Latest news with #Pasifika
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Men's mental health: Festival of Rugby League returning to Rotorua for second year
A rugby league event created to raise awareness about men's mental health will return to Rotorua for its second year. The inaugural League Legends event took place in October, when 21 former NRL and Kiwi players played three matches in support of Māori and Pasifika men's mental health. This year,
Scoop
13 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Milestone Moments: Profiling Pasifika Graduates
Article – RNZ For many Pacific Islanders, academic graduations are momentous familial moments. , RNZ Pacific multimedia journalist For many Pacific Islanders, academic graduations are momentous familial moments. Whether it's a high school, or university graduation, you'll often see entire families – mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, grandparents, siblings and cousins – gathering in full force to celebrate, and in classic Pacific fashion; with pride, leis, and traditional dress. In recent years, universities have seen more Māori and Pacific students not only graduating, but thriving at exceptional levels. RNZ Pacific spoke with a group of recent graduates who shared insights into their academic journeys: the challenges, highlights and hopes for the future. Tina Vao 'In 2023, I lost my 10-year-old son and, shortly after, my mother. Their deaths broke me. I lost the will to study and nearly gave up completely. But even in those dark moments, I remembered why I started this journey.' For Tongan-born mother of six, Tina Vao, the path to graduation has been steeped in unimaginable grief, resilience, and faith. In early 2024, following the loss of both her son and mother, Vao was involved in a life-threatening car crash. Despite it all, Vao crossed the stage this year, graduating from Massey University with a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours. 'I've always wanted my education to uplift others, not just myself,' she said. With the support of her whānau, her culture, and her faith, Vao said her graduation was more than just a celebration of academic achievement – it also helped her heal. 'It wasn't just about receiving a degree; it was about everything I had overcome to get there,' Vao said. 'My whānau were there in spirit, especially my late son and mother. My other children were there in person, and seeing them watch me graduate meant everything. 'This degree is a testimony of God's faithfulness, of resilience, and of the sacrifices made by my family for me to succeed.' Looking ahead, her focus remains on service. If she secures a scholarship, Vao hopes to return to Massey next year to begin postgraduate study, with an emphasis on food safety and nutrition for vulnerable populations, especially in the Pacific. Long-term, she wants to bridge science with real-world community needs. 'Perhaps even developing culturally safe food solutions, or leading education programmes in the Pacific region,' Vao said. Her experiences of hardship, healing, and perseverance have shaped the message she hopes to share with others. 'I want Pasifika, especially mothers, caregivers, and those facing hardship, to know that their dreams are valid. 'Our voices are needed in spaces like science, food innovation, and healthcare. Your background isn't a barrier – it's your superpower. 'Ask for help when you need it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. And most of all, remember why you started. 'For me, my 'why' was my children, and it kept me going through everything. You have something special to offer the world. Education can open doors, but your courage is what walks you through them.' Arama Tairea 'I seriously decided, what can I do with my life? I can finish my degree. I went back to finish that off, and six years later, I've picked up three degrees.' Arama Tairea has graduated with a Masters of Arts in religious studies. Tairea, who is Cook Island Māori, did not follow a conventional academic journey. 'I never got Level 2 in high school. My mum said I could drop out and work, or finish,' he said. 'So I finished, and didn't really know what to do with my life. I worked as a forklift driver, but a year later, I knew I wanted to do something else. So I went to uni.' While Tairea enrolled, his initial stint was short-lived. 'I wasn't as mature as I needed to be,' he said. 'After two years, I just felt like it wasn't working. So I left.' For the next decade, Tairea spent time between different jobs. In 2019, he was over it. 'I seriously decided, what can I do with my life? Well, I could finish my degree. I went back to finish that off, and six years later, I've picked up three degrees,' Tairea said. But the road wasn't easy. Tairea questioned whether he was making the right move. 'I looked at where all my friends were in life. I was older. Should I be going back?' he said. 'But I thought, I've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.' His undergrad included philosophy and religious studies. 'I wasn't brought up religious in the traditional sense,' he said. 'I always had this curiosity about why religion holds such a place in our culture, and why does that seem to be shifting?' Tairea's thesis looked at the evolving relationship between Cook Islands Māori identity and Christianity in Aotearoa. He spoke to people across the country, in their early 20s to their 70s, and asked them what religion meant to them, and how it intersected with culture. 