Rate My Professor Scotty Opetaia

Scotty Opetaia is the Pacific Students Transition Officer at the University of Otago's Pacific Islands Centre (PIC), located at 520 Castle Street, Dunedin. He joined the centre at the end of 2021, alongside Transition Officer Tameti Teweti, contributing to its exponential growth with the addition of three new positions, two of which were newly created roles at the university. The PIC serves as a family away from home for Pacific students, assisting them throughout their academic journeys to ensure they are enjoyable and stress-free. Opetaia works within a team that includes Manager Tagiilima Feleti, fellow Pacific Students Transition Officers Tameti Teweti and Tala Fagasoaia, Pacific Outreach Programmes and Community Liaison Petelo Sinamoni, Tutorials and Academic Pastoral Support Co-ordinator Kristy Walker, Hauora Connector Pacific Viola Huch, and Administrator Irene Ellis. Contact details for Opetaia include DDI +64 3 479 8996, mobile +64 21 279 0724, and email scotty.opetaia@otago.ac.nz. The centre provides essential services such as academic pastoral support, tutorials, wellbeing connections, and community liaison for Pacific students across all disciplines.

In his role, Scotty Opetaia offers guidance and support to new and first-year Pacific Island students, helping with enrolment, admission queries, and transitioning to university life. He delivers pastoral care, checking in on students' academic progress and accommodating commitments like labs and exams. Opetaia participates in university events including the Parents Welcome during OWeek, Samoa Language Week sharing knowledge of Samoa, Pacific staff association gatherings where he led dance performances, and the Careers Advisers' Conference. Additionally, he coaches the Seafarers men's rugby sevens team, an affiliated University of Otago club primarily made up of students, alongside manager Tameti Teweti and founder Jekope Maiono. Under his coaching, the team achieved first place at the Kaiviti Southland Fijian Sevens tournament and strong performances at Larry’s Cup. Opetaia emphasizes holistic development, integrating academics with sport by encouraging contributions from students in nutrition, physiotherapy, and strength training, while prioritizing pastoral care to support players' studies.