Pacific Advisory Group (PAG)

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

I identify as Samoan European First generation NZ born. My parents are founders of our Pacific communities in Christchurch. Being the eighth of nine siblings I have been cosseted and connected to the Pacific and wider communities from both sides of my heritage. I like to inspire others to aspire for prosperity; spiritually, emotionally and physically.  

What is your professional background?

I have enjoyed 25 years in Education sector in Tertiary and Secondary. With qualification and expertise in; Technology, Administration, Marketing, Student Services, Project management and Careers Advisory. I continue to work in the areas of Youth, Education and Pacific Community development, engagement, advocacy, advisory and philanthropy.  

Currently I preside as Chair for CATE Careers & Transition Education Canterbury/Westland. With representation over the last 10 years on: CERA Community Forum, National Save the Children Board and Canterbury/Westland Regional Coordinator, Catholic Cathedral College Board of Trustees.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

I am Samoan and European, NZ born.  I see clearly bicultural perspectives and I like to negotiate pragmatic solutions for all. I am leading initiatives to engage Pacific peoples to be involved in voting, Politics and Candidacy. Mentoring and Networking with Pacific people to progress initiatives and ideas. I enjoy a lead role as Pacific Liaison for Catholic Cathedral College.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

I am the Samoan representative.

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

I am the youngest of four children, both my parents are Samoan. I grew up with a close relationship to my cousins and extended family. I am married with six children which keeps us very busy. The four younger children are still at home with us. I enjoy playing team sports and been activate with my children.

What is your professional background?

I have a background in sales which has shaped me in the way I talk with people and network with schools and organisations.  I have also worked within the youth industry for Pacific Trust and Youth town and have a strong connection with youth and young people.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

I enjoy seeing new opportunities created for our pacific community, whether it be events which bring our community together or on a more personal level seeing what options are available to personally grow our pacific peoples.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

Allied Ara Pasifika Staff Member

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

I am the 3rd daughter of Ray Pasene (a proud son of Alofi Toga, Niue) and Jeannie Strickland (formerly of Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu, Cooks Islands). Like many before them, my parents came to Aotearoa in pursuit of a "better life" and during their quest they found each other, married and had 7 children.

Unfortunately, my parents have both passed but not before instilling in me a sense of service, compassion for my fellow human, love of family and a heart of God.  These are all gifts that I have been able to nurture and develop in my role as a daughter, sister, mother and Nena.

What is your professional background?

As a Mama of 5 children, I decided to successfully pursue a Bachelor of Social Work whilst working in a full time position as the Pasifika Family Start Kaimahi, a position I enjoyed for 13 years.  I then left that employment to move to Niue where I had the privilege of caring for my Papa for 11 months.  I was also able to be immersed in my Niuean culture and traditions while gaining a better understanding of my family and self.

Returning to Aotearoa, I decided to move to Christchurch to be closer to family but also to support my twin teenagers through further education.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

I am presently employed as an Early Start Whanau Awhina which is an intensive home visiting service for whanau with newborn babies where difficult situations have the potential to negatively impact on the chances of children in care.  In my 3rd year in this position, I can call on a wealth of experiences and skills that I have developed over the years.  These include establishing and maintaining relationships across social and health providers, links in the Niuean community an understanding of inequities and how we can address them by improving social determinants for our community.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

I have seen the positive impact education has on an individual, their extended family and community.  I am honoured to be a part of a systems change to ensure ARA Institute is better able to meet the needs of Pasifika and other communities to achieve their dreams and aspirations. I am the Niuean Representative on the Pasifika Advisory Group.

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

I am a Tongan, I am married with 5 children, three girls and two boys and we are residing in Timaru. We moved here from Tonga in February 2005. Prior to that we lived in Japan for 5 years. My 3 older children are in different Universities and my 2 younger ones are in High School. I have a busy family with our children in different places for education and sports. Timaru is our home and it is a lovely place to raise up children, it’s big enough and small enough.

What is your professional background?

I am a Registered Social Worker working for Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children for five years. I am working full time between Oamaru and Timaru in the Youth Justice space. I have teaching background, I taught in Japan at Junior High School as an Assistant English Teacher for three years. I went back to Tonga and taught at the only International School, Ocean of Light Int’l School. After we moved here to Timaru I became a Teacher Aide at Timaru Boys High School then went on to Caregiving at the Rest Homes while doing my degree in Social Work at Otago University.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

I am the president of our Tongan Society South Canterbury Inc for 4 years now since we first started in 2016. Our group is growing in numbers and we hold a lot of events in Timaru and we also work closely with our kainga in Oamaru. We are focusing on our fanau and their wellbeing, to learn about their heritage, culture and values to strengthen their cultural identity which lead to them being more confident and resilient in life. I am also a trustee of our church and a youth leader. I am also an Executive Member of Aoraki Migrant Council.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

I am a representative for Oamaru, Timaru and Ashburton.