'Traditionally, the church supported our culture. But as more of us move away from the church, it raises questions about culture,' he said. His research also became a personal journey. 'My master's was a journey of self-discovery. It helped me make sense of my own upbringing, of where I sit within my culture and faith.' Tairea regretted not taking Pacific studies earlier on in his academic career; however he remedied this during his honours year. 'I thought, being a Pacific person, I knew everything, but I didn't. There was so much more to learn.' While a PhD is on the horizon, for now, Tairea is focused on other goals. He's working in research ethics and is passionate about creating spaces where Pacific voices are heard and valued, particularly within academic and institutional settings. 'I think about my nieces and nephews, coming to the end of high school, figuring out what to do. If I can show them that there's no one right way to succeed, that our journeys can be messy and still matter, that's enough.' Tairea encouraged all Pasifika to find their passion and 'go hard'. 'I think my biggest mistake the first time was not asking for help. But that help is out there now, more than ever,' Tairea said. Josephine Ripley 'Don't make yourself whiter; make the room browner.' 'Don't make yourself whiter; make the room browner.' That was the advice from a prominent Pasifika judge that has stuck with Josephine Ripley; a call to resist assimilation and instead make room for representation. It's fitting, then, that Ripley, driven by justice from a young age, recently graduated from the University of Otago with first class honours in law and a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Island studies. 'It was one of the best weekends of my life. I felt overwhelmed by the significance of it,' she said. 'The moment was as much my family's as it was my own.' Now a law clerk at Buddle Findlay, a leading firm in Aotearoa, Ripley comes from a family of advocates. 'My parents have always role-modelled empathy, kindness, humility and honesty,' she said. 'I always had a strong awareness of how not everyone has the same chances in life, and injustices always bothered me. 'We don't all start on a level playing field, and being compassionate and empathetic is a key driver in understanding other people's issues and problems.' Her grandfather, a lawyer who dedicated nearly 70 years to serving his community, was a powerful example of what compassionate, community-focused law could look like. 'My grandfather was an amazing lawyer, who worked to give free advice to those who needed it, with integrity and kindness.' Alongside law, Otago's Pacific Island studies course gave Ripley a deeper connection to her culture. 'As a product of the Pacific diaspora, I wanted to learn more about my culture, and the beautiful Pacific region,' she said. Perhaps the most transformative part of university was finding community through PILSA (Pacific Islands Law Students' Association), and UOPISA (University of Otago Pacific Islands Law Students' Association), where she was deputy president. 'Being a part of these associations completely changed my experience as a Pacific student at Otago. 'I was nurtured and supported by them as a first and second year, and then able to give back as a senior student. It's so important to create safe spaces for Pacific students to really thrive.' A milestone in her academic journey was completing her dissertation, supervised by academic Jacinta Ruru and second-marked by Metiria Turei. 'I really admire both of these wāhine toa and the work they do, so it was a real privilege to be able to work with them.' Her dissertation, titled 'Tangata Moana for Tino Rangatiratanga', explores how Pacific peoples can support Māori aspirations for constitutional transformation. Looking ahead, Ripley hopes to complete her professional legal studies and be admitted to the bar by the end of 2025. Further study is also on the horizon. 'Long term I would definitely consider doing further postgraduate study. I'd love to do a master's in Pacific studies and I'm also really passionate about creative writing and it's something I want to pursue seriously.' Her passion for law remains focused on constitutional change and social justice. 'My dissertation really sparked a passion for me in terms of constitutional change in Aotearoa, so I'd love to do more work in this space too.' Saki Baleivanualala 'I want to inspire Pacific community members to pursue education…and contribute to their communities.' Saki Baleivanualala has graduated with a doctorate in philosophy in microbiology from the University of Otago. Leaving behind the warmth of his tropical homeland, Baleivanualala found himself facing an entirely different challenge when he moved to Dunedin. Not academic rigor, necessarily, but a colder climate. 'I mean, I left Fiji, a very tropical island, and came to Dunedin, a very cold place. So that was hard,' Baleivanualala laughed. Despite the climate challenge, Baleivanualala arrived in Dunedin with a mission: to tackle a pressing health issue affecting the Fjiian region, antibiotic resistance. He has firsthand experience with superbugs and was concerned by what he saw. 'I've worked in various hospitals in Fjii, and saw lots of people being affected by antibiotic resistance, which is a growing thing there. That's why I wanted to continue my research on what the main problem is. 