Meet the Pacific Student Success team , Te Tima Tauira Pasifika Angitu

"Talofa lava, Malo lava le soifua maua ma le lagi mama, viia lava le Alii."

Melvin is of Samoan heritage, from the villages of Faleasiu and Apia. He was born and raised in South Auckland, New Zealand, is married and has four children.

Melvin holds a Master’s in philosophy (social policy) from Massey University and is an experienced senior lecturer in Social Work. He has worked in education management and non-profit organisations, and is skilled in youth development, coaching, clinical and cultural supervision, and event management.

Melvin is an avid surfer and paddler, enjoying fishing and the outdoors. He strongly believes in the promotion of aiga, self-care, fitness, health, wealth, and wellbeing for all. He looks forward to using his experience and skills to lead his team in achieving Pacific student success at Massey University.

"O le ala I le pule o le tautua (The pathway to authority is through service)" – Samoan proverb

Peter studies the adaptive potential of plants, pests and pathogens. He co-leads a joint French-New Zealand project with the CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research), which is a laboratory-without-walls investigating the adaptive potential of New Zealand alpine and French Kerguelen Island plants.

He is coordinator of a UNESCO UNITWIN Network Science for Sustainability in Oceania that is developing in-field DNA diagnostics for plant, animal and human health. His scientific achievements earned him an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship and New Zealand Royal Society Fellowship.

Learn more about Peter's research expertise, projects and outputs

Mālō lava le soifua maua ma le lagi mamā:

Tuilagi Dr. Igelese Ete, from the villages of Faleālupo, Fatausi, Lalomālava, and Vaovai in Samoa, holds the chiefly title of Tuilagi. Born in Samoa, he migrated to Aotearoa at seven. He is married to Vasiti and has four children and two grandchildren.

Igelese started his music career as a young organist and choir director at the Samoan EFKS Newtown church, where his parents were pastors. He later earned a Bachelor of Music (Well), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Whitireia), a Master of Music with Honours (UOA), and a PhD from AUT.

Currently the Associate Dean: Pacific at Massey University, Dr. Ete is passionate about empowering Pacific communities. His remarkable work includes serving as the New Zealand choirmaster for The Lord of the Rings and arranging music for Disney’s Moana.

Dr. Ete is committed to empowering Pacific students, using the power of Pacific Creative Arts to uplift and transform lives.

Jodie has broad research interests in Pacific education and the teaching and learning of mathematics.

She has been involved in collaborative work with teachers and students at a national level to facilitate change in their mathematics classrooms. Her previous research at Plymouth University in the UK included a focus on developing early algebraic reasoning in primary classrooms – covering professional development, classroom and mathematical practices, and student perspectives.

Jodie has a growing interest in culturally sustaining teaching development for Pacific students in the mathematics classroom. This includes considering the cultural, linguistic and social contexts of Pacific students and growing stronger home/community and school partnerships.

More about Jodie's research expertise, projects and outputs.

Ni sa bula vinaka, I am Kuen from Suva, Fiji. I am passionate about teaching finance to my undergraduate and postgraduate students. Prior to academia, I had worked for the Colonial Bank, Fiji. My primary research interests are corporate finance, banking, and investment. My research has been presented at top finance conferences such as the European Financial Management Association Conference (EFMA) and published in internationally recognized journals such as Finance Research Letters (ranked A on the Australian Business Deans’ Council List or ABDC List, Q1), Journal of Economics and Development etc. I have been an ad hoc reviewer for various esteemed finance journals and awarded competitive research grants such as Massey University Research Fund (MURF), from Securities Industry Research Centre for Asia-Pacific (SIRCA), Australia, from National Institute of Securities Markets, India.

Kuen is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK and serves on various University/Industry Committee and Boards such as the Purehurotanga Working Group, Amanaki STEM Academy for Pacific students or ASA.

Sesimani is of Tongan descent and is married and blessed with three wonderful young adult children. She has worked at Massey for almost two decades in various capacities including teaching and research but mainly in providing academic and pastoral support for Pacific students. Sesimani has a passion for collaborative research in exploring culturally sustainable approaches to developing the holistic wellbeing of Pacific peoples in diaspora.

Sesimani is grateful and excited for the wonderful opportunity to work together with a passionate and like-minded group of people to advance the success of Pacific students at Massey University.

Learn more about Sesimani’s research expertise, projects and outputs

Janice Ikiua-Pasi is based at Fale Bilong Iumi on the Wellington campus. She is here to support and advocate for all Pacific distance learning students and answer questions to make sure your journey within Massey University has a positive impact in your life. If she does not have an answer then she will track down the person who does.

Janice is proud of her Niue culture. She has studied and worked in various tertiary institutions around New Zealand, is a published poet, and dabbles in spoken word and tinkering with niu ideas for niu journeys.

“Talofa lava, malo le soifua”

Mapu is of Samoan decent and has been a part of the Pacific Student Success for the past 3 years. She holds a Master's Degree in Business Professional, graduating from Victoria University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Massey University. Her background is in Communications, Management and Finance Administrations. She loves working with youth and people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. Mapu loves being active and enjoys activities that involves physical movements and being fit.

