Torrential rain, wild weather and flight

cancellations was no match for the

enthusiastic attendees of the Association

of Pacific Staff in Tertiary Education

(APSTE) conference held at Whitireia

Porirua Campus during the mid semester

break. Co-hosted by Whitireia

Community Polytechnic and Wellington

Institute of Technology (WelTec), the

annual event brought together Pacific

tertiary staff from around New Zealand.

The theme for the conference was

“Ei kota’a te rere!- A journey for the

frigate bird! We in Pasifika education are

here for the long haul”, which recognised

the commitment of Pacific staff on the

participation, retention and performance

of Pacific students. An impressive

programme of workshops featured a

wide spectrum of topics that explored

innovative approaches in the areas of

career development and progression.

The next conference will be held at Ara

Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch.

Fakaalofa lahi atu

Welcome to the latest

edition of Pasifika PRIDE.

In this issue we feature a

collection of Pacific focused

activities and events at

Whitireia. As we enter the

“business” end of the

academic year, we

congratulate you all on your

achievements thus far and

encourage you to give

100% to the remaining

requirements of your study.

We are proud of our Pacific

students success, whether

you are completing your

studies or just beginning.

Your success is not only for

you but your family and

communities. Continue to

strive for excellent in all you

do.

Kia Monuina

Leisha Williams Pasifika Success Advisor

leisha.williams@whitireia.ac.nz

Ei kota’a te rere

Aliitasi Su’a– Tavila, Teremoana Hodges & friend

Tane Karepa, Solomon Daniel & Louis Smith

2

A focused drive to celebrate Pacific

Language Weeks at Whitireia led to a

series of successful week long activities

for Pacific Language Weeks. The

maintenance and promotion of Pacific

heritage languages was key to the

celebration of each treasured Pacific

language weeks this year. A flag raising

ceremony and singing of the national

anthem kick started each week of

celebration with Pacific dignitaries and

community attending, rain or shine.

For the second year in a row,

a traditional umu was prepared by staff

and students at the Industry Training

Centre as part of Samoa Language

Week. The exchange of Pacific greetings

and phrases was encouraged across the

institution, and supported by the CE,

Chris Gosling in his weekly address.

Members of the Pacific Community

Liaison team led Pacific handicraft and

activities for staff, which proved hugely

popular. Students were also given the

opportunity to participate in activities

around language, culture and traditions.

Highlights of the first Pacific Language

weeks was the interactive Hot hula

session led by Cook Islands staff

member Kasey Burns and the Tongan

students dance performance.

Cook Islands pride Sam Samuel and Jean Mitaera at Cook Islands book launch

PACIFIC LANGUAGE WEEKS 2017

The language and cultures of

the Pacific are celebrated during

the year, to ensure their growth

and survival in New Zealand:

Samoa Language Week:

28 May– 3 June

Cook Islands Language Week:

30 July– 5 August

Tonga Language Week:

3– 9 September

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori:

11– 17 September

Tuvalu Language Week:

1– 7 October

Fiji Language Week:

8– 14 October

Niue Language Week:

15– 21 October

Tokelau Language Week:

23– 29 October

Cook Islands Language Week 2017

3

Pacific Village

A series of Pacific handicraft workshops

were held for staff this year in celebration of

Pacific Language Weeks. The popular

events were run by the Pacific Community

Liaison team with the help of community

members.

EYE ON IT

Current Industry

Maria Uluilelata makes a Sei (flower) for Samoa Language Week Staff at Cook Islands Ei Katu (head dress) workshop

The Pacific Community Liaison

team is responsible for engaging

with & developing strong links

with our Pacific communities.

Veronica Vaovasa– Co-ordinator

Helen Kisona– Tokelau Advisor

Tuaine Robati– Cook Islands

The team also liaises with the

Tonga, Fiji, Niue and Tuvalu

communities & other

Pacific people.

Beautiful Ei katu (head dress)

Jeanette Grace displays her completed Ei Katu

Cook Islands Language Week Cupcakes

4

Tongan Language Week/ Uike

Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga

provided students and staff the

opportunity to learn basic Lea Faka

Tongan and explore the culture and

traditions of Tonga. One of the

highlights of this years celebrations was

a performance by Tongan students and

friends. Students responded to a

request to help organise the week long

celebrations. As a result, a student led

dance group was established that

included international Tongan students,

local students and their classmates

from Porirua Campus. The theme for

the week was Fakakoloa Aotearoa ‘Aki

‘Ae Nofo 'A Kainga- Enriching Aotearoa

with our Family Values. A range of

events during the week echoed this

theme with the sharing of food, music,

craft and language.

