Pasifika Culture & Support

Kia orana, Noa’ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Halo olketa, Yokwe, Kam na mauri, Faiakse'ea, Aloha, Ia orana, and warm Pacific greetings.

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Welcome to our Pasifika family

At Otago Polytechnic, we’ll provide you with a home-away-from-home. We want our Pasifika students to be successful in their studies and to feel a sense of belonging. Community is important so we provide social events and a home-cooked meal every Thursday.

We have Pasifika Advisors, on hand to help you during your studies. We’ll ensure you are well-supported and achieving academically, spiritually, and culturally.

Whether you are looking to study with us or already do, we would love to connect with you! From supporting you through challenges to looking for scholarship opportunities, we are here to help.

Pasifika support

Ground Floor, The Hub
Corner Union and Forth Street
0800 762 786

Pasifika@op.ac.nz

OP Pasifika Students Facebook 

“A fia vave oo lou va’a, alo na o ‘oe, ae a fia tuli mamao le taunu’uga tatou aloalo faatasi. (If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.)”

Samoan proverb

Our Pasifika Goals

  1. Empower Pasifika learners to succeed.
  2. Grow and value Pasifika staff and leaders.
  3. Navigate in time with the Pasifika community – locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
  4. Increase staff capability to support Pasifika learners and engage in the Pasifika community.

Pasifika services

There are great resources available to help support you and your learning. Pasifika students have their own designated space to study - G Block, Room G107.

This space is for your space to get together and meet with other Pasifika students on campus.

Our services also include academic support, career support, student health, counsellors, IT support and our Chaplain. All services are free and available to everyone.

If you identify as being of Pasifika descent, we’ll reach out to welcome you to Otago Polytechnic. Our Pasifika Advisor is based in Dunedin but can provide support and advice to students on our other campuses.

We host and organise to help our Pasifika students feel at home – especially within the first six weeks of starting your studies. Our Pasifika support programme often revolves around community events too. Whether it be a Pasifika BBQ, a mentor introduction, or a bowling night, you and your family are always invited.

Celebrate your culture

Throughout the year we have social events for our Pasifika learners to connect. We welcome you at our Pasifika orientation, hold performing arts shows and cultural nights though the term, then end the year with our Pasifika pre-graduation event.

Pasifika Strategic Framework

2021-2023

Pasifika Strategic Framework

Developed in conjunction with Otago Polytechnic’s External Pasifika Advisory Committee.

Explore our campuses

With our main campus in Dunedin, our boutique campus in Central Otago, our international campus in Auckland and our huge range of online options.