Vaka Tangata Moana—Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika
Vaka Tangata Moana is where the journeys meet, where strengths are harnessed, and where futures are shaped.
Our team is here to walk with and alongside you while you are at Te Herenga Waka, helping you to realise your brilliance. At Vaka Tangata Moana we connect peoples, we nurture leadership, we elevate Pacific knowledges, we build enduring partnerships, and we influence systemic change.
Vaka Tangata Moana is an aiga of 11 people—who draw on the expertise and resources of the university (nu’u)—to support Pacific success.
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika
Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett
Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Pasifika
Senior Adviser, Pasifika Success (Staff)
Pelesa Semu
Senior Adviser, Pasifika Success (Staff)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Vaka Tangata Moana
Pasifika Administrator
Hugh Laurenson
Administrator, Pasifika
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Vaka Tangata Moana
Wan Tautai
Our team of Tautai (Advisers) are here to provide holistic, culturally grounded support to Pasifika students throughout their journey with us. When you start at Te Herenga Waka, you will be assigned a dedicated Tautai (Adviser). Your Tautai (Adviser) is here to talanoa with you about any challenges you are facing as you navigate University, connect you with other student services, and connect you with academic staff.
In addition to your Tautai (Adviser), you are also assigned a Titoko Student Success Adviser who can help you plan out your programme of study, change the courses or programme of study your enrolled in, and help ensure you have taken the right papers to graduate. Together your Tautai (Adviser) and Titoko Student Success Adviser work together with you to help you feel supported, connected, and equipped to reach your destination. Our Tautai (Advisers) are listed below. For your Titoko Student Success Adviser, please see: Your Student Success Adviser | Current students | Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Manager, Pasifika Success (Students)
Fuailelagi Natanielu
Manager, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika
Tautai (Adviser)
Te Wahanga Aronui - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faiga Su'a
Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Office of the Assistance Vice Chancellor Pasifika
Tautai (Adviser)
Te Pukenga Wai - Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences
Stariana Framhein-Tagoa'i
Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika
Tautai (Adviser)
Te Wāhanga a Manaia - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Namuali'i Tonumaipe'a-Sagote
Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Vaka Tangata Moana
Research Assistant
School of Education
Tautai (Adviser)
Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture - Faculty of Law
Marina Wall
Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika · Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika
Tautai (Adviser)
Te Wāhanga Waihanga Hoahoa - Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
Lisa Washburn
Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika
Tautai (Adviser)
Ōrauariki - Wellington School of Business and Government
Mela Kaufusi-Ta'ala
Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)
Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika