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About Pacific Trust Otago

Pacific Trust Otago provides support for individuals, families and communities in achieving their health and wellbeing, social and education goals.

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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.

The primary focus of our organisation is to engage with and support activities to improve the well-being of Pacific people. Also providing communities with health, social, education and cultural support where applicable.

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 Vision

Tangata Moana Pacific in Otago are connected, resilient and flourishing guided by cultural values.

Our Values:

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

Reciprocity

Spirituality

Aroha

Respect

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

The History Of PTO

Pacific Trust Otago (PTO) originated in Dunedin as the ‘Otago Pacific People’s Health Trust’ in 1999 in response to Pacific communities’ quest for better health care for Pacific people.

The community had felt as if their needs weren’t being met by the health system present at the time, insisting for better care. In 1999 a constitution was signed bringing together people of Pacific communities in Dunedin to establish the new ‘Otago Pacific People’s Health Trust’.

In 2003, the trust was registered as an incorporated society, allowing the organisation to begin delivering services for the community. Among the first services introduced in the early days of PTO were the Well-Child (Tamariki Ora) which is still operating today and Health Promotion services. At the time there were only three paid staff, the Manager, Wellchild Nurse and Health Promoter as well as three volunteers.

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. Through its history, Pacific Trust Otago has occupied 5 different spaces: Filleul Street, King Edward Street, Hillside Road, South Road and our most recent premise McBride Street. With each different space, the organisation’s ability to provide for the community has continuously increased from the 2 original services, to the 10+ services and programmes we offer today.

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Meet Our Senior Leadership Team

Fa'animo Elisara-Too

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Details

nimo@pto.nz

022 427 7203

Warm Pacific greetings! Kia Ora! Talofa! Talofa lava!

Tulouna ia o outou paia ma o outou mamalu!

I was born in Samoa and moved with our aiga to Dunedin in1982. I hail from the villages of Salelologa, Leauvaa and Saoluafata. I am happily married to my wonderful husband and best friend Gaugau Ale Too from the villages of Luatuanu'u, Solosolo and Malie. Our son Jaxon is completing his Apprenticeship in his pursuit of becoming a qualified builder, and our daughter Danielle is completing college in Samoa.

My career has been enriched by the fusion of western systems, insights from community collaboration, consultation and engagements, and a practice that is underpinned by my faith and values of alofa (love) reciprocity and integrity. Working with our Team at PTO has extended and strengthened the platform where we can best utilize the resources and the services to achieve outcomes our wider Communities need. I am even more excited about the opportunity to lead our organization into the future, by setting the strategy and vision to ensure we are future-proofed, and that our people are empowered and have the necessary resources needed for them to provide top notch service delivery to our communities. It is vital for our organization to identify our communities’ needs as that is a key focus for me, to begin with the end in mind.

Fa’afetai lava.

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Maria Lucas

Director Strategy & Innovation / Funding & Reporting / Ke Tatala Cultural Support Facilitator

Contact Details

maria@pto.nz

027 255 9267

I am originally from Kiribati. My professional background is a trained social worker, a graduate of the University of Otago. At PTO my role is as a funding manager which involves getting resources to provide services for the community. My work at PTO is a very rewarding responsibility, even though I am not a frontline worker – I still see the people who come through and are part of the programmes for me it’s always about meeting the needs of our Pacific people, so in my work it’s rewarding as I can help contribute for our people.

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Finau Taungapeau

Director Health Services/ Registered Dietitian

Contact Details

finau@pto.nz

027 255 9908

Malo e lelei. Ko hoku hingoa ko (my name is) Finau Kaunanga Taungapeau. I was born and raised in Tonga and came to New Zealand in the late 1980s for further education. I completed Year 13 at New Plymouth Girls High School. Then, I moved to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago, achieving qualifications in Dietetics, Human Nutrition and Teaching. I am currently working for Pacific Trust Otago (PTO) as a dietitian. Prior to that, I had worked for PTO as a Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) health promotion team leader for five years, NPA health promoter for seven years, Community Development Coordinator and Assistant Researcher for about two years. I am very passionate to encourage and support our Pacific people live a healthy and quality life by practicing healthy lifestyle daily, focusing on Nutrition and Physical Activity. I believe that “Food is medicine” David Perlmutter. In addition, improving our people’s health literacy through education so that they understand fully their health issues, medications and how to take better care of their health is equally important. I’m also the treasurer for the local Dunedin Tongan Community and have been the main coordinator for all events in the last 14 years. I am passionate to see the cultural intergenerational sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences to benefit our growing population for all Pacific. Furthermore, the young generation are connected to their culture, confident and proud of their identity.

