The Pasifika Students’ Council has elected a new president following revelations of misuse of Samoan Students’ Association funding.
Fabiefara Masoe, who was elected Pasifika Students’ Council (PSC) President in 2013, resigned this month. The Pasifika Students’ Council held a Special General Meeting where they elected a new president, Karl Moresi.
Masoe, who was a member of the Samoan Students’ Association (VUSSA) Executive in 2013, resigned after she was implicated in the misuse of VUSSA funds in 2013. Sources have told Salient the money involved is not more than $2000, and that there is a repayment plan now in place.
The financial irregularities had been disclosed in 2013, but the PSC understood that they had been dealt with. After it became clear this month that they had not been dealt with, Masoe resigned.
VUSSA is one of seven representative groups for Pasifika students at Victoria, all of which operate independent executives. The PSC is an umbrella group which advocates for Pasifika students at university and works with the representative groups.
VUSSA is funded as a club by the University, using money from the $690 Student Services Levy paid by every full-time student. It also funds its activities through membership fees and fundraising.
The Pasifika Students’ Council does not influence the VUSSA Executive, but has in the past ‘helped out’ by making donations to the Association, as it has with the other representative groups. This is at the discretion of each year’s Executive.
Since the financial situation was disclosed, VUWSA has offered support to the PSC in the form of accounting services. The PSC is looking at introducing new safeguards, though the PSC itself has not been implicated in any misuse of money.
PSC Vice-President Ropeti Huntley said this was aimed at demonstrating transparency and openness within the organisation.
“It has been a challenging process, but assurances can be made that the University and the parties involved are working closely together to move on, and furthermore, that there are no financial issues with the Pasifika Students’ Council.”
“Furthermore, PSC extend their gratitude to all those who have shown their support during this time, particularly to the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association. We are extremely grateful,” Huntley said.