'Why is it so common? Why is it so popular in Fiji? I suspect it is throughout other Pacific island countries as well. That's why I wanted to pursue this study.' With a strong foundation in medicine from Fiji National University and a master's degree in infectious diseases from Australia, his PhD in microbiology at the University of Otago was driven by an ongoing commitment to all Pacific communities. 'We have seen that the Pacific community have been this proportionally affected in terms of health status. I want to bring down that curve. So, if we stop this in the islands, we are saving the Pacific community here in New Zealand as well,' Baleivanualala said. His PhD journey resulted in a major academic milestone: the publication of three peer-reviewed papers directly from his thesis, and an additional paper on mycobacterium tuberculosis. 'That was a huge achievement for me, coming from a small island and having my first academic paper published, then more as I studied. It took a lot of time to research, and figure things out.' Baleivanualala said that certain aspects of the work, like DNA analysis and bioinformatics, were particularly challenging due to their novelty. Support from his supervisors and the University of Otago made it manageable. 'The university environment here is very supportive, not just academically, but also the wider Dunedin community. After a few months, I realised it wasn't so lonely being away from home.' Graduation was an emotional occasion for Baleivanualala, who was joined by his wife and celebrated by the local Fijian community and church groups in Dunedin. 'My wife has always been so supportive of me, all throughout my academic career. The Fijian community here, they've been so supportive, too. Everybody hosted me after the graduation – we had a huge party.' Most importantly, Baleivanualala wanted people to know that this milestone was about giving back. 'I told everyone that this degree isn't just mine, it's for them – for the communities that supported me, and for the people I'm researching for.' Baleivanualala is now training others in Fiji to build local capacity and help set up a genome sequencing facility in Fjii, which he said is critical for early disease detection and prevention in the Pacific. 'If we can detect antibiotic resistance or emerging diseases early in Fiji, we can protect the entire Pacific community and even countries beyond,' he said. Baleivanualala said his message for others is clear. Pursue education and uplift your community. 'I hope my journey inspires others, young and older people, that education can happen at any stage. It doesn't stop – and how we use it, makes such a difference.' Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds 'I focused a lot on tapa; how it binds communities, keeps us safe, preserves stories, and as a form of healing.' From Ra'iatea to Norfolk Island, from rural Australia to Pōneke, Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds journeyed across oceans before landing at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. A proud Tahitian and Norfolk Islander, Fa'ara-Reynolds has completed her Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Studies and Cultural Anthropology, where she now plans to pursue a master's in creative writing. Prior to Pōneke, Fa'ara-Reynolds was living in a small, rural Australian town of 1,000 people. There was one Fijian student at her school; otherwise, Pasifika were hard to come by. By the time university came around, Fa'ara-Reynolds was 'over the small-town Australian life'. 'I was in dire need of connection and community,' she said. 'I wasn't ready to go back to Tahiti, but Wellington felt like a step towards home. When I arrived in Wellington, there was a natural homeliness. I just knew I was in the right place.' During her time at university, Fa'ara Reynolds has been a force, stepping into an accumulation of roles as a Pacific studies tutor, researcher, and writer. She wrote for the student magazine, Salient, which included a celebrated piece about Pacific studies. While on that topic, she rejected the notion of Pacific studies being a 'useless' arts subject. 'It's helped me find my place in this world, and was a guiding light for other students, too,' she said. Fa'ara-Reynolds added that her mother, Pacific academic Dr Pauline Reynolds, continues to be a source of inspiration. 'A lot of mum's mahi was around reclaiming and rewriting the history of our tupuna wāhine, rewriting the story of the bounty, the story of Norfolk Islands – so we always had discussions on decolonisation. It was a really present thing in our home,' she said. 'Mum also makes tapa, so I grew up making tapa, too.' In her last two years of study, Fa'ara Reynolds honed in on her knowledge. 'I focused how tapa binds communities, keeps us safe, preserves stories, and as a form of healing. I also focused on the impacts of colonialism and nuclear testing,' Fa'ara-Reynolds said. She now has many lessons under her belt following university. 'Have faith. I have this blind faith in my ancestors and gods, that if they could endure what they did, I can endure this journey. I guess university reinforced that – the power in these stories. 'Sometimes, I think it's easy to forget that – especially in very white settings – but in contrast to that, us Pacific people are so valuable in university settings… so there must be more. More of our stories, our lineage, our knowledge. We contribute so powerfully.'
