I am a Kiwi-born Niuean with roots from Avatele Oneonepata and Makefu Falekahoatua. I am married to a native Samoan, Togia Tavita who hails from Vailuutai and Vaiala. Together we have four children - aged 8, 9,19 and 25 and one mokopuna aged 5. (She is of Niue-Samoa-Cook Island-Kiribas and Tahitian descent).
An ordained Presbyterian Minister of Niue Takanini PIPC, I am currently serving as the Deputy Principal of Kelston Girls College. In 2020, I will be working closer to home as Deputy Principal of Manurewa High School and I am also due to submit my Doctoral Thesis on Niueans and Doctoral Success. My research focuses on Niuean Indigeneity and Niuean cultural factors that influence and support doctoral success. When I started my doctoral research in 2014 there were five Niuean academic doctors in the world! Now that I am completing my thesis, there will be 12 academic doctors of Niuean descent...in the world!
I am excited to share a Niuean methodology – Tia Lili Methodology - that has come from my research and I am looking forward to spending my scholarship time on the final touches. Fakaaue lahi.
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