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Keni Moeroa

Director Social & Cultural Services / Whanau Ora Services

Contact Details

keni@pto.nz

027 255 9903

I was born and raised on the island of Mangaia, one of the islands in the Cook Islands. In 1975, I came to Dunedin to seek a better job opportunity to support my family here and back on the Island. I work as a Whanau Ora navigator, supporting and assisting families who access the PTO service. The Whanau Ora service is about helping families to set goals and make changes to improve their lives and wellbeing. Part of my role is to advocate for the family to access other service providers to assist the needs of their family. I enjoyed working at PTO because the service is run by pacific for pacific people and the organization culture values and beliefs fit within my own values. My passion, sacrifice and commitment working with our pacific people is the key that I am still here serving the pacific community in Dunedin.

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Quinette Elisapeta Tatupu

Director Finance & Administration

Contact Details

quinette@pto.nz

022 428 1402

Talofa lava,  My name is Quinette Elisapeta Tatupu. I was born and raised in Samoa and only migrated to New Zealand in 2019. My parents were EFKS Church Ministers at Faleasi’u in Samoa and that was our home for 32 years. I am married to my high school sweetheart Papalii Liuuaina Tatupu, and we live in Milton. We are blessed with 4 children and are proud grandparents. I attended all my primary and college education in Samoa before I enrolled with the University of the South Pacific in Fiji where I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics, Management and Public Administration. I am an MBA graduate from the University of Otago. From the years 2000-2019 I worked mainly in the financial sector - Ministry of Finance, Development Bank of Samoa, Samoa Housing Corporation, Samoa Commercial Bank Limited and 7 years managing a family business in retailing, car rentals and a charitable trust that supported early childhood and pre-schools around the country.  I was bestowed two chief titles – Lemalu from Safaatoa, Lefaga and Tuiloma from Sapunaoa, Falealili and with them came huge responsibilities, but like my parents, serving my family, my villages, the church, and the community was anything but new. My husband and I are passionate about developing and equipping young Pacific Islanders in whichever way possible.  It is an honour and privilege to work for the Pacific Trust Otago serving our communities and embracing cultural diversity here in the Otago and Southland regions.

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Meet Our Team

Sellina Sa'u

Aere Mai Navigator

Contact Details

sellina@pto.nz

022 431 6370

Born and raised in Mangaia, Cook Islands and moved to NZ at the age of 9 years old. I am married to my husband, Sitiveni Sa'u (Samoan) and we have 4 children. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University (BYU), Hawaii in 2019. I completed the Te Taketake Diploma in Applied Counselling (Level 7) at the Te Pukenga Otago Polytechnic.

What I love about working for PTO is, working closely with Pasifika Individuals and families. Most of the time, I can relate to the challenges they’re experiencing. It’s very important for me to be that support person, to help direct and navigate their path to accessing the appropriate services they need. Most importantly, it’s about giving my time to serving our Pasifika people so they can have the same blessings others may have. I am also a Pacific Cultural Tutor at the Va'a o Tautai (Otago University) teaching cultural curriculum in Health Science.

I enjoy:

playing sports, crafting, arts and cooking
spending time with my friends and family
listening to music, playing guitar and reading
exercising
meeting and interacting with new people
involving in my Church and the Cook Is community.

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Margaret Paia

Employment & Training Navigator (Southland)

Contact Details

margaret@pto.nz

022 478 6513

Kia Orana, my name is Margaret Paia. I was born and raised in Dunedin after my late parents migrated from Mangaia in the Cook Islands during the 1970’s. I come from a large, loving, and supportive family in Dunedin. I am working towards a Bachelor of Social Work degree at Massey University. I currently reside in Invercargill where I am a Tupu Aotearoa Employment and Training Navigator. I am extremely passionate about seeing better and equitable socio-economic outcomes for all New Zealanders, but particularly the most vulnerable in society including Māori and Pacific Peoples. Pacific people often face many systemic barriers when engaging with different organizations. I believe that strong pastoral care, cultural understanding, and empathy are necessary components when serving our Pacific communities and their needs.

As a former Tupu Aotearoa client, I have experienced how awesome this akakoroanga (kaupapa) is and the amazing growth and opportunities that are possible. In the future, I desire to work in shaping social policy, so the voice of Pacific communities is expressed and advocated for. In my role I would like to contribute to seeing our Pacific people empowered to take the right steps towards their educational/training goals, aspirations, and career path. Often all they need is people who care, guidance and direction.

