Pacific health pioneer Aseta Redican to receive honorary Otago doctorate

Samoan physiotherapy pioneer Aseta Redican is being celebrated for more than six decades of service to Pacific health, with the University of Otago set to award her an Honorary Doctor of Science this weekend.

Mrs Redican made history in 1964 when she became the first Pacific person to qualify as a physiotherapist in Aotearoa, graduating from the University of Otago’s School of Physiotherapy.

Born in Samoa, she moved to Aotearoa at 13 after receiving a Samoan government scholarship to attend boarding school in Stratford, near New Plymouth. With very little English and only the opportunity to return home every three years, she says the experience helped develop the perseverance that shaped her career.

After graduating from Otago, Mrs Redican returned to Samoa where she established the first physiotherapy department at Apia General Hospital, providing care for patients including people living with paraplegia, poliomyelitis and muscular dystrophy, as well as those recovering from surgery.

She later returned to Aotearoa, developing the physiotherapy department at Masonic Hospital in Auckland before moving into Pacific health leadership.

One of her most significant contributions was establishing the Pacific Heartbeat programme at the New Zealand Heart Foundation. Rather than simply distributing health information to Pacific communities, the programme trained Pacific people to deliver health education within their own communities, a model that has since influenced approaches across the health sector.

Her leadership also helped establish Pacific primary healthcare providers and community partnerships through the Northern Regional Health Authority, while her time as General Manager of Pacific Health with the Auckland District Health Board saw the creation of the Pacific Family Support Service at Starship Hospital and two Pacific Primary Health Organisations.

Beyond healthcare, Mrs Redican has played an important role in advocacy for Pacific communities. She is a founding member of PACIFICA Inc and the National Council of Samoan Women in New Zealand.

In 2020, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her pioneering services to health and Pacific peoples.

Although she retired from her professional career in 2009, Mrs Redican has continued to serve on the boards of organisations including the Heart Foundation, Fred Hollows Foundation and Spectrum Care Trust.

She says receiving the honorary doctorate came as a surprise.

“I was overwhelmed and in total disbelief – still am,” she says.

“Someone, or some people, must have recommended me and whoever they are, I am eternally grateful.”

University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson says Mrs Redican is a trailblazer whose work has had a lasting impact on Pacific health.

“After dedicating her career to improving the health and wellbeing of others, it is only right that we take the time to celebrate her,” he says.

The honorary doctorate will be presented at the University of Otago’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, recognising a Samoan woman whose pioneering work helped change the way Pacific health is delivered in Aotearoa and the Pacific.