Our RC’s (Regional Coordinators) are your localised APSTE connection. Their role is to help keep you connected over the year through localised APSTE events and catch-ups and to communicate any issues or needs to the wider National APSTE Executive.
We last elected our RCs in 2019 and are glad to have Jason (ARA) continue their leadership into a new term and having returning champion Dr Telesia Kalavite (UoO) leading us in the Lower South. However, role changes in the last year has meant we have two vacant positions for the Upper North and Central regions.
If you have any regional events that you would like to share or ideas around regional events or get-togethers please don’t hesitate to contact your local RC.
APSTE Upper North Regional Coordinator
Will you accept the challenge to be a Pasifika Champion
APSTE Central Regional Coordinator
Will you accept the challenge to be a Pasifika Champion
APSTE Upper South Regional Coordinator
Jason Tiatia – Senior Academic Leader
Ara Institute of Canterbury
P: +64 3 940 8000
E: jason.tiatia@ara.ac.nz
Talofa! Family, culture, health, and life balance are important to me. I like to share, save & succeed. Share knowledge & love. Save and cherish relationships. Succeed, is to know yourself and be proud of it too!
I’m a proud Samoan, kiwi raised here in the land of the red and black, Christchurch east Ōtautahi. I’m an only child (please don’t hold that against me) which is unique and uncommon for Pasifika families however my mother said to me that she got it right the first time.LOL- Love you mum.
I married the ataahua/Matalasi/beautiful human being who hails from the people of Ngati Kahungunu, I am a very lucky man. We have three amazing and very Samoan and Māori tamaiti who are futuristic thinkers, who love sport & music and they all have the Pasifika love for food, which always brings us together at the dinner table.
I am blessed to be able to work across a number of sectors like sport, education, and plenty of community events like SPAC PAC Polyfest (Secondary School festival) and ACE National Conference (Adult Community Education) to delivering Brainwave Trust Whakamana te tamaiti presentations for our Males in our correctional facilities. I am currently a tutor teaching Gagana Samoa/Samoan language classes at Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd.
I believe in inclusiveness and keeping the flow of energy moving. ‘The one that does the work does the learning’ and ‘0 le tele o sulu e maua ai fīgota, e māmā se avega pe a tā amo fa’atasi’ (‘my strength does not come from me alone but from many’)
It is an honour to be a part of this APSTE family and I welcome you to APSTE 2021. Soifua.
APSTE Lower South Regional Coordinator
Dr Telesia Kalavite
University of Otago
E: telesia.kalavite@otago.ac.nz
Mālō e lelei and Warm Pacific Greetings.
I am Tongan from the villages of Nukuleka, Talafo‘ou, Lapaha Tongatapu and Neiafutahi Vava‘u. I am a teaching professional with years of experiences in primary, secondary and tertiary education in Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.
At universities I taught, researched and support Pacific students at Tonga Institute of Education, Waikato Institute of Technology, University of Waikato, University of Southern Queensland and now the University of Otago. I specialise in: Pacific studies, Pacific education and Indigenous Development Studies.
I am fluent in both English and Tongan languages and a freelance interpreter and translator in both languages. I value whānau, spirituality, respect, good relationships, and collaborative work with others in the work place. I am highly self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking with good work ethics.
My husband, Sione, and I are currently enjoying Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand. We have frequent visits to our two sons and five mokopuna’s in Australia, and other whānau around the world, at least virtually, for now!
My passion is Pacific students’ academic achievement, and APSTE is an outstanding platform for me when I newly migrated to New Zealand. Therefore, I always want to give back to this supportive and like-minded professional group. I am very humbled to be part of the executive committee for APSTE this year to support our Pacific staff and students in the tertiary sector.