SIT Chief Executive, Bharat Guha, Student Support Services Manager, Trish Lindsay, and Pasifika Liaison, Sam Sala, along with local Pasifika leader and PIACT (Pacific Island Advisory Charitable Trust) Chairman, Doctor George Ngaei, and Meke Lome, PIACT Deputy Chair, visited Dunedin on 19th May to see the Va'a o Tautai - Centre for Pacific Health at Otago University, and to meet with centre leader, Faumuina Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga and her leadership team.
The Va'a o Tautai- Centre for Pacific Health (VoT) provides POPO programmes, evidenced-based support programmes for Pacific students studying towards a career in health at the University of Otago and is leading the way in Pacific health teaching and indigenous-based research for capacity building. POPO was awarded the Sunpix Pacific Peoples’ service excellence award for its work with Pacific students in 2024.
Dr Ngaei who has been closely involved in the fledgling project, said the initiative reflects increasing demand and is a natural next step. “The number of Pasifika students here is bigger than people realise,” he says, with around 100 Pasifika students currently enrolled in Invercargill campus programmes and more students coming through, as well as over 200 enrolled in SIT’s online programmes, linking from across New Zealand and throughout the Pacific.
He emphasised the concept of a dedicated space is about more than facilities — it is about creating a culturally grounded environment where students feel supported and connected.
“Places like this give Pasifika students a safe space – somewhere they can come together, support each other, and focus on their studies. It’s about fellowship, pastoral care, and helping each other succeed.”
The proposal is advancing through collaboration with SIT staff, with discussions led by Mr Guha, in response to the growing Pasifika cohort.
Dr Ngaei said the Dunedin meeting was highly productive and would help to progress the project at SIT.
“It was an excellent meeting. We brought together experienced people, and in a short time we achieved what would usually take several meetings. We came away in good spirits; confident this will build a lasting relationship.”
“Professor Sopoaga is Samoan and holds the chiefly title Faumuina and was awarded the Prime Minister’s award for excellence in tertiary teaching. Dr Conway was a former health CEO for the Tuvalu government, and Talai Mapusua leads academic teaching in Pacific and Global Health papers. All are highly respected leaders in their communities. They were a good source of information to help SIT develop the right kind of space for Pacific students with a centre that works well,” Dr Ngaei said.
Mr Guha says taking a firsthand look at the Pasifika support centre and bringing together key stakeholders to share insights and explore how successful Pasifika spaces operate in practice, will help to shape the SIT initiative. “The proposed space at SIT aims to reflect models already proven elsewhere, while being tailored to the needs of Pasifika students in Southland.”
“The development aligns with SIT’s commitment to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments and strengthening outcomes for Pasifika learners in our region.”
Professor Sopoaga said the success of Pacific developments at VoT is through the unwavering support of the Pacific community, underpinned by strong faith in the sovereign God to guide the way forward. “Strategic plans, meaningful community engagement, and investment are needed,” she said.
“We would like to take the opportunity to inform Invercargill’s Pasifika community what we are undertaking, especially for their community. This is about building something that reflects who our Pasifika students are and what they need to succeed in Southland.” Mr Guha said.