World's first Pacific clinical psychology professor celebrated in Ōtara

Ōtara was the site for a particularly auspicious occasion this month.

Apaula Julia Ioane is the first Pacific professor of clinical psychology and she chose to have her appointment ceremony at the Ōtara Music and Arts Center - as opposed to a university, where such events are normally held.

“It's where I grew up, it's where I was raised, it's important to take it back home, take it back to my community,” she said in her speech to attendees.

Ioane used her speech to also urge South Auckland youth to keep trying and move forward even if they fail.

“If I can do it, we all can … if you fail like I did, it's really going to be what you do after that, and to keep moving forward, especially for those of us that grew up in Ōtara and South Auckland. We can do this.”

Apaula Julia Ioane performing the Taualuga to close the ceremony.

The event had one underlying message, “in order to lead, one must serve”, which was Ione’s mantra, and something she says has been a goal throughout her career.

Judge Soana Moala who knows Ione through her work in the youth justice system, said it's unbelieveable how much work Ione does in the field of psychology for the Pacific community.

“It's actually quite unbelievable the amount of work she does … she is in every area that relates to the Pacific community in line with her psychological work. I can't speak highly enough of her”.

Despite the exemplary work, Moala said that Ione had to work harder than others to get where she was.

“It's a big deal for us, it takes a lot of hard work, I would say she would have to work harder than a Pakeha psychologist who was aiming for those roles … she's breaking new grounds, she's achieving something our community hasn't had.”

Rayna Phillips, one of Ioane’s students, says Ioane is always focused on Pacific wellbeing.

“Julia is a huge pillar in our community and has really spearheaded Indigenous psychologies in that space, envisioning what wellbeing can be for our Pasifika communities.”

Phillips adds that it is fitting the Ioane should break this particular glass ceiling for Pacific people.

“It's sad that it's taken until 2024 for this to be the case, but we're really blessed for Julia to be the person who holds the torch and starts the run.”

However Ioane reiterated throughout the ceremony that while achievements like this are important, it's how people use their achievements to help others that really matters.

“It's not really about being a professor, it's about what can you do with the privilege that you have and the privilege that you have been awarded … when we achieve, what do you do with those achievements and what do you do to give to your community?”