Services Overview Health/Medical Educational/Research Social/Welfare

Contact Us

Join Your Online Community

Pacific Trust Otago

Where Peoples Connect

Our Vision

Tangata Moana Pacific in Otago are connected, resilient, thriving and contributing successfully to society.

Learn More

Contact Us

Talofa Lava, Kia Orana, Fakaalofa Lahi Atu, Mauri, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Taloha Ni, Malo E Lelei & Warm Pacific Greetings!

Who We Are

Pacific Trust Otago (PTO) is a charitable organisation based in Dunedin that provides support to Pacific communities in the Otago region. Our support services include: health, social, education and cultural which are available for our Pacific communities.

More About PTO

Our Mission

To enhance wellbeing of Tangata Moana in Otago and other areas, by providing sustainable culturally responsive -
•health and wellbeing
•education
•economic
•social and
•cultural services

Our Values:

Maintaining and strengthening our Piri’anga (relationships) through our values:
_{•aroha •moa aomata (inclusivity) •reciprocity •respect •spirituality}

Reciprocity

Spirituality

Aroha

Respect

How We Can Help

Social/Welfare Services

Educational/Research Services

Health/Medical Services

Recent News and Events

Breakaway School Holiday Program

Term 2 School Holidays are just around the corner, see the Breakaway program for July and register now before they close 4th of July 2025.

Read More +

June Events 2025

Our recurring programs for the event of June

Read More +

Maloloina Exercise 2025

Making physical activity part of your family's culture #PTOmaloloinaexercise #healthyculture

Read More +

View All News & Updates

Help Us Continue Our Work

Some of our services operate through government funding from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and the Ministry of Social Development. There are other services that are funded through grants from our partner agencies and providers which help us operate.

To continue expanding our offerings and services, we need your help

Donate Here

Our Communities In Otago

Pacific Trust Otago honours a pan-pacific approach to their services, where 9 ethnic groups are represented on PTO’s board.

This came about from one of PTO’s founding Mama’s who insisted all Pacific nations were well represented in the organisation not just the larger Pacific groups.

The organisation has a governing body of representatives from 9 ethnic groups from the Pacific islands that make up the PTO board.

Samoa

Talofa Lava

The biggest group of Pacific people in Dunedin. They are diverse and involved in a range of activities from academia, churches to industry.

Cook Islands

Kia Orana

Cook Islanders have been part of the Dunedin community since the 1940’s. They are well established and actively support PTO.

Tonga

Malo E Lelei

A growing, organised and close knit group engaged in many activities. Links with he fastest growing NZ Tongan group in Oamaru, Otago.

Kiribati

Mauri

An active community group who are well connected to the national Kiribati community.

Wan Tok

Hola Olgeta

The Wantok system unites these Melanesian societies (i.e. Solomon Is, PNG, Vanuatu) into one group of people that is part of the Pacific community.

Fiji

Ni Sa Bula Vinaka

A small, active, younger and growing community. Involved in academia and their own network. Very active in PTO activities.

Niue

Fakaalofa Lahi Atu

A small community who join in the activities as they need to.

Tuvalu

Talofa

A recent community in the Dunedin scene. They are a close-knit group who are also involved in PTO activities.

Tokelau

Taloha Ni

The community is well established and active. Many links with the Samoan community. Very involved in PTO activities.

Join Your Online Community

Sign In To Mighty Networks Here

Learn More About Our Team

Meet Our Team

Read Our Stories

Spotlight on Finau Taungapeau for Dietitians Week NZ (Pacific Trust Otago's Director of Health Services and Registered Dietitian)

Dietitian Finau Taungapeau's journey and message. Article as taken from Pacific Medical Association (PMA) Group: Updates/Community 19 June 2025

Read More +

Popo Internship 2024-2025

PTO is a space where people cared about each other, about the work, where people were people and not just numbers.

Read More +

Spotlight on Tupu Aotearoa Service Clients

Tupu Aotearoa service client Sam Vatuvei (Tongan), Taotao Ataia (Kiribati) and Eva Auuaiti (Cook Island) share how the service has helped support them

Read More +

View All Our Stories