Dr Emma Dunlop‑Bennett (Sā Petaia, Sā Te’o, Sā Atoā, and Ngāti Maniapoto) is the Assistant Vice Chancellor Pasifika at Te Herenga Waka. She has over 25 years of leadership experience in foreign policy, diplomacy, international development, research, and community work. Dr Dunlop-Bennett served as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to South Africa and led development programmes in Fiji and Vanuatu. Her PhD pioneered Pacific‑grounded research by positioning Samoan children as experts on their wellbeing. She has worked across the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa to advance sustainable development and community wellbeing.