Scoop
16 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Milestone Moments: Profiling Pasifika Graduates
Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific multimedia journalist For many Pacific Islanders, academic graduations are momentous familial moments. Whether it's a high school, or university graduation, you'll often see entire families - mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, grandparents, siblings and cousins - gathering in full force to celebrate, and in classic Pacific fashion; with pride, leis, and traditional dress. In recent years, universities have seen more Māori and Pacific students not only graduating, but thriving at exceptional levels. RNZ Pacific spoke with a group of recent graduates who shared insights into their academic journeys: the challenges, highlights and hopes for the future. Tina Vao "In 2023, I lost my 10-year-old son and, shortly after, my mother. Their deaths broke me. I lost the will to study and nearly gave up completely. But even in those dark moments, I remembered why I started this journey." For Tongan-born mother of six, Tina Vao, the path to graduation has been steeped in unimaginable grief, resilience, and faith. In early 2024, following the loss of both her son and mother, Vao was involved in a life-threatening car crash. Despite it all, Vao crossed the stage this year, graduating from Massey University with a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours. "I've always wanted my education to uplift others, not just myself," she said. With the support of her whānau, her culture, and her faith, Vao said her graduation was more than just a celebration of academic achievement - it also helped her heal. "It wasn't just about receiving a degree; it was about everything I had overcome to get there," Vao said. "My whānau were there in spirit, especially my late son and mother. My other children were there in person, and seeing them watch me graduate meant everything. "This degree is a testimony of God's faithfulness, of resilience, and of the sacrifices made by my family for me to succeed." Looking ahead, her focus remains on service. If she secures a scholarship, Vao hopes to return to Massey next year to begin postgraduate study, with an emphasis on food safety and nutrition for vulnerable populations, especially in the Pacific. Long-term, she wants to bridge science with real-world community needs. "Perhaps even developing culturally safe food solutions, or leading education programmes in the Pacific region," Vao said. Her experiences of hardship, healing, and perseverance have shaped the message she hopes to share with others. "I want Pasifika, especially mothers, caregivers, and those facing hardship, to know that their dreams are valid. "Our voices are needed in spaces like science, food innovation, and healthcare. Your background isn't a barrier - it's your superpower. "Ask for help when you need it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. And most of all, remember why you started. "For me, my 'why' was my children, and it kept me going through everything. You have something special to offer the world. Education can open doors, but your courage is what walks you through them." Arama Tairea "I seriously decided, what can I do with my life? I can finish my degree. I went back to finish that off, and six years later, I've picked up three degrees." Arama Tairea has graduated with a Masters of Arts in religious studies. Tairea, who is Cook Island Māori, did not follow a conventional academic journey. "I never got Level 2 in high school. My mum said I could drop out and work, or finish," he said. "So I finished, and didn't really know what to do with my life. I worked as a forklift driver, but a year later, I knew I wanted to do something else. So I went to uni." While Tairea enrolled, his initial stint was short-lived. "I wasn't as mature as I needed to be," he said. "After two years, I just felt like it wasn't working. So I left." For the next decade, Tairea spent time between different jobs. In 2019, he was over it. "I seriously decided, what can I do with my life? Well, I could finish my degree. I went back to finish that off, and six years later, I've picked up three degrees," Tairea said. But the road wasn't easy. Tairea questioned whether he was making the right move. "I looked at where all my friends were in life. I was older. Should I be going back?" he said. "But I thought, I've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain." His undergrad included philosophy and religious studies. "I wasn't brought up religious in the traditional sense," he said. "I always had this curiosity about why religion holds such a place in our culture, and why does that seem to be shifting?" Tairea's thesis looked at the evolving relationship between Cook Islands Māori identity and Christianity in Aotearoa. He spoke to people across the country, in their early 20s to their 70s, and asked them what religion meant to them, and how it intersected with culture. "Traditionally, the church supported our culture. But as more of us move away from the church, it raises questions about culture," he said. His research also became a personal journey. "My master's was a journey of self-discovery. It helped me make sense of my own upbringing, of where