fale news september 2012

FFAALLEE NEWSNEWS S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 2

Chris�ne Nurminen is an example of all that the Pasifika

Educa�on Centre (PEC) aims to achieve for Pacific Island

New Zealanders through educa�on. She is university-

qualified, fluent in her na�ve language (Tongan), under-

stands the importance of tradi�onal Pacific Island cul-

ture and values, and believes that Pacific can achieve

educa�onal success by being Pacific.

But she arrives with a fresh outlook: “I see PEC as being

the specialist in reviving, maintaining and transmi-ng

the wealth of Pacific languages that works for Pacific

people living in Aotearoa / New Zealand. I also see PEC

as a valued contributor to growing the talent, skills and

qualifica�ons of Pacific people.”

Chris�ne was born in Auckland and had a “very Tongan

upbringing”. As it is in many Pacific homes, she was en-

couraged to set a great example for her younger sib-

lings. She went to university and gained a Bachelor of

Arts majoring in Sociology and Educa�on. At 22, she

completed her Master of Arts (Hons) in Educa�on, with

a disserta�on on teaching of Tongan language and cul-

ture in a Tongan early childhood se-ng. She moved

from studying to research at both the School of Educa-

�on at Auckland University and Manukau Ins�tute of

Technology.

A6er a period in Japan

teaching, she returned to

New Zealand and a job as

policy analyst for the Min-

istry of Pacific Island

Affairs, based in Welling-

ton. At university, she had

never seen the applica-

�on of the research she

had been involved in. At

last, she found herself in

an environment that fo-

cused on ac�on. With

MPIA she gained an un-

derstanding of govern-

ment processes and collabora�on between social sec-

tors. She developed her skills further with the Depart-

ment of Labour, retaining a Pacific Islands community

focus on issues related to employment.

She then moved to Coun�es Manukau District Health

Board (CMDHB) as a programme manager, where she

led the development and implementa�on of healthy

lifestyles ini�a�ves for the Pacific Islands, Maori and...

PEC’s new leader arrives with traditional

values and a fresh outlook

Tofaeono Tanuvasa Tavale, QSM for services to education

PEC’s Samoan tutor and oratory specialist, Tofaeono

Tanuvasa Tavale recently received the Queen's Service

Medal, for services to educa�on. Tanuvasa has been

involved in the development of Samoan language and

culture educa�on programmes in New Zealand school

and university curriculums. Tanuvasa also taught the

Samoan language at the University of Auckland from

1992 to 1993 and has published numerous Samoan

textbooks. He was the writer and examiner of the first

Samoan language School Cer�ficate examina�on and

has since moderated subsequent secondary level exami-

na�ons. Tanuvasa was also instrumental in developing

the Samoan language curriculum used in schools and

recently completed the resources and study tools for

NCEA Samoan Language and Culture. Tanuvasa con�n-

ues to teach his popular Advanced Samoan Oratory

class every Friday night at Pasifika Educa�on Centre, as

he has done for the past several years.

Tanuvasa receives his medal from NZ Governor General, Lt Gen The

Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae (image courtesy of www.gg.govt.nz)

(continued on next page)

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...South Asian communi�es. Throughout this �me

Chris�ne also wrote Tongan children’s short stories that

were published by Learning Media.

While at CMDHB, she took maternity leave for the birth

of her first child. On her return, the ins�nct for change

fired. “Friends warned me not to take on a new job,

because I had a new baby. I told them that because I

had a new baby that was exactly why I should make a

change. I had to make the most of my poten�al, and be

a great role model for her.”

Chris�ne says she’s had a posi�ve reac�on to her suc-

cessful appointment. “People are saying to me - ‘hey, if

you can do it, then maybe I can!’. I am delighted and

humbled with that response, because we need more

Pacific people to step up in leadership. There is too

much pressure on too few Pacific Island leaders, who

are being asked to do too many things.”

She thinks that some second and third genera�ons of

New Zealand-born Pacific Islanders who have been un-

successful in school seek PEC as way of helping them

increase their educa�onal and economic opportuni�es.

While others seek PEC to help them re-connect and

strengthen �es with family and community. “In that

sense, what is good for Pacific living in New Zealand is

going to be good for all of New Zealand.”

Chris�ne does not underes�mate the challenges for a

non-government organisa�on such as PEC to maintain

trust, deliver value to its funder and stay connected to

its communi�es. The solu�ons PEC offers will need to

have rigour and be relevant to target New Zealand-born

Pacific Islanders, Pacific migrants, Pacific workers and

consumers who seek to engage with Pacific people as

part of their core business.

