UOPISA
at Otago
Life Members
UOPISA Life Members are Pacific students leaders that are acknowledged for outstanding community service, prestigious leadership skills and commitment to their Pacific culture. Life Members are nominated by members of affiliated student associations and are elected at the Annual General Meeting. As of 2023, a maximum of two Life Members may be elected per year. More information can be found in the Policy for Life Members of the Association.
2023
In 2023, two prominent Pacific student leaders were awarded Life Membership to acknowledge their outstanding contributions to Pacific student politics. This enabled several past Pacific student leaders deserving of this award to be recognised.
Elisepa Taukolo
For outstanding service to PILSA in 2020 (Vice President) and UOPISA in 2021 (Secretary), 2022 (President) and also 2023 (President).
Elisepa graduated with a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (Pacific Islands Studies) in 2021 and is now studying for her Master of Indigenous Studies.
Michael Samani
For outstanding service to OMISA in 2020 (Vice President), 2021 (President), 2022 (President) and also 2023 (President).
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2022
In 2022, eleven prominent Pacific student leaders were awarded Life Membership to acknowledge their outstanding contributions to Pacific student politics. As this was the inaugural year of the award, the number of elected Life Members was not restricted to two nominees. This enabled several past Pacific student leaders deserving of this award to be recognised.
Joshuaa Alefosio-Pei
For outstanding service to UOPISA in 2019 (Vice President) and 2020 (President).
Josh graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Physiology & Anatomy) in 2018 and is completing his MB ChB at the UoO Wellington campus.
Ma'ole Sei-Ha Faletolu
For outstanding service to OSSA in 2020 (Social & Sports Rep) and 2022 (President), and UOPISA in 2021 (Executive Coordinator).
Ma'ole graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Pacific Islands Studies) in 2023.
Joshua Fitzpatrick
For outstanding service to OCISA in 2020 (Cultural Rep), 2021 (President) and 2022 (Academic Rep).
Josh graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) in 2022.
Rosalind Kabiriera
For outstanding service to OKISA in 2021 and 2022 (President), including helping to found the association.
Rosalind graduated with a Bachelor of Oral Health in 2022.
Mary-Jane Kivalu Sinamoni
For outstanding service to UOPISA in 2019 (President) including helping to found the association, and OTSA in 2020 (Treasurer).
Mary Jane graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Business) in 2018, Master of Business Administration in 2020 and is completing her Doctorate in Business Administration.
Shani McMullan
For outstanding service to PILSA in 2021 (Welfare Rep) and 2022 (President), including tutoring second-year law students for multiple years.
Shani is completing a Bachelor of Arts (Pacific Islands Studies) and Bachelor of Laws with Honours. Her Honours dissertation investigates recognition of customary law in the South Pacific court systems.
Melania Napa'a
For outstanding service to OTSA in 2019 (President), and UOPISA in 2021 (Treasurer) and 2022 (Vice President).
Melania is studying her Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and Bachelor of Laws in 2022.
Vika Piukala
For outstanding service to OTSA in 2020 (Sports Rep), and OSSA in 2021 and 2022 (Vice President).
Vika graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Pacific Islands Studies) and is studying towards a Masters of Indigenous Studies.
Cullen Haym Glassie-Ryan
For outstanding service to PIHPSA in 2020 (General Rep) and 2021 (Treasurer).
Cullen graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2022 and is now a Dental and Maxillofacial House Officer at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury.
Cameron D Young
For outstanding service to OCISA in 2020 (Co-President), UOPISA in 2021 (Vice President) and 2023 (Secretary), and helping establish OMISA, OKISA and BOPSA.
Cam graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours (First Class in Anatomy) in 2022. His Honours thesis characterised the neuroendocrine control of hormones during pregnancy in Pacific populations. He is now a medical student at the UoO Dunedin campus.
Melissa Lama
For outstanding service to OUSA in 2022 (President), UOPISA in 2021 (President),
OTSA in 2020 (Vice-President), 2019 (Academic Rep),
NZTTSA in 2022 (Vice-President), 2021 (Secretary) and 2020 (Secretary).
Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government, Master of Business Administration and currently studying her Doctorate of Business Administration.