Sir Collin Tukuitonga makes history as first Niuean knight and professor

“Scholarship should be activism,” he said. “It should work for the people it speaks about.” Sir Colin Tukuitonga via RNZ 

With those words, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM stood before a full house at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika, not just as an academic, but as a servant of the people.

On 5 June, Sir Collin delivered his inaugural professorial lecture, An Advocate for Equity, surrounded by community, colleagues and loved ones. The evening marked a significant milestone. He is now the first Niuean to hold both a knighthood and a professorial title. He is also one of only two Niuean professors in the world — a rare combination that reflects decades of service, humility and commitment to improving the lives of Pacific peoples.

From the villages of Alofi to global platforms of health leadership, Sir Collin has stayed true to the values passed down by his grandparents.

“In my case, my mother had 15 siblings — all of them were mums and dads. I was raised by my grandparents — a Niuean tradition. Grandad was tough love. He taught me to work hard and never rely on others.” he told RNZ 

Raised in a home where love was abundant but resources were limited, Sir Collin’s path has never been about prestige. His journey has been rooted in duty — to family, to community, and to those who are too often overlooked by the systems meant to serve them.

His work spans more than forty years. From founding The Fono, one of New Zealand’s first Pacific-led health providers, to leading national and international health responses, he has focused on ensuring Pacific communities are not left behind. He has held roles including Director of Public Health for Aotearoa New Zealand and Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC), and continues to influence policy as Co-Director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health.

“Equity is not equality,” he reminded the audience. “It is recognising that some in our communities need more help than others. And failing to act on that costs us all.”

Those words have guided his work, including recent efforts to introduce micro-qualifications for adult Pacific learners.

These short courses aim to recognise and build on the skills of Pacific people already contributing in health and education, who may lack formal credentials. For Sir Collin, lifting up the Pacific workforce has never been about ticking boxes — it is about shifting who holds influence and decision-making power.

In 2024, Sir Collin helped establish the Pacific Academy of Sciences, officially launched at CHOGM in Sāmoa. As Chair of the Academy Trust, he continues to promote Pacific-led research in areas such as climate change, ocean protection and health, while mentoring the next generation of Pacific scientists across the region.

To close the evening, Dean of Medical and Health Sciences Professor Warwick Bagg announced that Sir Collin had signed a new five-year contract with the University of Auckland — a signal that his work is still very much ongoing.

As Sir Collin reminded us: “Tao e umu ke moho.” The umu must be watched until the food is ready.