“PEC is well placed to be the lead in reviving our diverse

Pacific languages while at the same �me making a con-

tribu�on to Pacific achievement. With renewed connec-

�ons with communi�es, relevant resources and a com-

prehensive range of services – PEC can con�nue to be a

strong advocate for Pacific people to achieve educa�on-

al success.”

(continued from previous page)

Tongan Language Week, Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-

Tonga, was held from 1-8 September. Now into its se-

cond year, the week is an opportunity to celebrate the

Tongan Language and culture and promote the teach-

ing and learning of it.

With the arrival of new Chief Execu�ve Mrs Chris�ne

Nurminen, who is of Tongan ethnicity, coinciding with

the start of Tongan Language Week, PEC thought it

would be appropriate to begin Tongan Language Week,

and welcome Chris�ne into her role, with a tradi�onal

Kava Ceremony.

Special guests in aLendance included members of the

PEC Board Clyde Young, Panu Raea, Neville Wilson and

Tofaeono Tanuvasa Tavale, tutors Seumanutafa Konelio

Seumanutafa and Ota Tuaeu represen�ng Te Wananga

o Aotearoa and Reverend Taniela Napa’a.

The kava ceremony itself was largely officiated by stu-

dents of the Mt Roskill Tongan Intermediate level class,

having been groomed for their roles by tutors Lolohea

Tupouniua and ‘Alisi Katoanga. Later on they were

joined by the rest of their classmates to present a

mā’ulu’ulu, a seated Tongan tradi�onal dance.

Later in the week PEC also hosted a Tongan Day and

invited Dr Linitā Manu’atu, a Senior lecturer at Auck-

land University of Technology, to be a guest speaker.

Two specialists in Tongan handcra6s, Mele Ulufonua

Moala and Manu Finefeuiaki, were also invited to dis-

play their wares and demonstrate the art of folding

ngatu, Tongan for tapa cloth, for different occasions

such as funerals, weddings and birthdays.

In his thank you remarks, Ota, also a Cook Islands Lan-

guage tutor at PEC said “Language is being displayed in

the skills being shown us right now.” The importance of

the ta’ovala was also explained. A ta’ovala is a mat

worn around the waist for all formal occasions, much

like a suit and �e to the Western world. The wearing of

a ta’ovala adds value and meaning to it and every

ta’ovala ‘tells’ a story.

Dr Manu’atu’s speech was based on the theme of Tong-

an Language Week, “Fakakoloa ‘o Aotearoa”, meaning

“Enriching Aotearoa with Tongan Culture and Lan-

guage”. In it she spoke of the richness and importance

of Tongan Language and culture and that they formed

the founda�on of Tongan values. She encouraged Tong-

ans everywhere to live the values, to “show it in your

faces, in your language”. She also issued a challenge to

search for the koloa (cultural resources) within them-

selves, their household, their extended family, their

church, their community etc. and to use it to enrich

each other rather than compete against each other.

During the week PEC posted Tongan paloveape on their

Facebook page to promote these Tongan pearls of wis-

dom. One such proverb reads “Ala ‘i sia, ala ‘i kolonga”

which translates as “skillful at sia, skillful at kolonga”.

Tongan Pigeon hunters placed their traps on a mound

called the 'sia'. The 'kolonga' refers to the place where

the caught pigeons were cooked. The proverb infers

that those who were skilled at catching the pigeons

were also skilled at cooking them, meaning that skills

that we have in one area are transferable and can be

adapted to other contexts.

Tongan Language Week 2012

3

Parents As First Teachers The Parents As First Teachers (PAFT) program at PEC is

going well. I am enjoying working with my parents and

seeing them apply some of the things they are learning

to the raising and teaching of their children.

On Monday the 10th

to Wednesday the 12th

of Septem-

ber I aLended the PAFT Ongoing Training Hui which

was held at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington

On Tuesday morning they held a whakawhanaungatan-

ga session, which literally means “the making of rela-

�onships, each PAFT team was asked to introduce

themselves using a tohu, a symbol, or a logo that de-

scribed their team. I decided to use the fale logo of PEC

and describe to them that the fale represented our cen-

tre, that it is a place of learning and that the colours

represented different aspects of each Pacific na�on. I

also purposely dressed in my Niuean ouQit and colours

to give more meaning to my tohu and how it’s not just

a symbol on paper but that it can come to life through

us.

Later in the evening they held a “Bright Ideas” session.

