ReNDES @ UoA

Biography

Nellisa is Tongan born, but raised in New Zealand. She has a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in Geography and Pacific Studies. She has just recently completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Geography. She is currently doing her Master’s Research in Disaster Risk Management with a focus on Tonga as her case study. Working with people, particularly vulnerable communities, is a passion of hers. She also had an internship in an NGO where for three months I worked with foster kids and the elderly at Juguemos en el Bosque in Medellin, Colombia through the Prime Minister's Scholarship for Latin America. She also went to Osaka, Japan as part of the Japan Empowerment Programme where she discussed climate change and its impacts with High School students. These experiences enhanced her understanding of different cultures and worldviews. Ultimately, Nellisa wants to contribute to the development of Tonga through her research of disasters and people, providing an opportunity for everyday Tongans to actively participate and utilise their cultural knowledge in coping and responding to disasters. Although speaking fluent Tongan, she strives to continuously develop her understanding of the language. She also speaks some Spanish and Japanese. For Nellisa, the learning never stops.