Lita Mavaia, Emerging Stylist Level 4

student, had the chance to work at

New Zealand Fashion Week this year.

She lead a team of Seville's Emerging

Stylist students from Auckland (PTP) and

at times was completely left in charge of

mentoring students in the same level of

study as herself. This is the first time one

of our Hairdressing students has been to

such a big event in the history of

WelTec/ Te Auaha. Lita also volunteered

to work at Miramoda fashion show this

year with Wellingtonian of the year

Hairdresser and Makeup artist Warren

Dion-Smith. Warren is the head of Hair &

Makeup with NZ film and Weta movies.

These opportunities have seen Lita grow

from strength to strength, giving her the

experience, industry knowledge and

connections to help her in the future.

Fakaalofa lahi atu

Warm greetings & welcome to

this issue of Pasifika PRIDE;

our Pacific Success newsletter.

In it you will find a snapshot of

Pacific related happenings this

year. Well done to students

who have completed their

studies. We are proud of our

Pacific students success,

whether graduating or returning

in the new year.

Merry Christmas to you, your

family and community.

May the new year bring you all

peace & happiness.

Have a great Christmas, stay

safe & happy Twenty 20!

Kia Monuina

Leisha Williams

Backstage at New Zealand Fashion Week

Finishing touches before fashion runway

Emerging TALENT

2

The maintenance of Pacific languages

motivated the celebration of Pacific

language weeks this year.

An institution wide approach across

Whitireia & WelTec encouraged use of

Pacific languages by staff & the student

population during each week.

Seven Pacific Languages were during

the year: Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga,

Fijian, Tuvalu, Niue & Tokelau.

Students and staff across WelTec and

Whitireia enjoyed an array of

celebrations including music, laughter

and food. Each Pacific Language week

started with a Flag raising ceremony at

Whitireia campus, involving our Pacific

communities. Members of our Pacific

community and students led a variety of

language week activities.

A highlight was the “Cry of Stolen

People” art installation that remembers the

history and impact of black birding on

Tokelau language, culture and

traditions. The event was the brainchild of

Whitireia Pacific artists in residence

Moses Viliamu, Jack Kirifi & Zac Mateo.

Pacific Language Weeks strive to maintain

and promote heritage languages.

Printmaking workshop celebrating Niue hiapo (tapa) Flag raising ceremony for Fijian Language Week

Members of the Tongan Community

PACIFIC

LANGUAGE

WEEKS 2019

Samoa Language Week:

26 May– 1 June

Cook Islands Language

Week: 4– 10 August

Tonga Language Week:

1– 7 September

Te Wiki o Te Reo:

9- 15 September

Tuvalu Language Week:

29 September– 5 October

Fijian Language Week:

6- 12 October

Niue Language Week:

13- 19 October

Tokelau Language Week:

25 October– 2 November

Lots of smiles at Gagana Tokelau celebrations

3

CELEBRATING

A series of Pacific language week videos

were produced this year for sharing via

social media. The videos showcased five

of the annual Pacific language weeks:

Tonga, Tuvalu, Fjian, Niue & Tokelau.

Pacific student volunteers fronted the

videos sharing basic greetings and

common vocabulary. This experience

was fun for students, involving the use of

sound & camera work. The out takes are

classic.

The videos were well received by students

and the wider Pacific communities, near &

far. A highlight of the videos was the

promotion of our languages not just

amongst Pacific communities but more

widely.

EYE ON IT

Current Industry

Ako Ake is a dedicated study

space for Pacific & Maori

students. The room is located at

Porirua Campus. Students can

access the room until 11pm

during the week, while weekend

hours are until 6pm by swipe

card. The offices of the

Pasifika & Maori Engagement

Advisors are next door. The

study space allows students to

engage in study in a family

friendly environment.

Pasifika Centre at Petone

Campus provides a friendly and

welcoming place to study,

socialise, or get advice and

support. It opens Monday to

Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm.

Come down and meet the

Pasifika Engagement Advisor

who is located on site.

Pacific languages

Leena Radhik, Sala Eastwood & Priyanka Naidu

Preserving Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue

Filming of video for Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga

The beauty of Vaiaso o te 'Gana Tuvalu

Sharing of gagana Tokelau

4

THROW Back Twenty19

Arquette Smith celebrates his success with family

Bachelor of Nursing Pacific Year 1 students at the Fakamavae

Filming of Tuvalu Language Week video Combined WelTec & Whitireia netball team: UTSNZ netball championship

Tonga student community during Tonga Language Week

5

Pacific Community Liaison is

responsible for engaging

with & developing strong

links with our Pacific

communities.

The team liaises with our

diverse Pacific communities:

Samoa, Tonga, Cook

Islands, Tokelau, Fiji, Niue,

Tuvalu & other Pacific

people. This includes the

promotion of tertiary

education to secondary

school Pacific students, their

parents, family and

communities. The work falls

under the Pacific Strategy

team that supports Pacific

success through

strengthening academic

delivery, stakeholder

relationships and

staff capacity.

Fakamavae– a celebration to mark

students completing the Bachelor of

Nursing Pacific programme.

Annual farewell events were held for

those finishing their nursing study at

Whitireia. Students from the Bachelor

of Nursing Pacific and other Bachelor

of Nursing programmes were

celebrated after sitting their State Final

Exams for Nursing Registration.

