Finance and Infrastructure Opposition spokesperson, the Hon. Pesetatamalelagi Barbara Edmonds, returned to her alma mater, the University of Auckland, to meet with Business academics and learn more about the Pacific Strategy and Pacific Academy initiatives launching this year.
Edmonds (Fale’ula, Faleatiu, Safotu, Fasito’o/Sāmoa), the MP for Mana, visited the University on 24 February. She met with leaders from the School of Business, Schools, Community and Engagement Team, and the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific.
“It’s nice to be back home, it does feel like home. This is my alma mater, where I did my Law and Arts degree that set me up for my career.
We had good discussions with the School of Business around macro and microeconomic policies that we will be testing as part of our policy development. It’s always great to be with our Pacific students.”
A Milestone Pacific Strategy
Professor Jemaima Sipaea Tiatia-Siau, Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, said drafting the University’s first Pacific Strategy in 142 years has been a major task over the past year. She emphasized the significance of having Edmonds review the work.
“We’re grateful to have had Hon. Barbara Edmonds visit campus to learn about the work we have undertaken.
She is a great example of why drawing up a roadmap for Pacific success is important—so our young people can flourish at the University and graduate ready to take on the world.”
Professor Tiatia-Siau noted Edmonds’ interest in initiatives like the Auckland Maths Challenge and Pacific Academy, which prepare school leavers for university and ensure Pacific youth thrive in higher education.
Encouraging Pacific Leadership in Business
Edmonds spoke about the importance of encouraging the Pacific community into business. She originally studied Health Sciences before pivoting to Law and Arts, graduating in 2008 and later becoming a specialist tax lawyer.
A mother of eight, Edmonds’ path to politics began eight years ago while working as a private secretary for National’s Ministers of Revenue, Michael Woodhouse and Judith Collins. In 2017, she became a political adviser for Labour’s Revenue and Police Minister, Stuart Nash. She was elected as MP for Mana in 2020 and became a Cabinet Minister in 2023, overseeing Internal Affairs and Pacific Peoples portfolios.
“I came into the business space through Arts and Law—a very different pathway,” said Edmonds, 44.
“I got into Tax through Law, which broadened my career opportunities. The Humanities and Arts are important—they provide a strong foundation for diverse careers.
I was fortunate to have a strong academic grounding at the Law School and Faculty of Arts, and decades later, here I am as Finance Opposition spokesperson for a major political party. Don’t knock the Arts!”
Inspiring Future Pacific Scholars
Professor Tiatia-Siau described Edmonds’ visit as a valuable source of guidance and encouragement.
“This week, we welcome our first-year students, and we are also on the eve of a great milestone.
The presence of Pesetatamalelagi Hon. Barbara Edmonds is a show of support for our work. She is a wonderful role model for what can be achieved with a university education.”
