Faumuina Prof. Faafetai Sopoaga is of Samoan descent. Faumuina is a chiefly title from Salimu, Fagaloa. Born and raised in Samoa, she is the Director of the Va’a o Tautai, Faculty of Medicine-Dunedin, University of Otago. She was appointed to be a Companion of NZ Order of Merit for her services to Pacific communities and tertiary education, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s award for excellence in tertiary teaching, including recognition for supporting Pacific learners. She is a Fellow of the NZ College of Public Health Medicine and Royal NZ College of GPs.

Her research interests and passion include health and wellbeing and supporting the growth of the Pacific health workforce, establishing the award winning POPO (Pacific Opportunities and Programmes @ Otago) in 2011 which has supported the development and success of Pacific students at Otago studying towards a career in health. She contributed to the establishment of the medical school in the National University of Samoa, and is involved in supporting workforce development and research in the Pacific region.