Bachelor of Nursing Pacific Year 1 & 2

students organised the event to

recognise their peers.

Family, friends and the wider

community attended to congratulate

students on their achievements. The event

was a celebration of Pacific success, with

items, gifting and overflowing lei & flowers.

Students reflected on their three year

journey; both good and challenging times.

The unconditional love and support of family

members was acknowledged including the

sacrifices that were made.

Tutors were thanked and graduating

students also remembered those that had

started with them but not completed the

journey. A formal graduation will be held in

March for those achieving a Degree,

Diploma & Post graduate qualification.

PROUD PACIFIC NURSES

Thanking important support crew Monique Meads & Waitangi Leota

Celebrating with proud aiga

6

Professional Development

GirlBoss Success

TupuToa

Internship programme

TupuToa is an innovative

internship programme creating

pathways for Māori and Pasifika

students into careers in the

corporate and professional

sectors. Their vision is to build

strong and resilient Māori and

Pasifika business leaders growing

a better Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Students studying a bachelor’s

degree or higher, work full time

over the summer break, building

towards a career in the

corporate, community or

government sector.

facebook.com/ Whitireia Pacific Success

established when she was just 13.

Recently, they gained huge publicity

when their rendition of the National

Anthem gained 1 million Facebook views.

“To be chosen as a winner has truly

warmed my heart and has inspired me to

continue to create, share, and love the

beauty that is music. To be amongst you

all and to connect with New Zealand's

leading women is more than I could ever

ask for." Rosetta shared at the Awards

ceremony.

Photo Credit: GirlBoss Awards

Rosetta Lopa is the proud recipient of

the highly profiled GirlBoss Awards.

The Te Auaha student was part of a

nationwide search for trailblazing young

women (ages 11–18) who are defying

stereotypes and creating change in

their communities. The awards

celebrate inspiring young leaders,

facilitators, role models, and innovators.

Rosetta, who studies music at

Te Auaha won the Arts and Culture

Award. She is a founding member of

the all female singing group LeArt,

The Performing Arts ensemble in Tainan City, Taiwan

Industry Pasifika

TupuToa Intern Utah To’omaga– Hosking

Utah To’omaga– Hosking is one of a number of

Whitireia & WelTec students who have been

successful in achieving a TupuToa Internship.

The information technology student, has secured

an internship this summer at ANZ. Before starting

their internships, students gathered in Auckland

for a Noho Marae event. The overnight stay

allowed recipients to collaborate and connect in a

less formal environment. Interns were challenged

to identify their passions and fearlessly pursue

their goals. They were encouraged to remain

positive and optimistic in the face of adversity.

A leadership Wananga, will follow next year.

Rosetta Lopa with other recipients of the GirlBoss Awards

7

Petesa Maea and Sina Esera joined acclaimed

New Zealand dance company Black Grace on

their tour of North America in October &

November. They were part of a strong Whitireia

Performing Arts contingent that included

Isitolo Alesana and Tuaine Robati. Featuring

live music and singing, the tour showcased four

works, spanning the life of the iconic dance

company. The tour highlighted work that had

been choreographed with involvement from

Tuaine Robati, Artistic Director and Cook Island

tutor and Whitireia students and staff.

Tuaine travelled as Cultural Advisor on the first

part of the tour. Tutor Isitolo arranged and

performed the unique sound of the Pacific live

to the American audiences. Petesa made her

professional debut with Black Grace on the

USA tour. “Having the opportunity to work on a

professional level has been beyond belief and a

huge eye opener.” she shared. Sina added that

performing on famed stages in New York was a

highlight. “It was a dream come true.”

Whitireia Performing Arts returns to Porirua in

2020 after 10 years in Wellington city. A home

coming event will celebrate its return to its

Porirua roots early in the new year.

Photo Credit: Black Grace

The North American Tour 2019

of Black Grace had a strong

Whitireia Performing Arts

presence with student and

staff involvement at produc-

tion, performance and cultural

level.

Whitireia Performing Arts

Black Grace team and crew on stage at the epic The Joyce Theater

First show of tour at Shubert Theatre, Boch Center, Boston

Opening night at The Joyce Theater , NYC.

8

CATCH UP WITH CHRIS

Whitireia LIFE

Seasons greetings to all Pacific

students. 2019 has been an eventful

year as our institutions prepare for

RoVE (Reform of Vocational Education).

We continue to deliver to the unique

needs of all learners, including those

who have been traditionally

under-served, such as Pacific peoples.

Whitireia & WelTec have strong links to

our Pacific students which stems from

our community foundations.

The importance of retaining our Pacific

Languages in New Zealand was

recognised this year with institution wide

events and activities enjoyed by all -

Pasifika, Māori and Palagi.

A highlight was the production of Pacific

Language Week videos shared via social

media. My sincere thanks to all those

involved in this project. As we celebrate

the Christmas season we congratulate

students for achieving their academic

goals & wish you well in your plans for the

new year; returning, moving up or moving

on to new adventures. We are proud of

you all. Wishing you and your family an

enjoyable festive season and a safe &

Happy New Year

Chris Gosling

Chief Executive

Whitireia & WelTec

End of year celebrations Celebrating Niue Language week

Bachelor of Nursing Pacific (Year 2) enjoy Tokelau Language Week Evivi Ciriciwai at Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti flagrasing