Welcoming Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s new Pasifika leader
Our new Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika), Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett, was welcomed with a pōhiri followed by an ‘ava ceremony at Te Herenga Waka marae and Ngā Mokopuna on Friday 26 September.
Reverend Vaegaau Liko spoke after Emma was welcomed as tangata whenua of the University, as a member of her family, saying that the ceremony symbolised a new season of leadership.
“You have been entrusted with vision, leadership, responsibility, and influence.” He explained that leadership grounded in faith listens before it speaks, and values people over performance, recognising the skills Emma brings into her new role.
Provost Professor Bryony James, then welcomed Emma, commenting to her colleagues from MFAT who were at the ceremony, that we are “sorry, not sorry” for stealing her away.
After expressing her delight at having Emma join us as a leader, Bryony shared the Samoan proverb ‘E so’o le fau i le fau: a thread cannot hold on its own—it’s strength comes from being interwoven with other threads to create a fine mat’. She explained, “Our strength is in our unity, and we are excited to stand alongside you as we work towards Pasifika success.”
The university plays a pivotal role in Emma’s family story, with her parents meeting here in 1962. Her mother, Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop would later become the inaugural director of Te Herenga Waka’s Va’aomanu Pasifika in 2006.
Emma gave a heartfelt thanks to her ‘aiga and friends, acknowledging the important role each of them had played in shaping her journey to this appointment. “My mother is a fearless champion of Tangata Moana who urged my sisters and I to rise higher, to stretch beyond limitations, and to pursue our purpose with courage. I am committed to carrying this forward in this role.”
Emma added, “I believe in the brilliance of Tangata Moana and that this is a place where they can soar,” explaining how happy she was to be part of the incredible team at Te Herenga Waka, and to build on the work of Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban and more recently Fabie Masoe who acted in the role for much of this year.
Rawinia wrapped up proceedings by acknowledging the pou and carvings in the wharenui that Emma can hold as her own. The group then went to Ngā Mokopuna for the hākari to mark the end of the pōhiri, before the ‘ava ceremony, an important Samoan tradition which is used to celebrate important milestones.
An ‘ava ceremony comprises two sides: the village (university) side, which was led by orator and director of Va’aomanū Pasifika Le’asuālilō Dr Sadat Muaiava, and the visitors (family) side which was led by orator Hon Aupito Su’a William Sio. Also included in the ceremony were Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith, Rawinia, Bryony and Pasifika staff for the village, and H.E. Afamasaga Toleafoa, Judge Francis Eivers, community leaders Ken Ah Kuoi, Tagaloa Junior Ulu, and Jaistone Finau, and Emma’s family, Tagaloatele, and Simon.
In summarising the significance ofthe ceremony, H.E. Afamasaga Toleafoa, Samoa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand said, “Emma comes here and we have given her our love and support. Our knowledge is often underacknowledged, but this is where we want our young people to be. This ceremony is much deeper than words.”
The event ended with a shared lunch in Wan Solwara, the Pasifika space in the Library. Speaking of the welcome, Emma said, “I am overwhelmed by the beauty of the event. It illustrates the value that Te Herenga places on culture, community and connection, which are so important to Tangata Moana. For the time they—and indeed all students—anchor their waka at the university, I want them to know that they belong, and that Te Herenga Waka is their place.”