UOPISA Pacific Awards

Chantelle Turketo

Chantelle is the Medical Education Rep for PIHPSA this year and has demonstrated excellent leadership in her role by advocating for PIHPSA members and helping to mentor younger med students. 

She advocates for Pacific students fiercely in front of both Pacific and non-Pacific staff while fostering good relationships with them. 

Chantelle has created a friendly environment for younger med students and is also a POPO peer mentor for Pacific Health Sciences First-Year student

Kalisi Makoni

Kalisi has demonstrated excellence in regard to engagement within the Tongan community on campus, the local Tongan community in Dunedin and the wider National Tongan community in New Zealand such as NZTTSA. She is the current President of the Otago Tongan Students' Association. Kalisi's ability to connect with individuals and provide meaningful support has made a profound impact on those she serves. Kalisi's reach extends beyond Dunedin, as she has also dedicated her time and efforts to initiatives on a national scale. Her contributions have not only enriched the lives of those in her immediate vicinity but have also contributed to broader Pacific communities. 

Terian Tenoa II

Terian has shown great passion for dancing and sharing his Kiribati culture. He is the current Cultural rep for OKISA.

He is also always eager to learn about other cultures and participated in the national Tongan conference, 'Amatakiloa.

This year, Terian has performed at events such as Polytech's Pacifica Beats Showcase, Kiribati Independence, FIFA World Cup Fan Festival, PTO High School Scholarships Ceremony and more.

Mefi Tupou

Mefi has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship this year. He is a first-year student at the University of Otago and has played in the Highlanders Under 20 and has played club rugby at Premier level for Kaikorai. He is also part of the Otago Development Squad.

Aviu Don Aviu

Aviu is a first-year student studying a Bachelor of Law and Communications. He is actively involved in associations such as OKISA and PILSA. Aviu has also shown great cultural pride at the residential colleges - he choreographed, taught and performed a Kiribati item for Hayward and for Arana college. He has also performed with OKISA at the Pacific Hats Night held at Polytech, FIFA Fan Festival, and also in Invercargill for Kiribati Language Week.

Otago Tongan Students' Association (OTSA)

OTSA has had an outstanding dedication to fulfillng their strategic goals as outlined in their constitution. OTSA's commitment to their mission and their active and unwavering support towards their members. Both Tongan and non-Tongan. OTSA's consistent pursuit of their strategic objectives has demonstrated their remarkable dedication to promoting Pacific culture and fostering a sense of community. Through their initiatives, they have successfully created an inclusive space where students from all backgrounds can come together to celebrate and learn about the Tongan culture.

Humanities Otago Pacific Students' Association (HOPSA)

HOPSA has been committed to fulfilling their strategic goals as outlined in their constitution. HOPSA actively engage, empowers and uplifts their members through mentorship, resources, and opportunities for growth. This dynamic support network fosters a sense of belonging and encourages members to achieve their full potential. HOPSA's commitment to their members' success is evident in their tireless efforts to create an inclusive and collaborative academic community.

Garrett George

Garrett is excellent at offering support to Pacific students in health professional programmes. He goes above and beyond his job description by ensuring that Pacific students have the appropriate academic support and feel connected to the va'a through regular lunches. He works well with PIHPSA without stepping on their toes or compromising their autonomy. He is a very genuine and kind person and works well with many personalities.

Dr Chales Radclyffe

Charles has only been here for one year and yet he has been  so active in fostering a sense of community and connection with Pacific students in Archaeology (and Anthropology, by extension), which was not there before he arrived at Otago. He has held several morning tea's for Māori and Pacific students and has actively been trying to recruit Pacific students into postgraduate research. He especially has strong connections to our Melanesian and Micronesian students, which is so important given the low representation we have for these communities at the University.