This was an opportunity for each team to share some-

thing that they were really proud of. We could choose

something like a new ac�vity or new resources that we

had found to be successful with our parents. I was so

excited to share a picture booklet that I had created out

of a cardboard box. I got up to the front, turned around

to face the audience - and then realised there were 148

sets of eyes all focussed on me! However, knowing that

I had made the book myself and that I had much fun

and laughter using it with my families, that gave me

confidence to present my ‘bright idea’. Those two ses-

sions were the highlights for me – I was very proud to

represent my people.

The hui was a great opportunity to meet with other

PAFT workers from around New Zealand, some old ac-

quaintances and some new. I learned so much from

them. The informa�on we learnt in the workshops was

phenomenal. I went there with an empty kitbag and

have come back with one that is overflowing, one which

I know will be very helpful with my work.

It was a lot to cram into three days but well worth it. I

loved the feeling of hospitality and warmth that I felt

there. Although it was a training hui, it felt like a very

refreshing break for us PAFT workers. I look forward to

the next one and the new friends and ideas it will bring.

- by Beverley Manetoa

Clockwise from top le$

1) Ministry of Social Development PAFT Coordinator, RoseLa Iupeli,

Laughing Samoans funny man Tofiga Fepulea’I and Beverly Manetoa.

2) Beverly proudly showing off her “Bright Idea”

3) Jam �me with the PAFT ladies!

4

Adult Learners’ Week 2012 Adult Learners' Week/He Tangata Mātauranga is an

opportunity to celebrate the successes and achieve-

ments of everyone par�cipa�ng in Adult and Communi-

ty Educa�on (ACE).

On Wednesday 5th September, Coun�es Adult and

Community Educa�on held an awards ceremony to

honour some outstanding Adult learners and educa-

tors. PEC’s Samoan tutor Taupaū Olofā Iona received an

Excep�onal Adult Educator Award and current student

Leilua Lusia Pouniu received an Outstanding Adult

Learner Award.

Leilua Lusia Pouniu—Outstanding Adult Learner

When Leilua Leilua Pouniu first thought about enrolling

into our Level 2 Na�onal Cer�ficate in Compu�ng she

worried that not only did she know very liLle about

computers but that she might feel out of place as the

oldest person in the class. At the same �me she

thought what a great opportunity it was to enrol into a

free course and learn about “technology for young peo-

ple”.

Leilua was no stranger to educa�on having aLended

PEC’s Advanced Samoan Oratory class taught by Tofae-

ono Tanuvasa Tavale for many years already. Leilua be-

gan the Level 2 course and completed it, choosing to

con�nue on to the level 3 and 4 course which she also

completed. Where most of us might be sa�sfied with

that achievement, Luisa was not content to stop study-

ing and promptly enrolled into the Cer�ficate in Com-

pu�ng and Business Administra�on at Te Wananga o

Aotearoa where she is now. Leilua is truly an Outstand-

ing Adult Learner!

Taupaū Olofā Iona - Excep�onal Adult Educator

Taupaū Taupaū Iona joined the PEC Language team in

April 2011. Taupaū was a seasoned educator having

already spent 9 years as Deputy Principal at Samoa Col-

lege and is a staunch advocate of the Samoan Language

and culture. Since joining the team at PEC, Taupaū has

taught the Beginner and Intermediate Samoan lan-

guage classes and con�nues to do so. She has repre-

sented PEC as the Samoan representa�ve at several

events this year including presen�ng a workshop at the

ACE Aotearoa Maori and Pacific PD Hui Fono, pre-

sen�ng a 5-week Samoan Language program to staff of

the New Zealand Rugby League, and a workshop on

Samoan culture and protocols for the Interna�onal Re-

la�ons unit of the Auckland Council. Taupaū has just

completed a similar 10 week program with Auckland

District Health Board nurses and admin staff.

Taupaū was also the Cultural advisor for PEC’s commu-

nity event during Samoan Language Week. Her passion

for the language is such that her work with PEC has

generated interest from other organisa�ons wan�ng to

pursue Samoan programs of their own. When asked

where her passion comes her reply is simple: “Because I

am a Samoan and I love my language and culture and

would love to see others enjoy it.” Taupaū is truly an

Excep,onal Adult Educator!