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

My father is a first-generation NZ born Samoan who met my mother who hails from Torere, Bay of Plenty (Ngāitai). I am half Samoan/Māori, the eldest of two girls and so seems fitting that myself and my husband have bought four beautiful daughters of our own into this world. I am a current student of Ara who has one final year long paper that stands between me and the completion of a Bachelor of Construction Management Degree - Quantity Surveying.

What is your professional background?

I have worked in all sorts of customer service related roles predominantly in tourism/hospitality which has been great as I have been to some pretty cool places and done unbelievable things while meeting amazing people along the way! Whilst this was great in my teens and early twenties, I still desired something more challenging, with plenty of room to grow…And so, my prayers were answered when I enrolled at Ara, then found out I was pregnant twice in my first two years of study LOL. Last year I was fortunate to be picked up in my first role in industry which provided sound insight into Canterbury’s construction industry. But juggling motherhood, study and work proved to great a challenge so have slowed down a bit to focus on motherhood and the completion of my studies.

However, growth and resilience will see me embrace as many opportunities as I can that come my way. Currently, I sit in the leadership team for Māori and Pasifika in Construction, I represent young quantity surveyors as an emerging professional committee member for the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors, and most recently elected PISA president 2020 (Pacific Island Students of Ara).

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

I enjoy the core values that both cultures bring such as family, love, respect etc. I have not maximized my connection with either of my ethnicities through my upbringing. As I get older I have realised the importance of understanding where I come from and who I represent. So I am able to journey with strength and purpose for all that have paved a way before me, whilst uplifting and imparting value where I can for our people also.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

PISA representative and student voice.

Sharing a table with exemplar Pasifika leaders means I get to learn by influence and take part in important discussions that shape the participation and success of our Pasifika students at Ara.

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

Malo le soifua! My name is Siatua Faletanoai Evalu. My parents moved here from Samoa in the early 70's. My fathers' villages in Samoa are Faleatiu and Taga, and my mother is from Apai, Manono tai. I was born and raised here in Otautahi and I am the second oldest of four brothers.

What is your professional background?

Most of my professional working life has been in the education sector, predominately in tertiary working with secondary school students, teachers, careers advisors as well as parents and community. My current role as the Pacific Education Coordinator at the Ministry of Education is responsible for Pacific education across the South Island.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

Food is the obvious choice! But other than that, what enjoy most is seeing our Pacific youth thrive and take pride in their individual cultures. I look forward to helping Ara Institute of Canterbury make decisions on making this institution a place that reflects our many and diverse cultures.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

Ministry of Education Representative

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

Ko Tapuae-o-uenuku te maunga
Ko Wairau te awa
Ko Tākitimu te waka
Ko Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ko Ngāi Tahu, Ko Ngāti Hāmoa ōku iwi
Ko Wikitoria Kurene tēnei, e mihi ana ki a koutou
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Kia ora, Talofa lava, I am of Samoan, Māori, Irish, and African descent and the second eldest
of four. My whānau are my rock, I love adventures, especially outdoors around the motu
when I get time to do so. I am passionate about people and love listening and learning
about people's experiences from all walks of life.

What is your professional background?

After six years of being in the workforce working in different areas such as retail, office
administration, and payroll, I have gone back to studies. I’m in my first year at Ara Institute
of Canterbury doing a bachelor's in applied sciences, specialising in Health Promotion. I
currently work part-time with the MIHI (Māori/ Indigenous Health Institute) mobile
vaccination team going around to different marae and organisations as part of the Covid-19
vaccine rollout 2021. I also currently sit on the Pacific Island Students of Ara executive team
as the Vice-president 2021.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

I love the beautiful warmth and energy that our people bring to any room, event, or
platform that we hold, and I believe there is so much more room for us to thrive and share
our stories. Although I do not speak either of my native tongues, I have been brought up to
love, respect, and serve as if the languages run through me and as I have grown older, I have
felt the pull to connect more to my cultures, my ancestors and the whenua, and I know that
is a journey for me, which I’m excited to be on. I feel privileged to be in this space to learn
from some amazing leaders and individuals within our communities.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

PISA/ Student voice representative.

Tell us a little bit about yourself/family?

Mālō e lelei, I’m Georgie, born and raised in Ōtautahi, of Tongan and Pālangi heritage. Most of my family are now living in Canberra, Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Waipounamu. I love spending time with my family and friends, getting involved in local community initiatives, wandering our beautiful landscapes and pedal power on my bike!

What is your professional background?

I have a background in literature, law and digital media, and have worked at Ara as Pacific Learning Advisor since 2017. Before that I supported Māori and Pacific students at the University of Otago, and Native American students at the University of Colorado Boulder.

What do you enjoy about your community/culture?

My passion is supporting students to succeed in education so they can increasingly action and inspire positive changes in their communities. I feel very humbled to work alongside our Pasifika students who enrich Ara life with their energy, innovation and integrity.

What role do you cover on the PAG?

As the Pacific academic staff rep I talanoa with Pacific tutors across Ara to bring their needs and desired to PAG.