The Pacific at Waikato team is here to provide strategic leadership, direction, programs, advice, and resources that can support staff as they help Pacific learners achieve success. You can email the team at pacificsupport@waikato.ac.nz.
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific — Dr Keakaokawai Varner Hemi
Through her mother, Keaka is Kanaka Maoli, Kanaka 'Ōiwi from Na 'Ohana o Kalama of La'ie, Hawai'i. Through her father, she is Cherokee from Boyd Mountain in Northwest Arkansas ... and a few other things.
Keaka is a Waikato alumna, having done her Bachelor of Laws with first-class honours and her PhD in Law at the University. She taught and was the Associate Dean Undergraduate at Te Piringa prior to being appointed as the first Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Waikato in February 2019.
The AVC Pacific role provides strategic leadership for the university's ongoing efforts to improve success for Pacific learners, staff, families and communities through tertiary education. The AVC Pacific is the chair of the Pacific Strategic Committee, sits on other committees and boards, and works closely with the University Leadership Group, Research and Enterprise, Human Resources, and Business Intelligence and Analytics.
The AVC Pacific looks after the Lo'i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub and Te Pōkingā Ngaru programme.
Read more about Keaka's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific
Dau ni Talitali | Pacific Engagement Manager — Sianiti Nakabea Bulisala
Sia holds conjoint LLB and BBA (Fin) degrees majoring in accounting from the University of Waikato. As a proud alumna of UoW, she is passionate about learner success and empowering young people and businesses.
Sia is actively involved with national and local Fijian community organisations and initiatives, including Fijian Language Week. Sia has extensive experience in designing and delivering student success initiatives, student engagement, social media and marketing, student leadership development, and Pacific education research.
The name of the Dau ni Talitali Pacific Engagement Manager has been gifted by the Fijian community. The name refers to a master weaver, in this case, a weaver of people. The role is focused on connecting Pacific learners and their families and communities with learning, culture and community on campus. The role leads out for the AVC Pacific team on cultural events, connections with high schools, pastoral care, social media and the website. This role works closely with the Student Services, Future Students and Marketing teams.
The Dau ni Talitali looks after the Tupaia Challenge, 'Āiga on Campus, and Imua Initiative. She also supervises the FoE High School STEM Navigators programme.
Read more about Sia's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.
Dau Ni Talitali - Pacific Engagement Manager
Taki Ako Pacific Teaching and Learning Lecturer — Dr Hennah Steven
Hennah is originally from the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Through her mother, Hennah is connected to the mountainous people of the Faiyantina area, Henganofi District, and through her father, she identifies with the peace-loving people of Korofeigu in the low-lying plains of Bena Unggai District.
The name of the Taki Ako role has been gifted by our Tongan community. The name refers to a teacher of teachers, in this case, a teacher and researcher who will support Pacific learners and various teachers to improve Pacific learner success.
The Taki Ako looks after cultural legacy-based learner success and leadership initiatives, namely the Calling the Island, Challenge the Horizon and E Tasi Teaching Toolkit programmes. Hennah is our lead on first-year Study Advising and she works closely with the Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning and the Library to develop culturally responsive programmes in teaching and learning.
The Taki Ako also supervises the Palu Undergraduate Navigators programme.
Read more about Hennah's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.
'Atia'e Su'esu'ega Faale A'oa'oga mo Pasefika Research Fellow
The name of the 'Atia'e role has been gifted by Rev Fuifui Te'evale Sr, a faife'au in our Waikato Samoan community and Fuifui Te'evale Jr. The name refers to a grower, in this case, the grower of our Pacific research space. The role is fundamentally aimed at growing Pacific research, researchers and research excellence at the UoW.
This includes:
- Supporting Pacific researchers, students and staff, in their journeys and development as researchers.
- Developing the Lo'i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub, a taro patch-like space for bringing diverse stakeholders, including researchers, funders and community partners, together to create an expanded linked innovation that produces substantive research and outcomes for Pacific people.
- Supporting Pacific researchers in securing needed funding.
The wider aiga: Pacific staff and teams across the University
Our Pacific at Waikato team works closely with a much wider aiga at the University who are all committed to helping our learners succeed.
Accessibilities and Health Services
Accommodation and Halls of Residence
Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences — ALPSS
School Manager
Careers and employment
Career Development Consultant
Education
Teaching Fellow
I am a former primary school teacher currently working as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Waikato. My current PhD studies explore the identity construction for peo…
Health, Engineering, Computing and Science — HECS
Faculty Operations Manager
Maori Student Success Coordinator
My strength is establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, understanding respective objectives and working towards mutual successes. My success li…
International students
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
PhD and Doctoral
Higher Research Degrees Manager
The Higher Research Degrees Team administers the enrolments and candidature of all Doctoral and Master of Philosophy students. In collaboration with support services across the campus, the Higher Researc…
Scholarships
Te Huataki Waiora | School of Health
Duruvesi Bula ni Pasivika Senior Lecturer in Health
Aporosa currently holds the post of Duruvesi – Bula ni Pasivika (Senior Lecturer in Pacific Health) at Te Huataki Waiora School of Health.
He is a 2022 Fulbright Scholar recipient and …
Senior Lecturer in Sport Development
Poutumatua Pasifika Tausisoifua Associate Professor
Te Piringa | Faculty of Law
Senior Lecturer
He was previously a high school teacher and later graduated LLB Cant and has practised in the areas of commercial and property law. His other work experien…
Lecturer
Dean Te Piringa Faculty of Law
Te Puna Ako | Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning
Lecturer
Student Learning Developer
Te Raupapa Waikato Management School
Associate Professor
Te Whare Pukapuka | The Library
Poukōkiri Mātauranga Toi
Pou Arahi
Ko Kāwhia te moana.
Ko Ngāti Maniapoto te iwi.
Ko Ngāti Kinohaku, ko Ngāti Te Kanawa, ko Ngāti Peehi ngā hapū.
Ko Te Korapatū, ko Marokopa ngā marae.
Ko Rangihurihia McDonald tōku ingoa.
Dr. Rangihurihia McDonald is currently the Pou Ārahi (Cultural Advisor) at Te Whare Pukapuka, The University of Waikato. She is responsible for devel…
Work-Integrated Learning and Impact Lab
Research Associate
Gail is…
Te Pokinga Ngaru Leadership Programme
The culturally responsive Te Pokinga Ngaru Leadership Programme is designed to empower Pacific staff in their leadership journeys and careers through workshops, mentoring, professional development, ASP, GSSR and PBRF support, leadership building, and well-being thinking.