership in her role. She has been a valuable and highly regarded member of our leadership team and has strengthened our relationships with Pacific communities,” he says.