I sit within my culture and faith." Tairea regretted not taking Pacific studies earlier on in his academic career; however he remedied this during his honours year. "I thought, being a Pacific person, I knew everything, but I didn't. There was so much more to learn." While a PhD is on the horizon, for now, Tairea is focused on other goals. He's working in research ethics and is passionate about creating spaces where Pacific voices are heard and valued, particularly within academic and institutional settings. "I think about my nieces and nephews, coming to the end of high school, figuring out what to do. If I can show them that there's no one right way to succeed, that our journeys can be messy and still matter, that's enough." Tairea encouraged all Pasifika to find their passion and "go hard". "I think my biggest mistake the first time was not asking for help. But that help is out there now, more than ever," Tairea said. Josephine Ripley "Don't make yourself whiter; make the room browner." "Don't make yourself whiter; make the room browner." That was the advice from a prominent Pasifika judge that has stuck with Josephine Ripley; a call to resist assimilation and instead make room for representation. It's fitting, then, that Ripley, driven by justice from a young age, recently graduated from the University of Otago with first class honours in law and a Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Island studies. "It was one of the best weekends of my life. I felt overwhelmed by the significance of it," she said. "The moment was as much my family's as it was my own." Now a law clerk at Buddle Findlay, a leading firm in Aotearoa, Ripley comes from a family of advocates. "My parents have always role-modelled empathy, kindness, humility and honesty," she said. "I always had a strong awareness of how not everyone has the same chances in life, and injustices always bothered me. "We don't all start on a level playing field, and being compassionate and empathetic is a key driver in understanding other people's issues and problems." Her grandfather, a lawyer who dedicated nearly 70 years to serving his community, was a powerful example of what compassionate, community-focused law could look like. "My grandfather was an amazing lawyer, who worked to give free advice to those who needed it, with integrity and kindness." Alongside law, Otago's Pacific Island studies course gave Ripley a deeper connection to her culture. "As a product of the Pacific diaspora, I wanted to learn more about my culture, and the beautiful Pacific region," she said. Perhaps the most transformative part of university was finding community through PILSA (Pacific Islands Law Students' Association), and UOPISA (University of Otago Pacific Islands Law Students' Association), where she was deputy president. "Being a part of these associations completely changed my experience as a Pacific student at Otago. "I was nurtured and supported by them as a first and second year, and then able to give back as a senior student. It's so important to create safe spaces for Pacific students to really thrive." A milestone in her academic journey was completing her dissertation, supervised by academic Jacinta Ruru and second-marked by Metiria Turei. "I really admire both of these wāhine toa and the work they do, so it was a real privilege to be able to work with them." Her dissertation, titled 'Tangata Moana for Tino Rangatiratanga', explores how Pacific peoples can support Māori aspirations for constitutional transformation. Looking ahead, Ripley hopes to complete her professional legal studies and be admitted to the bar by the end of 2025. Further study is also on the horizon. "Long term I would definitely consider doing further postgraduate study. I'd love to do a master's in Pacific studies and I'm also really passionate about creative writing and it's something I want to pursue seriously." Her passion for law remains focused on constitutional change and social justice. "My dissertation really sparked a passion for me in terms of constitutional change in Aotearoa, so I'd love to do more work in this space too." Saki Baleivanualala "I want to inspire Pacific community members to pursue contribute to their communities." Saki Baleivanualala has graduated with a doctorate in philosophy in microbiology from the University of Otago. Leaving behind the warmth of his tropical homeland, Baleivanualala found himself facing an entirely different challenge when he moved to Dunedin. Not academic rigor, necessarily, but a colder climate. "I mean, I left Fiji, a very tropical island, and came to Dunedin, a very cold place. So that was hard," Baleivanualala laughed. Despite the climate challenge, Baleivanualala arrived in Dunedin with a mission: to tackle a pressing health issue affecting the Fjiian region, antibiotic resistance. He has firsthand experience with superbugs and was concerned by what he saw. "I've worked in various hospitals in Fjii, and saw lots of people being affected by antibiotic resistance, which is a growing thing there. That's why I wanted to continue my research on what the main problem is. "Why is it so common? Why is it so popular in Fiji? I suspect it is throughout other Pacific island countries as well. That's why I wanted to pursue this study." With a strong