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Temukisa Poliko

Health Services Administrator/Communications

Contact Details

clinic@pto.nz

022 587 7351

Born and raised in Auckland, lived in Samoa for 10 years after, and moved back to NZ, to the cold Dunedin in 2021. I am the Health Services Administrator and Communications Coordinator at PTO. I enjoy the diversity of staff here as well as the community. Sometimes it feels like you are right back in the Islands.

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Theresa Su'a-Faailo

Registered Clinical Nurse/ CPCT

Contact Details

nurse@pto.nz

0224525646

Talofa lava!

My name is Theresa and I am a proud Samoan. I was born and raised in Dunedin.

My parents hail from the beautiful villages of Vailoa Palauli and Matautu Lefaga.

I graduated from Bachelor of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic in 2017. I am very excited to join in on the wonderful work being done at Pacific Trust Otago. I am very passionate about health education, helping and serving others, particularly our Pasifika communities in Dunedin, and Otago.

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Rochelle Barton

Well Child Registered Nurse

Contact Details

rochelle@pto.nz

022 036 1261

I work as a Well Child nurse, I have been at the Trust since 2013. I visit families with tamariki aged 6 weeks to 3 years. I weigh and measure the babies and toddlers and offer support and education around many topics such as breastfeeding, safe sleep, nutrition, oral health and behavior, to ensure these tamariki grow and develop to their full potential. I enjoy working in the community and getting to know and watch families grow and children grow up. I love that at the Trust we can offer additional support for families and a wraparound service to make sure the whole family is supported and cared for.

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Claire Wiechern

Well Child Registered Nurse

Contact Details

claire@pto.nz

022 453 0864

I am originally from Nelson, but now live with my family in Dunedin. I enjoy the great team and whanau atmosphere here at PTO and how everyone is so passionate about supporting our communities.

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Eletise Tennent

Registered Clinical Nurse (CPCT Balclutha/Ke Tatala)

Contact Details

elle@pto.nz

0226063037

Talofa Lava,

My name is Elle I am of Samoan decent. I was born and raised in Samoa in the beautiful village of Lalomanu. I immigrated to NZ over 30 years ago and continued to make frequent visits home. I originally worked for the Pacific Trust Otago 20 years ago as their Well Child Nurse. I moved and lived in Auckland with my family for over 10 years and now made the decision to return to the South Island. I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to work for Pacific Trust Otago again. Over the years I have worked in various roles as a registered nurse, but my passion has always been to work for Pacific people. I live in Cromwell but will be making trips to Dunedin and Balclutha to cover my role as a nurse for CPCT and KeTatala Mental Health.

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Ivona Talatonu

Support Assistant

Contact Details

Talofa lava I am Ivona Talatonu. I am proud to be from Samoa. I am from the village of Tufulele. My husband and I are parents to 5 beautiful children. I wish to take this opportunity to express how grateful I am to be part of the Pacific Trust Otago team. My role as Support Assistant allows me to be of service to our Seniors or Matua and to the Pasifika community here in Dunedin.

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Theresa Sivihiva Aiiloilo

Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

Contact Details

wellbeing@pto.nz

Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei and warm pacific greetings to you all.

My name is Theresa Aiiloilo, and I am proud to be of Samoan and Tongan heritage. My mother hails from the village of Taufusi in Samoa, and my father is from the village of Ha’asini in Tonga. Born and raised in Dunedin, I am married to my wonderful husband, Reopoamo Aiiloilo, and together we have three beautiful children.

After high school, I moved to Christchurch for work and lived there for five years. In 2020, my family and I returned to Dunedin to care for my mother during her battle with cancer. Before joining PTO, I worked as a Learning Assistant and Pacifica Mentor, primarily supporting Neuro-Diverse students from Years 7-13.

My involvement with the PTO aiga began in high school, participating in the Break-away program, the Annual Sports Tournament, and after-school workshops. I am thrilled to take on my new role as the Health and Well-Being Coordinator, where I look forward to expanding my skills and knowledge with the support of the PTO Aiga.

I enjoy:

-Playing Sports

-Hanging out with my family and friends

-Playing and listening to music

-Exploring with my kids

-Meeting and interacting with new people

-Being involved with my Samoan Catholic Youth

Fa’afetai Lava, God Bless

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Dr. Laiseni Liava'a

Research and Development Lead

Contact Details

research@pto.nz

0224889103

I am deeply blessed to serve as the Research and Development Lead at Pacific Trust Otago. Born and nurtured in the Kingdom of Tonga, and called to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2016. My life has been shaped by over 20 years of service in community research, education, church ministry, leadership, and Pacific development. I hold a PhD in Pacific Studies, and my heart is devoted to empowering Tangata Moana through culturally grounded research, training, and partnerships that uplift and strengthen our people. Guided by Pacific values, faith, and the spirit of service, I am committed to nurturing pathways of wellbeing, innovation, and hope that honour the richness of our heritage and the dreams of our communities.