Leilua, above, and Taupaū, below, are presented their

awards by the Guest Speaker at the Coun�es ACE

Awards Ceremony, Mr Sam Sefuiva, Principal Advisor

from the Human Rights Commission

5

Certificate in Pacific Nutrition A quick glance at the 2008-2009 New Zealand Adult Nu-

tri�on Survey shows the following results:

∗ Pacific people are less likely to eat breakfast daily

∗ Pacific people are more likely than non-Pacific people

to drink fizzy drinks at least 3 �mes a week

∗ Pacific females are more likely than non-Pacific fe-

males to eat fast foods more than 3 �mes a week

∗ Pacific people are more likely to be obese than non-

Pacific adults

The children’s version of the survey yielded similar re-

sults so it’s clear there is s�ll room for improvement

when it comes to Pacific people’s health. Don’t despair

though, the findings are not all grim, the survey also

uncovered some posi�ve findings:

∗ Pacific adults have higher levels of Selenium which

the body needs to keep our Immune system working

well. This is evidence that Pacific people have high

fish intake, in fact Pacific people eat more fresh and

frozen or canned fish and shellfish than their non-

Pacific counterparts.

∗ Pacific males are less likely to eat processed meat,

which is high in sodium, three or more �mes a week.

∗ Fruit consump�on was on the rise. Since the 1997

survey there was an increase in the number of males

that ate 2 or more fruit per day

Enter, the Heart Founda�on's Pacific Heartbeat Team.

The vision of the Pacific Heartbeat team is to improve

and make a difference to the heart health of Pacific peo-

ple and they work towards this by offering na�onal

smokefree awareness workshops, smoking cessa�on

and healthy ea�ng courses, health promo�on pro-

grammes and ac�vi�es, and resources in Pacific lan-

guages.

I had been on my own personal journey to beLer health

for just over a year so when I heard about the Pacific

Heartbeat team’s Cer�ficate in Pacific Nutri�on (CPN) I

quickly made plans to enrol into their July intake. I cur-

rently train with the “Big Boys” at Gene�cs Gym in Ma-

nukau 3 �mes a week and a6er each class we receive

instruc�on from our trainer that includes, among other

things, nutri�onal informa�on. I thought the knowledge

I could gain from the CPN course would complement

the training and learning I was ge-ng at Big Boys. I also

thought that I’d be able to bring back some knowledge

that would benefit and inform the work that we, at PEC,

do with Pacific communi�es.

On Day 1 of the course I met an amazing group of peo-

ple who were bound together by a common goal: to

improve the health of the Pacific communi�es they

served. They came from all sectors of the community

and from all walks of life: To name a few, there was

Chris�na, Katalina and Juanita who were community

nurses, Fi�, Cynthia and Sina were students and educa-

tors, Rozelle and Donna-Marie were fitness trainers, Sau

and Sam were funding coordinators for health and exer-

cise programs in Pacific churches and Homer, our sole

Asian male, looked a6er a community vegetable garden.

The teaching team, nutri�on trainers Takui Langi, Sue

Pirrit and Tony Schwalger, used an array of teaching

techniques that, firstly, ensured we were physically en-

gaged in the learning and secondly, the ac�vi�es provid-

ed us with learning experiences that would ‘s�ck’ in our

brains. I’m talking about rapping, role-playing, wri�ng

songs and poems, miming, drawing posters and much,

much more. I’ll never forget the �me my group had to

mime the word “cons�pa�on” for the group to guess –

that was hilarious. We also did group and individual

presenta�ons which we were all ini�ally nervous about

but in hindsight, they gave us valuable experience in

ge-ng up in front of an audience to talk about nutri-

�on.

One of my favourite ac�vi�es was what we dubbed

“The Masterchef Challenge”. Each group was to design

a menu that consisted of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to

feed a family of 6. The menu had to align to the NZ

Healthy Food and Nutri�on guidelines, which sets out

the types of food we should eat each day, in their cor-

rect amounts. We were given $25 and taken to Pak n

Save to purchase the ingredients and my group was glad

that it only took us 2 aLempts at the checkout a6er our

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first aLempt came to $25.30 – 30 cents over budget,

Argh!!

When we arrived back to the centre we were given an

hour to prepare all 3 meals. This all happened under the

watchful gaze of the trainers who were checking that

our cooking and prepara�on was being carried out in a

safe and hygienic way.

I had so much fun on the course. I met some wonderful

people and gained many insights into issues that deal

with Pacific health but there were 3 main points that I

took from the course:

∗ Healthy ea,ng does not have to be expensive. We

proved that with our Masterchef Challenge.

∗ Healthy ea,ng does not mean we have to stop ea,ng

our cultural foods. It means making small changes

and using healthy alterna�ves. We can s�ll use coco-

nut cream to make our palusami, just use the re-

duced fat version. We can s�ll use soya sauce to

make our chop suey , just use the reduced salt ver-

sion. We can all switch to margarine instead of

buLer. We can drink Coke Zero instead of regular

Coke.

