Pacific community embraces new Ara strategy

_{Ara Executive Director Darren Mitchell addresses those gathered for the Pacific Strategy 2025-2030 launch}

A new team, a transformative new plan and a substantial new city campus base – there was much to celebrate as Pacific communities gathered at Ara Institute of Canterbury this week.

With community leaders, industry partners, employers, Ara graduates, executive, kaimahi (staff) and ākonga (students) gathered – Ara’s Pacific Strategy 2025-2030 was launched with prayer, song and words of hope and inspiration.

The strategy aims to create an environment where diverse Pacific learners, families and communities feel safe, valued and empowered to achieve their education aspirations.

Rev. Fitifiti Luatua, former Pacific student advisor at Ara, said the launch was very affirming and a positive step for Pacific communities. “It builds on what we’ve started and it’s clear that it won’t only be ongoing but expanding. It’s a good path,” he said.

18 months in the making, the strategy is rooted in the rich cultural heritage of diverse Pacific communities and ensures that Pacific voices are central to the provision of vocational education at Ara.

Associate Director – Pacific Success, Sua Tauti, said the plan aspires to see Pacific learners supported and celebrated and also create pathways for leadership, innovation, and growth.

“Through strengthened community engagement, tailored support systems and robust industry partnerships, we’ll continue to build a vibrant and inclusive educational landscape that honours Pacific values and uplifts future generations,” Tauti said.

_{Graduates Leon Haiu (Bachelor of Nursing) and Mere Dimuri (Diploma in Construction Management/Quantity Surveying) were invited guest speakers at the launch}

Tauti acknowledged the leadership, ākonga and kaimahi at Ara who’d contributed to the strategy and added that key voices from outside the institute played an important part. Among them were Ara’s Pacific Advisory Group, representatives from the Ministries of Education and for Pacific Peoples, Pacific Trades Training, industry partners, employers and most importantly, community leaders.

“I can’t emphasise enough how important your combined wisdom has been in this process - when you have a village with you, you’re able to do it together,” he said.

The Pacific Strategy is deeply rooted in the cultural values of diverse island nations including:

• Fakaalofa (Niue): Love and compassion
• Vanua (Fiji): Connection to land, family and heritage
• Te Gana (Tuvalu): Language and identity
• Oranga Vaerua (Cook Islands): Spirituality and wellbeing
• Takanga Enau Fohe (Tonga): Unity and collective strength
• Tautua (Samoa): Leadership through service

At its heart are five “Pillars of Success,” each rooted in Pacific cultural values. Tauti likened the strategy to a fale (traditional building), where values form the foundation and the pillars uphold the vision.

The pillars include:

• Pacific Cultural Capability – embedding identity and culture within Ara
• Pacific Partnerships – strengthening collective connections
• Digital Future Focus – navigating the evolving digital landscape
• Teaching and Learning – fostering education that reflects and uplifts Pacific learners
• Recruitment and Support – welcoming with purpose and supporting with heart

Explaining the Pacific Partnerships pillar in his address, Tauti said the vision was for partnerships to go beyond individual relationships.

“We need to foster deep, organisation-wide connections across Ara, strengthen ties with Pacific communities both locally and internationally, and nurture genuine relationships with mana whenua, grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” he said.

Toleafua Malu Tulia, Vaka Tautua regional manager (Canterbury and Otago) said the strategy will allow her team to assist Ara further in promoting the health and wellbeing of Pacific peoples.

“The strategy has a clear focus,” she said. “It was good to see what was presented and for us to look at what we can do to continue our help and support for learners in Canterbury.

Canterbury Fiji Community President Epeli Bogitini said Ara had “come a long way”.

“Ara has become a lighthouse in stormy weather for Pacific people who come with dreams and aspirations but maybe don’t know how to get to them. I would like to work with Ara to keep driving towards new opportunities,” he said.

Those gathered at the launch were invited to explore the new Pacific Community Hub in the heart of the City campus and contribute ideas for the best use of the space.

Rev Luatua was excited about the possibilities it held. “It’s a place where we can bring our communities in and they can get to the heart of Ara and understand it. I’m pleased to see it up and running.”

The strategy and hub represent Ara’s commitment to providing an environment where Pacific learners, families, staff, communities and industry partners can thrive.

“These measures position Ara as the “Pacific village” of the tertiary sector here,” Tauti said. “Where cultural richness and language are integrated into every aspect of the educational experience.”