Meet the Pacific Team

The Pacific at Waikato team is here to provide strategic leadership, direction, programs, advice, and resources that can support staff as they help Pacific learners achieve success.

You can contact the Dau ni Talitali - Pacific Engagement Manager at monicamegan.faasu@waikato.ac.nz.

Through her mother, Keaka is Kanaka Maoli, Kanaka 'Ōiwi from Na 'Ohana o Kalama of La'ie, Hawai'i. Through her father, she is Cherokee from Boyd Mountain in Northwest Arkansas ... and a few other things.  

Keaka is a Waikato alumna, having done her Bachelor of Laws with first-class honours and her PhD in Law at the University. She taught and was the Associate Dean Undergraduate at Te Piringa prior to being appointed as the first Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Waikato in February 2019.  

The AVC Pacific role provides strategic leadership for the university's ongoing efforts to improve success for Pacific learners, staff, families and communities through tertiary education. The AVC Pacific is the chair of the Pacific Strategic Committee, sits on other committees and boards, and works closely with the University Leadership Group, Research and Enterprise, Human Resources, and Business Intelligence and Analytics.  

The AVC Pacific looks after the Lo'i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub and Te Pōkingā Ngaru programme.

Read more about Keaka's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.

Monica, proud of her Samoan, Tokelauan, and Wallisian heritage, is dedicated to Pacific engagement and student success. Her cultural identity drives her commitment to inclusivity, ensuring Pacific learners feel valued and empowered. With a Bachelor of Communication Studies and a Master of Management Studies, she applies her deep understanding of strategic outreach, student engagement, and leadership to foster Pacific student success.

Monica advances Pacific student success at the University of Waikato through cultural engagement, strategic outreach, and digital communication. She promotes Pacific student achievements, leads community initiatives, and oversees support services, pastoral care, and scholarships to empower learners throughout their academic journey.

The name of the Dau ni Talitali Pacific Engagement Manager has been gifted by the Fijian community. The name refers to a master weaver, in this case, a weaver of people. The role is focused on connecting Pacific learners and their families and communities with learning, culture and community on campus. The role leads out for the AVC Pacific team on cultural events, connections with high schools, pastoral care, social media and the website. This role works closely with the Student Services, Future Students and Marketing teams.

The Dau ni Talitali looks after the Tupaia Challenge, 'Āiga on Campus, and Imua Initiative. She also supervises the FoE High School STEM Navigators programme.

Read more about Monica's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.

I am Wiliame Tawake, currently covering Dr. Hennah’s role while she is on parental leave. I am a PhD candidate from Fiji with over 15 years of teaching experience across Fiji and Japan, spanning primary, high school, and tertiary levels.

I completed my master's research in Japan and have served as an adviser for heads of schools in Fiji, particularly in the western division. My teaching experience includes both public and international schools in Fiji and Japan, with a focus on developing teaching competencies and providing professional development.

The name of the Taki Ako role has been gifted by our Tongan community. The name refers to a teacher of teachers, in this case, a teacher and researcher who will support Pacific learners and various teachers to improve Pacific learner success.

The Taki Ako looks after cultural legacy-based learner success and leadership initiatives, namely the Calling the Island, Challenge the Horizon and E Tasi Teaching Toolkit programmes. Hennah is our lead on first-year Study Advising and she works closely with the Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning and the Library to develop culturally responsive programmes in teaching and learning.

The Taki Ako also supervises the Palu Undergraduate Navigators programme.

Contact details:

Email: wills.tawake@waikato.ac.nz

Agatha Gibbons was born and raised in Suva, Fiji. She is a high-performance athlete and was a NCAA collegiate product, playing volleyball in the United States of America.

Today, Agatha is currently a doctoral researcher whose work centers on the intersection of gender, culture, and health in sport. Her research focuses on the menstruation-related knowledge and experiences of Pacific sportswomen—an area often overlooked in mainstream sports science, which has traditionally been dominated by white, Western frameworks.

Agatha's doctoral research examines Pacific sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation, highlighting their absence in existing discussions. Using a culturally grounded Masi Methodology, she engages with Fijian sportswomen and Pasifika athletes through talanoa sessions. Her study reveals challenges such as pain management, cultural stigma, and limited support from coaches, with participants calling for systemic change to foster more informed and supportive environments in sport.

Agatha’s research is a call to expand the field of sports medicine and science to include diverse cultural perspectives and lived experiences. By doing so, she aims to improve support systems for Pacific sportswomen and ensure their knowledge, values, and health needs are fully acknowledged and addressed.

A Pacific Health Science Academy Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting Pacific students to pursue careers in health sciences. They develop and manage programmes that provide academic support, mentoring, and career exposure, ensuring students have the guidance and resources needed to succeed. This includes coordinating events such as hospital visits and guest lectures, fostering collaborations with schools.

Contact details:

Email: agatha.gibbons@waikato.ac.nz

UoW students from STEM act as Navigators for the high school students in the FoE High School STEM Programme — sharing their love of their cultures, presenting information on degrees and programmes, talking about their own experience, and designing and leading learning.  

Their goal is to enhance interest in and knowledge of STEM study and careers amongst Pacific high school students and their parents through weekly shared kai and learning activities based on cultural legacies of STEM.

Read more about FoE High School STEM Navigators

Palu Undergraduate Navigators 

Senior Pacific students act as Palu (or master navigators) helping other students navigate study, services and opportunities. Each of the four divisions, FMIS and Tauranga have been assigned a Navigator. They provide culturally responsive, one-on-one support for Pacific undergraduate students and connect them with central and divisional support and resources.  

For more on Pacific research, researchers and research excellence, visit the Lo‘i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub.

Read more about Palu Undergraduate Navigators.

Our Pacific at Waikato team works closely with a much wider aiga at the University who are all committed to helping our learners succeed. 

The culturally responsive Te Pokinga Ngaru Leadership Programme is designed to empower Pacific staff in their leadership journeys and careers through workshops, mentoring, professional development, ASP, GSSR and PBRF support, leadership building, and well-being thinking.