My worldwide vision is simple: “Create Love and Be Love Everywhere.”

Please feel free to just call me Seni. I look forward to sailing this vaka together.

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Konefesi Pa'eonē

Playgroup Coordinator

Contact Details

playgroup@pto.nz

02108871591

Talofa lava. I am Konefesi Masinalupe Pa'eonē, a wife and a mother to two beautiful children. I was born and raised in Samoa, and my villages are Safa'atoa Sataoa and Siufaga Falelatai. I have worked in childcare for 10 years, and this is a space that I really enjoy being in. I am very passionate about childhood education; I love to observe and contribute to small minds growing and develop through play. I enjoy arts & crafts and music.

Greatful for the opportunity to work at Pacific Trust Otago, as the Playgroup Coordinator, another avenue of serving my community.

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Soifua.

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Garrett George

Youth Development Lead

Contact Details

youth@pto.nz

0223565586

Aloha! I am of Hawaiian descent and was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. I studied Psychology and Child Development at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I worked as a support staff and teacher’s aide within the Hawaiʻi Department of Education for nearly four years before moving to Japan, where I spent two years as an English teacher. Since moving to Dunedin in 2020, this small town has become my new home. My wife and I love walking the beaches and exploring with our cat, Onigiri, and our dog, Mochi.

In my role as Youth Development Lead at PTO, I focus on empowering Pasifika youth and creating spaces where they can thrive. I’m passionate about connecting with young people, supporting their growth, and helping them navigate their journeys. With a background in education, mentoring, and programme coordination, I hope to bring meaningful change to the community.

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Lee Levy

Pacific Business Growth Navigator

Contact Details

businessnavigator@pto.nz

022 535 9856

Talofa Lava !

I come from the beautiful Islands of Samoa, hailing from the villages of Vaivase-Tai, Fa'atoia, and Falelima. I initially came to New Zealand to visit family on a 2-week holiday in 2021 but ended up staying in Dunedin after falling in love with this city and its people. I enjoy working on cars, hunting and fishing whenever I get the chance.

My role in PTO is very rewarding, and a big part of my role is to assist and help Pasifika startups and existing businesses get to the next level. I have access to various resources to help our Pacific people get ahead in the business space. I am blessed to be surrounded by the PTO team, whose single focus is to help and support our community.

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Sascha Scholz

Mental Health Clinician

Contact Details

MH-clinician@pto.nz

022 035 7299

My name is Sascha and I am originally from Germany. My wife and I came to New Zealand in 2005 to stay for a 12-month period. Over 19 years later we are still here, and we call New Zealand home. Our Family has grown over time, and we now have 2 daughters, a dog and my father-in-law from Germany living under one roof.

Back in Germany, I studied Social Work and Sport Science. I worked with children and teenagers in different settings and offered physical activity sessions to people with mental health difficulties.

In New Zealand, I trained at Ashburn Clinic to be a Psychotherapist and, after finishing the three years of training as well as working for different organizations, I eventually worked at Ashburn Clinic as a registered Psychotherapist for over 9 years.

We, as a family, recently spend 22 months back in Germany to look after ailing family members. I worked there as a social worker with people from different cultures.

I am looking forward to being a member of the community, to offer my skills and expertise and to learn from the people I meet and work with.

I will endeavor to create a welcoming, warm and respectful atmosphere in which people will feel safe to share whatever it is they want to share. I am not the expert that has the answers but rather someone who will be listening and inquiring to lead people towards the path of healing and to walk with them on the, sometimes rugged, path of change.

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Litia Liza Maiono

Office Administrator

Contact Details

office@pto.nz

0224554895

Nisa Bula Vinaka

Na yacaqu o Litia Maiono.

I was born and raised in Fiji, my dad is from Rewa and mum is from Kadavu. My family (me, my husband and children) moved to NZ in 2008.

I am a compassionate team player who enjoys working with others and being involved in community events. I recently graduated with a Diploma of Business and am now studying for a Bachelor of Applied Management at Otago Polytechnic and seeking to develop my skillset further. My previous job for the last 4 years at Customer Care, Dunedin City Airport gave me the opportunity to assist our people especially with their flight inquiries. I just love working with our Pacific Island Community and getting involved.

My other passion is cooking, I attended the School of Catering at the Fiji Institute of Technology back in 2000 and worked in the Hospitability and Tourism Industry for 3 years. Food is part of our culture and my favorite is our Fijian kokoda.

Vinaka vakalevu.

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