Sonia Pope

I am proud to be the first Tongan/Niuean Educational Psychologist in New Zealand, a role that I approach with both passion and responsibility. With five years of experience as an Educational Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, I have had the privilege of working on projects that focus on the wellbeing and youth development of Pacific young people. This work has allowed me to combine my expertise in psychology with a deep commitment to advocating for Pacific communities. Additionally, I have gained valuable project management experience, where I led initiatives that supported the mental health and development of Pacific youth.

In parallel to my work in education, I have served as a professional teaching clinician at Massey University. There, I have had the opportunity to equip future psychologists with the practical skills necessary to translate theory into meaningful, culturally competent practice. A key aspect of this role has been fostering cultural awareness, particularly in the context of Pacific values and worldviews, so that emerging professionals can better serve our diverse communities.

Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to creating safe, nurturing spaces within school environments where students, teachers, families, and the wider community can thrive. More recently, I have felt a calling to extend this work beyond the educational sector. I have used my qualifications to support our churches in becoming safe spaces, not only for children and the vulnerable, but also for ministers, leaders, congregants, and the wider community.

My passion for working with young people and upskilling professionals, parents, educators, and church leaders continues to grow, as I help them understand how best to support and engage with those who are vulnerable.

I firmly believe that the field of Educational Psychology requires more Pacific voices and perspectives. I actively advocate for greater Pacific representation in this field and encourage any Pacific individual with aspirations to pursue this career to do so. As the saying goes, “Be the rose that grew from the crack in the concrete.” This quote about resilience resonates deeply with me, as I am a strong believer in the ability to successfully adapt to life’s challenges. These experiences ultimately strengthen our mental, emotional, physical, behavioural, and cultural wellbeing.