foundation in medicine from Fiji National University and a master's degree in infectious diseases from Australia, his PhD in microbiology at the University of Otago was driven by an ongoing commitment to all Pacific communities. "We have seen that the Pacific community have been this proportionally affected in terms of health status. I want to bring down that curve. So, if we stop this in the islands, we are saving the Pacific community here in New Zealand as well," Baleivanualala said. His PhD journey resulted in a major academic milestone: the publication of three peer-reviewed papers directly from his thesis, and an additional paper on mycobacterium tuberculosis. "That was a huge achievement for me, coming from a small island and having my first academic paper published, then more as I studied. It took a lot of time to research, and figure things out." Baleivanualala said that certain aspects of the work, like DNA analysis and bioinformatics, were particularly challenging due to their novelty. Support from his supervisors and the University of Otago made it manageable. "The university environment here is very supportive, not just academically, but also the wider Dunedin community. After a few months, I realised it wasn't so lonely being away from home." Graduation was an emotional occasion for Baleivanualala, who was joined by his wife and celebrated by the local Fijian community and church groups in Dunedin. "My wife has always been so supportive of me, all throughout my academic career. The Fijian community here, they've been so supportive, too. Everybody hosted me after the graduation - we had a huge party." Most importantly, Baleivanualala wanted people to know that this milestone was about giving back. "I told everyone that this degree isn't just mine, it's for them - for the communities that supported me, and for the people I'm researching for." Baleivanualala is now training others in Fiji to build local capacity and help set up a genome sequencing facility in Fjii, which he said is critical for early disease detection and prevention in the Pacific. "If we can detect antibiotic resistance or emerging diseases early in Fiji, we can protect the entire Pacific community and even countries beyond," he said. Baleivanualala said his message for others is clear. Pursue education and uplift your community. "I hope my journey inspires others, young and older people, that education can happen at any stage. It doesn't stop - and how we use it, makes such a difference." Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds "I focused a lot on tapa; how it binds communities, keeps us safe, preserves stories, and as a form of healing." From Ra'iatea to Norfolk Island, from rural Australia to Pōneke, Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds journeyed across oceans before landing at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. A proud Tahitian and Norfolk Islander, Fa'ara-Reynolds has completed her Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Studies and Cultural Anthropology, where she now plans to pursue a master's in creative writing. Prior to Pōneke, Fa'ara-Reynolds was living in a small, rural Australian town of 1,000 people. There was one Fijian student at her school; otherwise, Pasifika were hard to come by. By the time university came around, Fa'ara-Reynolds was "over the small-town Australian life". "I was in dire need of connection and community," she said. "I wasn't ready to go back to Tahiti, but Wellington felt like a step towards home. When I arrived in Wellington, there was a natural homeliness. I just knew I was in the right place." During her time at university, Fa'ara Reynolds has been a force, stepping into an accumulation of roles as a Pacific studies tutor, researcher, and writer. She wrote for the student magazine, Salient, which included a celebrated piece about Pacific studies. While on that topic, she rejected the notion of Pacific studies being a 'useless' arts subject. "It's helped me find my place in this world, and was a guiding light for other students, too," she said. Fa'ara-Reynolds added that her mother, Pacific academic Dr Pauline Reynolds, continues to be a source of inspiration. "A lot of mum's mahi was around reclaiming and rewriting the history of our tupuna wāhine, rewriting the story of the bounty, the story of Norfolk Islands - so we always had discussions on decolonisation. It was a really present thing in our home," she said. "Mum also makes tapa, so I grew up making tapa, too." In her last two years of study, Fa'ara Reynolds honed in on her knowledge. "I focused how tapa binds communities, keeps us safe, preserves stories, and as a form of healing. I also focused on the impacts of colonialism and nuclear testing," Fa'ara-Reynolds said. She now has many lessons under her belt following university. "Have faith. I have this blind faith in my ancestors and gods, that if they could endure what they did, I can endure this journey. I guess university reinforced that - the power in these stories. "Sometimes, I think it's easy to forget that - especially in very white settings - but in contrast to that, us Pacific people are so valuable in university settings... so there must be more. More of our stories, our lineage, our knowledge. We contribute so powerfully."
