Adeleine Tala Eli is bringing a strong foundation of service and passion into her new role as President of the University of Otago Pacific Islands Students Association (UOPISA).

At 21, and the first in her family to attend university, Adeleine steps into the presidency with a clear purpose: to ensure Pacific students feel supported, connected, and seen both on and off campus.

“I have always felt a strong connection to leadership. It’s not something you’re taught, but embedded in you at a young age, and for me, it started at church. You know, service is key in the Pacific.”

Adeleine has a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and is currently doing her Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, endorsed in Health Promotion. She is originally from Fasito’o Uta and Afega in Samoa and was raised in Ōtara, South Auckland, and says her upbringing shaped a deep commitment to community.

That same sense of responsibility now drives how she leads UOPISA and the work she hopes to achieve alongside her executive team this year.

“At first I thought leadership meant to be at the front leading the charge, but growing up, and throughout my years here, I’ve learned how to sit back and listen more.”

Her decision to study at Otago was strongly influenced by the Pacific support she experienced even before arriving.

“Pacific presence is why I chose Otago, in the sense of Pacific staff, like POPO [The Pacific Opportunities Programme at Otago]. They kept calling and checking on me before I had even been accepted.”

Alongside this, her participation in the Kickstart 101 programme helped ease the transition into university life – a level of care she now hopes to reflect in her leadership.

“I’m the first to go to uni so it was hard for my parents. But I explained to them that I saw Otago as a place of new experiences and learning independence, which is what I needed.”

Now as President, Adeleine’s focus is on ensuring UOPISA remains an accessible support system for Pacific students.

“I would love to see more presence, to make ourselves more involved so that the students know the sort of village they have away from home.”

A key priority for her and her team is student wellbeing – not only supporting individuals but also ensuring that student leaders within associations are able to sustain their own balance.

She is also passionate about reaching students who may not already be connected to cultural associations, creating safe and inclusive spaces beyond existing structures.

“How do we make a safe space if they’re not interested? More so, how to celebrate Pacific students and engagement.”

With a team made up of experienced association members, Adeleine is confident in what they can achieve together.

“Everyone in the team has their unique strengths, and it’s a matter of working together to serve”.

Their plans for the year include building connections through welcome initiatives, Pacific social games, Moana Nui volunteering, and wider engagement opportunities that bring students and community together.

Adeleine’s leadership journey at Otago has been shaped by involvement – from the Kickstart programme to being part of associations like the Biomedical Otago Pacific Students' Association (BOPSA) and the Otago Samoan Students' Association (OSSA).

“Being a part of OSSA was for my culture. It was my way of expressing my culture and although it was a lot, it always filled my cup.

“These experiences, alongside my studies in Public Health, help me understand my leadership style.”

Beyond campus, her commitment to service continues through Penina o le Moana, founded by Va’a o Tautai, Acting Deputy Co-Director and Lecturer in Pacific Health, Talai Mapusua Nabalagi. For the past three years, Adeleine has mentored young girls through cultural learning of Samoan culture, dance and language – a role she describes as her most meaningful contribution to the community.

“Teaching these girls what it means to be a tama’ita’i Sāmoa is special to me, because it’s the same seed planted in me as a child.

“It’s actually been a massive learning opportunity being a part of Penina, those kids are like my baby sisters. It’s my favourite part of Dunedin,” Adeleine says.

As she leads UOPISA into the year ahead, Adeleine’s message to Pacific students is simple: balance is key.

“You can be culturally grounded and still do well academically. It’s just a matter of how to do it right and it’s okay to not have the answer at first, that’s the whole point. Start with finding your village.”