Formal welcome for new Ihonuku te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Jemaima Tiatia
27 June 2022
On Monday 20 June Waipapa Taumata Rau officially welcomed its new Ihonuku te Moana-nui-a-kiwa, Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Associate Professor Jemaima Tiatia, in a pan-Pacific ceremony at the Fale Pasifika.
The University of Auckland's Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Associate Professor Jemaima Tiatia, was formally welcomed into her new role at the Fale Pasifika on Monday 20 June.
The welcome was a pan-Pacific celebration that included a Cook Island Turou, aspects of a Fijian Yaqona ceremony and was led by Samoan, Tongan, Niuean and Cook Island staff and students.
It was an emotional morning that saw Jemaima flanked by her immediate and extended 'aiga.
Alongside was the University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater, members of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori office, senior leaders from across the University, and Pacific staff and students in large numbers.
The seated ceremony was opened by the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori with a mihi whakatau and then a lotu by Dr Therese Lautua. Following this was the Yaqona, being led by Fijian community member Malcolm Andrews with student leaders from across Pacific nations. After the formal drinking of the Yaqona was completed, the celebration continued with speeches and a traditional siva Sāmoa by Jemaima herself, joined by her 'aiga, staff and students.
Jemaima is the second Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific at Waipapa Taumata Rau and the first female in the role.
Media queries
Emmaline Pickering-Martin
Media Advisor, Pacific | Waipapa Taumata Rau University of
Auckland
E: emmaline.pickering-martin@auckland.ac.nz