Rate My Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau

Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau is Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland and a professor in Pacific Studies at Te Wānanga o Waipapa, School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies. She holds a BA, MA, DPH and PhD. Of Samoan descent, she began her role as Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific in 2022 and is responsible for implementing the University’s strategy for Pacific staff, students and communities, enhancing the Pacific profile and developing programmes. In collaboration with the Vice-Chancellor, Pacific staff, students and the community, she advises senior leadership on Pacific issues, leads relationships with Pacific organisations and high schools and oversees the University’s Fale Pasifika complex. She also serves as Co-Head of School and Head of Pacific Studies.

Professor Tiatia-Siau specialises in the study, research and teaching of suicide prevention and postvention, mental health and wellbeing, youth development, Pacific Studies, health inequities and the impact of climate change on mental wellbeing. Her academic interests centre on Pacific health, Pacific Studies and related areas of mental health and youth development. She is a full professor at the University of Auckland with expertise in these fields, contributing to the advancement of Pacific scholarship and wellbeing initiatives within the Arts faculty.