Dr Sarah Va’afusuaga McRobie

Dr Sarah Va’afusuaga McRobie is a lecturer at Faculty of Education and Social Work’s School of Counselling. As a researcher in counselling education, she integrates Pacific, Samoan Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to explore cultural and spiritual issues in trauma-informed approaches to interpersonal violence, couples, family and sexual violence counselling. Additionally, advocating for the Pacific peoples holistic health and wellbeing as well….Continue Reading Dr Sarah Va’afusuaga McRobie

Dr Sonia Fonua

Dr Sonia Fonua is a Professional Teaching Fellow in Environment, at the Faculty of Science. She is also the Associate Dean of Equity & Diversity within the Faculty of Science Administration, at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Her fields of research include embedding Pacific Peoples Knowledge, Histories, Country, Perspectives and Ethics in education…Continue Reading Dr Sonia Fonua

Chas Mamea

Chas Mamea is a South Auckland artist, dancer, practitioner, choreographer, researcher and is now completing a Doctorate of Philosophy within the Ngā Akoranga Kanikani, Dance Studies Programme, at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Chas’ research interests lie in navigating Wā & Vā as Mana Moana within street dance spaces of South Auckland, Aotearoa and how this research might contribute to better-informed Pasifika/Māori community initiatives for rangatahi…Continue Reading Chas Mamea

Iatua Felagai Taito

Mr Iatua Felagai Taito is a PhD Candidate for the Dance Studies program at the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries. He is a multidisciplinary artist who is a published poet, theatre trained and qualified actor, certified Pacific dancer, dance reviewer and writer. Iatua has done foundational Pacific performing arts training from PIPA (Pacific Institute of Performing Arts) and has a passion around queerness particularly Pacific queerness, Samoan theology and spirituality and somatic dance practices…Continue Reading Iatua Felagai Taito

Syrai Tiare-Taumihau

Miss Syrai Tiare-Taumihau is a Doctoral Candidate within the Dance Studies Programme for the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Her research aims to look at Māori and Pacific dance students negotiating cultural identity and belonging…Continue Reading Syrai Tiare-Taumihau

Teuila Hughes

Teuila Hughes is a Ph.D. candidate and graduate teacher in Dance Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Teuila’s theses explores Samoan embodied performance knowledge and practice in relation to the cultural concept of Vā. Teuila is passionate about exploring ways that support indigenous artists and researchers. Through her research and teaching practice she hopes to continue her contributions to indigenous knowledge and methodologies as service to our Pacific communities…Continue Reading Teuila Hughes

Jasmin ‘Ofamo’oni

Jasmin ‘Ofamo’oni, is an emerging dance researcher and a current PhD candidate and graduate teacher at Waipapa Taumata Rau in creative practice within the Ngā Akoranga Kanikani, Dance Studies Programme. Her research investigates the educational impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Pacific tertiary dance students’ homes, and how this has impacted the Vā within both contexts…Continue Reading Jasmin ‘Ofamo’oni

Dr Michael Davis

Associate Professor Michael Davis teaches in Architecture and Planning for the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries at Waipapa Taumata Rau. He teaches and researches in the areas of design, design research, and architectural pedagogy. He has project experience spanning from high density housing, to heritage retro-fits; from government buildings, to resorts in locations from Ethiopia to New Caledonia…Continue Reading Dr Michael Davis

Lama Tome

Mr Lama Tone is a Lecturer in Architecture and Planning for the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries at Waipapa Taumata Rau. He has experience in exploring Polynesian architectural connections through Whanaungatanga and the Polynesian relational concept. Lama believes in the reciprocating relationship of practice and research and how they inform each other for great teaching outcomes…Continue Reading Lama Tome

Dr Simone Watkins

Dr. Simone Watkins is a paediatric doctor and Senior Lecturer specializing in Child and Youth Health at Waipapa Taumata Rau. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Health and a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education, focusing on education, mentorship, and congenital and paediatric cardiology. Dr Watkins is currently pursuing a doctorate at Liggins Institute, investigating ethnic disparities in outcomes for critical congenital heart disease in New Zealand…Continue Reading Dr Simone Watkins