She is a proud Christian and believes all that she is and what she has is through Christ who strengthens her. She is also proud to serve in this role as her way of giving back.

Faafetai lava,

Tali is from the Island of Niue, was born and raised, and completed a BA in Politics with a minor in Defence studies and a Post-graduate in International Security. Alister is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a foundation he upholds and values dearly. Alister served six years of full-time service (2005-2012) as a professional soldier with the Royal NZ Infantry and continues as a reservist. Alister enjoys daily physical training and Sundays as a rest day, spending time with his kids, eating good food, and being John Rambo.

Fakaalofa Lahi atu and Warm Pasifika Greetings

Sunlou (Sonny) was born and raised on the beautiful island of Niue. His father’s family hails from Hakupu in Niue, and the villages of Siumu and Faleasiu in Samoa. He is married and have 7 children.

As the Pasifika Learning Advisor, Sonny’s role involves providing academic support and pastoral care for Pasifika students. He is also the Kaiarahi Tiriti for Pacific staff at Massey. He also connects students needing support with relevant providers. He has a background in public service having worked as a human resources and strategic planner for the government of Niue. Sonny is an avid educator and is an active advocate and contributor in the community governance and development space. He is passionate about promoting and retaining the Vagahau Niue and culture. His hobbies include singing, making crafts and chilling with his family.

Malo e lelei and Warm Pacific greetings to you.

Selu Paea, of Tongan and Samoan descent, is the Pacific Learning Advisor at the Albany Campus. She has worked in tertiary and secondary education for over 20 years and holds a Master's in Business Studies and Environment Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Geography. Selu is committed to supporting Pacific students as they embark on their academic journey with Massey University. Her role entails supporting students with academic writing and learning during their university studies. This service is free and vitally important for all university students' studies. She is passionate about student success and always finds ways to improve this service to be more engaging and welcoming for students to use. Contact Selu today to find out more.

Professor Rukmani Gounder comes from Nadi, Fiji, and obtained her primary and secondary education in Nadi and Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Fiji Government Scholar) from the University of the South Pacific (Suva).

Rukmani’s research has largely been in the areas of economics and social development with an applied economics framework in the Asia-Pacific nations.

She was elected as a chairperson of the Pacific@Massey Network in 2007, and until 2013 served as a member of Pacific Research and Policy Centre. She also served as a Chairperson of the Pacific Development Working Committee, Massey Business School (MBS). Now she serves as the Massey Business School (MBS) representative in the management group at the School, MBS and University levels, and as a member of the Pacific Research and Policy Centre.

Rukmani can advise Pacific students on their courses, assist in their needs, provide clarification about Economics courses, and address any academic concerns.

Read more about Rukmani's research, background and qualifications

Tracie is keen to support and mentor students considering postgraduate research.

Her work promotes the advancement of Pacific cultural knowledges and ways –within social work and social development, regionally and internationally.

Areas of focus include cultural humility, anti-racist practice, Indigenous helping systems and practices, community development, youth development, higher education, research capacity strengthening, and qualitative and arts-based research methods.

More about Tracie's research expertise, projects and outputs.

Ko Pārengarenga te moana
Ko Tawhitiahi te maunga
Ko Awapoka te awa
Ko au ko Nicole Mincher.

Fakalofa lahi atu.

Nicole is a registered educational psychologist and came to Massey from the Ministry of Education and Explore Specialist Advice. She has a particular interest in equity in education, and how schools and systems can best support our tamariki, kaiako and whānau. She hopes to have the opportunity to learn alongside you.

Any students interested in anything educational psychology related, or with any questions about course content, training pathways or working as an educational psychologist, should get in touch with Nicole.

More about Nicole's research expertise, projects and outputs.

Lara Thompson is one of the BASE+ Pacific Student Advisors and focuses on helping students with academic questions. She runs one-on-one academic advice sessions and is passionate about enabling Pacific students to achieve.

Lara loves to chat and believes that a 'Talk to Write' approach works well for enabling students to find their voice and way through writing tasks. Her Master's degree focused on postcolonial theory and literature.

Lara is Samoan through her mother, Lineta Eti Eves and is proudly linked to the villages of Vailima, Sa’anapu, and Satuipa’itea (among others). She worked in Malifa, Samoa near a giant mango tree that stood near the site of a fale that her family lived in, her grandfather being a former school inspector many moons ago.
When not at work helping students, Lara dedicates her time to her children, wider fanau, fixing her old house, and making her garden behave.

John is originally from Tonga, (of Tongan and Fijian descent) and was educated in the United States. He teaches courses in mathematics and education, and his research focuses on enhancing Māori and Pacific students' achievement in mathematics, as part of the Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities (DMIC) initiative.

John is available to mentor Pacific students throughout their education. His other research interests include analysing advanced mathematical thinking and teaching and learning discrete mathematics (more specifically, the algorithmatising approach).

Read more about John's research outputs, expertise and other information