Scoop
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Ode To Ōtara: A Symphony Of Hope, Culture And Call For Support
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' was written centuries ago, but this week it became a powerful celebration of unity through music, bringing together youth as they rehearsed for an upcoming concert with the Auckland Philharmonia and the Sāmoan music education initiative, Sol Fa. Dozens of young musicians performed 'Ode to Joy' at a Sistema Aotearoa rehearsal, welcoming Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith to Ōtara's Music and Arts Centre on Tuesday. The rehearsal was part of the lead-up to their annual 'Pese! Fasi! Pūoro!' concert and provided Goldsmith with insight into the talent, discipline, and pride of South Auckland. However, when asked about increasing government investment in community arts, the minister was cautious. 'It's amazing to be out here and to see the smiling little faces as they're exposed to the wonderful world of music,' Goldsmith says. 'There are few greater things than being part of a group making music together. 'We can't walk in with a chequebook and throw money around. We're maintaining arts funding in a very tough environment, and we're encouraging agencies to invest widely, from professionals to grassroots groups like this.' Sistema Aotearoa, which partners with over 60 South Auckland schools to provide free orchestral education, is widely celebrated for its impact on tamariki. But board member Tasha Hohaia says the programme's success has been achieved despite limited resources. 'We make magic happen with the little we have. And with just a little bit more, we could reach more,' Hohaia says. 'It's critical to have Māori and Pasifika whānau supported in classical music. We have so much to offer the world.' Iain Rea, General Manager for Sistema Aotearoa, says the programme goes beyond music education. 'Sistema Aotearoa is much more than a music programme, it's also about community development and the programme has been going for almost 15 years. It's hugely supported by the community, it's as much about community building as it is about music.' One example is Reece Ferrer, 19, who joined Sistema Aotearoa as a child and is now a tutor. 'I joined when I was five, so that was back in 2013. I currently do midwifery at AUT, but I've been with Sistema basically for 14 years. Sistema to me is much more than a music programme. 'It helped me build my social skills and helped me connect with the community in Aotearoa.' Ferrer, who learned the violin and flute, has forged connections with fellow students through Sistema Aotearoa, and is now giving back to her community as a young adult. For parents like Terry Filipo, whose son plays the violin, the change is deeply personal. Filipo's son is a Year Four student at Flatbush School, and she hopes he will gain discipline and self-belief from the programme. Filipo says the programme exposes children like her son to new spaces. 'I look at my son and see a future that's more open because of exposure to classical music. It's an investment, not just in music, but in how our kids see the world. 'It's a practice. Whether it's a sport or an instrument, you learn commitment, and that progress follows discipline. 'It's a type of cultural exchange, which is important not just musically and not just skill-wise but their perspective … it's allowing them to expand on their worldview even as young people.' Filipo stresses the need for government funding and support. 'It's extremely important … Without the funding and without the support that Aotearoa Sistema gets, children that come from certain areas … may not go to schools [with access to] this type of music or even this type of culture.' 'It is an investment, even for our music industry. We have so much to contribute … We don't support small, we support big.' Rene's son has participated in the Sistema Aotearoa programme for three years, starting in Year Two. He plays the cello, and Rene believes the opportunity might not have come without it. She says the programme teaches more than just music; it nurtures confidence and opens doors. She adds that the programme fosters engagement and uncovers hidden talents, strongly endorsing the initiative. 'I think without the awareness of the programme, it may not have been an opportunity that he would have pursued. 'I think it's very crucial, opening up their eyes to different opportunities, different disciplines. So it's not just about the musical ability, but it offers a wide range of, I guess, perspective and life lessons as well that they can carry through to other areas of their lives. 'It's much better to have our kids engaging in this kind of activity rather than on the couch and so forth.' William Kingi, Sistema Aotearoa's youth adviser, says the programme opens doors that would otherwise remain closed to rangatahi. 'Even though this community is under-resourced, we're culturally rich. Classical music allows our kids to participate in spaces that might feel foreign, but instead, they feel like they belong. 'Sistema helps level the playing field. Not a lot, but just enough to change a life.' That potential was visible during the rehearsal, as students beamed with pride while performing for their families and friends.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Study finds Māori, Pacific communities can reshape media narratives
