NZ Governor-General visits Fale Pasifika

New Zealand’s Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, visited the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika on 20 May to formally open the 99th Council Meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Dame Cindy, who was a professor at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, in 2018 and also served as Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori, addressed dignitaries from across the Pacific. Among them were Sāmoa’s Prime Minister, Afioga Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, and Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad. She shared that the University holds a special place for her.

In her speech, Dame Cindy warmly welcomed the Council to Aotearoa and spoke of New Zealand’s enduring relationship with the Pacific region.

The Council includes representatives from its 12 member countries: Fiji, Sāmoa, Cook Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Kingdom of Tonga, and Republic of Vanuatu.

New Zealand and Australia also have representatives on the USP Council and support its mission to provide tertiary education across the Pacific.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific welcomes distinguished Pacific guests

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, earlier welcomed the delegation on 19 May. She described the event as monumental, with the University of Auckland, the University of the South Pacific, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), converging together to serve Pacific communities.

“We are deeply honoured by your presence here today and your commitment to education and the betterment of our people — Te Tangata o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa — particularly our next generation of leaders. Your leadership is evident not only in your roles but in your willingness to engage in dialogue, share knowledge, and explore innovative, culturally grounded pathways forward.

“Education is not only a cornerstone of national development but also a vessel through which identity, language, culture, and resilience are preserved and strengthened. Your leadership in shaping policies that reflect these values is deeply appreciated and urgently needed.”

She also acknowledged USP’s Chief Operating Officer, Walter Fraser, who previously held roles at the University of Auckland as Director of the Centre for Pacific Studies and Director of Pacific Strategy and Engagement.

“I’d like to particularly thank Walter Fraser of USP, as we begin working together to strengthen the relationship between USP and the University of Auckland — a partnership we are excited about.”

Changing tertiary landscape

In today’s evolving educational landscape, tertiary providers worldwide are rethinking how best to meet the needs of their students. A presentation by the University of Auckland’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Operations & Registrar, Adrienne Cleland, offered insights into the strategies employed by New Zealand’s largest university.

She emphasized the importance of adaptability in delivering a supportive and enriching environment for students.

“If we look at the approaches we’ve used here at the University of Auckland — particularly in long-term capital and financial planning and how that aligns with strategic planning — I believe these plans bring our strategic vision to life in many ways.”