The group performed to a large and

enthusiastic crowd at a mid week

Ako Ake is a study space for

Pacific & Maori students.

The room is located in F014,

Entrance 4 at Porirua Campus.

Students can access the room

until 11pm during the week,

while weekend hours are until

6pm by swipe card.

The office of the Pasifika

Success Advisor is right next

door.

The lovely Tongan students dance group

event. With only a short time to arrange

and practice, the group proudly

performed a traditional dance in front of

their peers and staff.

Family and community members

supported the lunchtime celebrations,

sharing, catering for the large crowd

and leading handicraft activities.

60,000 people identify as Tongan in

New Zealand and just over half can

speak their mother tongue.

The Tongan language was embraced

during the week with greetings and

basic phrases heard across the

institution.

Tongan students and staff were

encouraged to wear tradition dress and

shared the importance of their identify,

tradition and language.

Happy folks at the Tongan kahoa (garland) making workshop

Tongan students, staff & Ministry of Pacific Peoples

5

Graduation Smiles

SNAPSHOTS

Hard work is rewarded with Special prizes Whitireia staff at the mid year graduations

New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration & Technology) Proud family moment

Aloisio Uvea & his family from Tonga

6

Professional Development Little Shop of WHITIREIA

Pacific students shone in the

final production of the year for

Musical Theatre programme,

The Little Shop of Horrors.

Over the season, students

retold the iconic American rock

musical horror comedy of a

nerdy florist (played by Konrad

Makisi) and his man-eating

plant. The production was the

graduation show for those

completing their second year

diploma or three year degree.

The show also featured first

year students in the ensemble.

facebook.com/ Whitireia Pacific

This year Performing Arts travelled to

France and proved once again to be

fantastic representatives of both

Whitireia and New Zealand. Led by

Artistic Director, Tuaine Robati, the

group participated in international

folklore dance festivals through

CIOFF Festival Organizers, a

worldwide network. The troupe

performed Cooks Islands, Samoan

and Maori genders with the famous

Maori haka always a favourite with the

Wonders

Overseas Experience crowds. Graduate students joined the

group this year, taking on a mentoring

role with students. The overseas

wananga experience is a big component

of the Bachelor of Applied Arts

(Performing Arts) programme. Over the

tour students build not only their

performance skills but increase their

knowledge of dance genres, exchange of

ideas and grow an understanding of

cultural heritage and traditions of other

people

us

Pukana!

Performing Arts students in France

7

Maori & Pacific Trades Training (MPTT)

Scholarship students continue to succeed in

their chosen industries. Recent Certificate in

Carpentry graduate Azaria- Lily Felagai won

the 'Most Promising First-Year Student'

category at the 2017 NZIOB Student

Achievement Awards. Azaria, who gained an

apprenticeship with Hawkins Construction

after completing her course at Whitireia,

was nominated for “giving her best to everything

she was asked to do”. The fees free

scholarships are offered in a number of

programmes at both Whitireia and WelTec.

is a fees free

initiative that provides Māori and

Pasifika people with pre-trades

training.

Azaria- Lily Felagai with her impressive award

Cook Islands Language Week sports event

Maori & Pacific Trades Training students at Sports Challenge, WelTec

8

Catch Up with CHRIS

Whitireia LIFE

Warm Pacific Greetings to you all!

It’s been a wonderfully busy few months

at Whitireia for Pasifika activities.

The number of events and activities

associated with the language weeks has

been fantastic. I have enjoyed being

involved in a number of these events and

the talent and interest of staff and

students – Pasifika, Māori and Palagi, has

been great to see. My sincere thanks to

all those involved in organising these

events which grow every year. I hope that

2017 is proving to be a satisfying and

successful year for all our Whitireia

Pasifika students. I know that this time of

year can be tough with exams looming, but

I encourage you all to stay strong.

Remember that your tutors and other staff

of Whitireia are here to help you succeed,

so please reach out for support when you

need it. I am sure that your friends, families

and communities are playing an important

role in supporting you too.

My very best wishes to you all for the

remainder of 2017.

Chris Gosling

Chief Executive

Helen Kisona, Veronica Vaovasa & Windy Sione at the APSTE fono Margaret Aue during Samoa Language Week

Donut making at Mohuia Campus for Cook Islands Language Week Marama Phillips and Ana Simmons enjoy the APSTE conference