Siautu Alefaio

28/08/2026

20/08/2026

🎉 We are absolutely thrilled to announce that pioneering physiotherapist Aseta Redican (MNZM) will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science at Otago’s graduation ceremony on Saturday 👩‍🎓

💫 Mrs Redican became the first Pacific person to qualify as a physiotherapist in Aotearoa when she graduated from Otago’s School of Physiotherapy in 1964.

🚀 Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson says Mrs Redican is a trailblazer in Pacific health and many of the initiatives she introduced are still used today.

“After dedicating her career to improving the health and wellbeing of others, it is only right that we take the time to celebrate her,” he says.

🌴 After graduating, Mrs Redican returned to Samoa and established the first physiotherapy department at Apia General Hospital. A few years later, she brought her expertise back to Aotearoa, developing the physiotherapy department at the Masonic Hospital in Auckland.

🫶 She has established and developed so many programmes and organisations that we can't fit them all in this Facebook post (but you can read more via the link below).

🌟 In 2020, she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours for her pioneering services to health and Pacific peoples.

💞 Ka nui te mihi kia koe, Mrs Redican – thank you for the stellar contributions you've made.

https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/relationships-key-to-long-health-career

01/06/2026

We’re bringing the vibes to as hosts an inspiring guest talanoaga with Lanea Tuiasosopo — Samoan collegiate athlete, Fulbright scholar & elite rower 🔥

31/05/2026

🌺 Earlier this week Tātou Collective hosted members of University of Otago and their Pacific Leadership Group.

The session was part of an early research scoping project between Tātou and the University of Otago. The engagement included discussion about how research and evidence can support Pacific families and communities, strengthen learning and better understand what meaningful outcomes look like for Pacific whānau.

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
Dr Cara Adolph, Jessica Fonoti, Akesa Filimoehala-Burling, Lalau Karina Nafatali, Dr Iki Uele, Prof Siautu Alefaio, Dr Yvonne Golpak, Nive McDonald.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
James Heimuli, Professor Tracie Mafile‘o, Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai, Professor Philip Hill.

31/03/2026

19/03/2026

Strengthening community partnerships in Auckland this week to drive Pacific‑led and research. Grateful for our church‑village leaders and team as we go “beyond the reef” to co‑create a Pacific faith‑resilience measure. Inspired for what lies ahead, Lessgoo! 🙌🏽🔥🌺

26/02/2026

Vinaka Malcolm Andrews 🙌🏾 Moana-fuelled wisdom from our University of Otago doctoral candidate

25/02/2026

Awesome welcome Pacific Islands Centre, University of Otago 👏🏽👏🏽 Great to see the village in full-effect with a word straight to the heart from Toeaina Faifeau Rev Victor Pouesi “Unity is confrontational” because it means confronting your naysayers, mockers & enemies - many who exist in the valley of our minds. You confront them by unity of mind, heart, body and spirit to show up, turn up and yes go to class! 😎🙌🏾

11/02/2026

Malo Doc Kilisitofa Puliuvea 👏🏽

After the first dengue-related death in the Cook Islands, a Tongan immunologist is urging families travelling across the region to stay alert.