Brown Buttabean Motivation founder Dave Letele. Photo: Stuff / David White A new study shows Māori and Pasifika community initiatives can use media stereotypes to create their own narrative. The University of Auckland study, 'Taking the mic: Māori and Pacific voices in the media' examined the success of Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM), New Zealand's largest community-based fitness and well-being organisation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the study's lead author Dr Sandra Smith, senior marketing lecturer at the University of Auckland, over time, and especially during lockdowns, BBM became "much more than just a bootcamp and how to eat healthy". "It became an extension of whānau and a safe space where support could be provided to members in need. This finding echoes the notion that Māori and Pacific people are likely to seek help from family and community rather than from formal health providers," she said. University of Auckland senior marketing lecturer Dr Sandra Smith says organisations working to assist Indigenous and diverse communities should take control of their narrative in the news rather than reacting to media coverage. Photo: Supplied / William Chea / University of Auckland Outlined in the report, Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa face entrenched socio-economic and health gaps, including lower life expectancy and higher obesity rates. "Māori have experienced socio-economic deprivation because of colonisation and racism, manifesting in their significantly reduced life expectancy compared to non-Māori. Similarly, Pacific people also experience socio-economic and health inequities," the study said. "These health inequities were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring a consideration of the changing experiences and requirements of diverse communities." Smith said these disparities can be worsened by mainstream media that frame health as an individual's responsibility, rather than a societal one. "Media narratives can shape how others view Māori and Pacific people and how Māori and Pacific people view themselves," Smith said, noting past decades of biased coverage. "So, we were interested in whether the media was actually reflecting the community in an accurate way, in a truthful way, or in a biased way." Pre-COVID, the study found that news media themes were consistently in line with high attendance at BBM's bootcamp. However, COVID-19 created different issues for the community and BBM adapted to the new environment and focused on new function programmes in response. Photo: Screenshot / Graph / University of Auckland Using the kaupapa Māori framework, Te Whare Tapa Whā and Pacific framework Fonofale, the researchers analysed 102 media articles and interviews (27 before Covid-19, 75 during) via computer-assisted tools and member checks with BBM. They tracked shifts in top media themes, such as Letele, people, weight, life and boxing, food, health, lockdown, children, and community support. "Covid-19 created different issues for the community. BBM adapted… New themes such as food, lockdown and children are reflective of this adaptation," Smith said. "It became more than just a bootcamp, but a community [and] a whānau." The study found that as gyms shut due to lockdown restrictions, BBM's strong social-media presence which let it livestream workouts, share health information and organise food parcels - became a safe space for whānau. "That's where they reach out to each other. That's how they perhaps coped when people were being locked down, losing their jobs, not knowing where their next healthy meal was coming from. That was a place where people obviously used those channels to connect." Smith said from previous research in the health space, specific communities - including Māori and Pacific - will respond better to their own people when it comes to disseminating important information or getting advice. "They're a lot more trusting of people within their own community. So, I think BBM then became a very important conduit for perhaps some of the health messaging helping people to navigate through some of the confusions around the time of the pandemic." Despite some lingering stereotypes, media coverage of BBM was "reasonably friendly… and reasonably accurate", the researchers found. "It's good to see that the media was reasonably friendly towards this community and was reasonably accurate. It wasn't perfect, but that was one of the key findings," Smith said. Dave Letele in studio with Guyon Espiner. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Letele's ability to co-create his own media narrative was a stand out finding, Smith said. "Dave's own celebrity status… he was quite proactive and quite good at co-creating the narrative with the media rather than just having the media telling his story." Smith hopes this study will inspire other community-based groups to pick up the mic and tell their own stories. "I saw that Dave was very proactive in actually reaching out to the media, ensuring that the community's story was told accurately... I think communities can take a more proactive stance," she said. "Not necessarily waiting for mainstream media to create your narrative, but using the media channels that they're using themselves to tell their story." She said this specific study is a great way of learning about how Māori and Pacific people benefited from having a community like BBM. "I think we can all take something out of this story." The paper is published in the Pacific Health dialogue - a journal dedicated to health issues in the Pacific region - and is connected to a larger post-doctoral research project led by co-author, Dr Fa'asisila Savila (Pacific Health) and funded by the Health Research Council.
