Last week Friday 3rd of May, a group of 8 Pasifika leaders Zac George, Junior Lito, Tony Ese, Kiana Uiti, Lohaina Teleai Tiapapa Soo, Emily Chong-Nee, Petra Falaniko and Samarah Misiaga attended the Tula’i summit hosted by mentors and leaders from our community at the Te Manawa community hub. There were a total of 8 West Auckland schools in attendance who participated in various ice-breaker activities, team-building and talanoa. This summit was a great opportunity for our Pasifika leaders to network with other Pasifika leaders within West Auckland.

Our students had the privilege of hearing from  Aigagalefili Fepulea’i Tapua’i, a poet, indigenous and climate change activist. Fili shared words of wisdom as a Pasifika wahine from Māngere encouraging our students to become active members of their Pacific communities and if they want to advocate and make a difference of a large scale, it starts with small actions such as voicing their opinions to their peers, whanau or local community. 

The overarching learning objective of Tula’i is for our young leaders to build a strong foundation in Pacific value systems that provide a safe space to explore their leadership capabilities and capacity. The aim of this programme is to edify a Pacific worldview that encourages a growth mindset. Students will develop the tools and skills that allow them to speak confidently, take initiative, and advocate to make a difference for Pacific people and be positive role models in the community.

“Indigenous peoples who live in the diaspora, those that are separated from ancestral pathways of knowing, land connection, language acquisition find health, emotional stability and wellness when returning to the source of who they are, and what they believe” - Keonilei Lealiifano

This is only the beginning of the Tula’i 2024 cohort's 15-week journey, and we look forward to the growth that lies ahead as they navigate being an integral part of the cosmos.

If you would like to follow along their journey, follow komitipasifika.wc on Instagram for updates.

Malo ‘Aupito, 

Miss Iripa.