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

Senior Adviser, Pasifika Success (Staff)

  • Pelesa Semu

    Senior Adviser, Pasifika Success (Staff)

    Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika

    OK 306, Old Kirk Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Parade

Administrator, Pasifika

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)

Tautai (Adviser) Te Wahanga Aronui - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Visit the Faculty website

  • Faiga Su'a

    Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)

    Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika

    OK 302, Old Kirk Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Parade

Tautai (Adviser) Te Pukenga Wai - Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences

Visit the Faculty website

  • Namuali'i Tonumaipe'a-Sagote

    Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)

    Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika

    OK 302, Old Kirk Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Parade

Tautai (Adviser) Te Wāhanga a Manaia - Faculty of Science and Engineering

Visit the Faculty website

  • Jireh Va'afusuaga

    Adviser, Pasifika Success (Students)

    Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika

    OK 302, Old Kirk Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Parade

Tautai (Adviser) Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture - Faculty of Law

Visit the Faculty website

Tautai (Adviser) Te Wāhanga Waihanga Hoahoa - Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation

Visit the Faculty website

Tautai (Adviser) Ōrauariki - Wellington School of Business and Government

Visit the Faculty website