∗ Healthy ea,ng starts with a change in mind-set and it

starts in our homes. It’s a lifestyle change. Children

need to develop healthy ea�ng and exercise habits

while they are young. They learn these habits from

their parents. They learn these in the home. If they

don’t, they’ll learn it from ‘somewhere’ else…and

Ronald McDonald will never say no to new ‘students’.

By Selwyn Tupou

Volunteering at PEC

Kia Ora and Talofa Lava!!! I am Lagi Frazer, 22 years of

age. I hail from the villages of Samusu, Vailoa Palauli

and Falealupo in Samoa.

I have just completed and gained my Na�onal Cer�fi-

cate in Compu�ng Level 2, and I have con�nued onto

the Na�onal Cer�ficate in Compu�ng Level 3 with Te

Wananga o Aotearoa. While studying and up-skilling

my knowledge in compu�ng, I was given an opportunity

to do some work experience as a Recep�onist at Pasifi-

ka Educa�on Centre, which I gladly accepted.

Since working here, I have gained valuable office work

experiences and more skills than I had known before. I

am very grateful for the opportunity given to me by

PEC. Not only that, I love serving and mee�ng my Pa-

cific people that come

in everyday to visit

Pasifika Educa�on

Centre.

I encourage those

who are unsure or

contempla�ng future

study, to make small

steps towards finding or star�ng a course, especially if it

is something you have always wanted to do. It will lead

to some great experiences in the future.

Thank you Pasifika Educa�on Centre for making me feel

welcome and part of the team.

-Lagi Frazer

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7

As a former New Zealand Police Officer I had the pleas-

ure to aLend both the powhiri and the pacific welcome

ceremonies to bring Soifuā Inspector Vitale Lafaele to

his new role as the new Area Commander, Coun�es-

Manukau South Police District. This is what was former-

ly known as the Papakura Police District.

Apia-born Soifuā is the first person of Samoan descent

to command a police district. His district stretches from

Manurewa in the north to Port Waikato in the south

and takes in the suburbs of Takanini, Papakura, Puke-

kohe, Tuakau, Pokeno and Waiuku.

I was invited to the powhiri and also to the pasifika wel-

come because, in 1986, I was the first person of Samoan

descent to be promoted to the rank of Inspector in the

New Zealand Police.

At the powhiri I was given the honour of si-ng on the

paepae with the Police dignitaries from Coun�es-

Manukau Police District, who themselves were being

welcomed on to the marae, so that they in turn could

welcome Soifuā who was brought to the area by a large

police con�ngent from the Waitematā Police District

where Soifuā had worked for a considerable period of

his career.

At the pasifika welcome I was given the honour to sit at

the top table alongside the presiding church minister

Rev Tavita Palelei, Soifuā and his family, Members of

Parliament – Peseta Sam Lotu

-Iiga, Alfred Ngaro and Su’a

William Sio and New Zealand

Police Dignitaries, many of

whom I had worked with dur-

ing my 25 year police career.

My personal memory here is

that as a young St Paul’s Col-

lege student Vitale, as he was

known then, was brought to my home by one Father

Pearse, the local Parish priest in Herne Bay’s Lady of Our

Succour Church, to discuss joining the Police. I recall the

trail blazed by pioneers such as the late Detec�ve Ser-

geant Ivan Nu’u [based in Papakura during his career]

the late Detec�ve Sergeant Masi Nu’u, and the late Tafa

Max To’o. Encouragement from my peer group included

Fuimaono Superintendent Leslie McCarthy, Inspector

Togimanu Annandale, and Detec�ve Senior Sergeant

Joshua Liava’a amongst many, many others.

So for me personally it was a pleasure to see Soifuā In-

spector Vitale Lafaele rise within the Police to reach the

posi�on of Area Commander, and to set a new bench-

mark for his fellow police officers to follow. Congratula-

�ons - O le ala i le pule o le tautua.

By Moananu Tyrone Laurenson

(Photo courtesy of www.stuff.co.nz)

Samoan Takes On Top Cop Role

Message from the Pastoral Care Administrator Wow! The year has gone just like a wink of an eye.

Nowadays you have to chase the �me, it is no longer

the other way around where you sit and wonder, and

wish that the end of the year will arrive so you can have

a break. Guess what! We are not far away from Christ-

mas and it is that �me of the year that you have been

always wai�ng for!

This week is the last week for all our language classes

then they will be off for their 3 week holiday for Term 3.

But for some eager students whose classes I have visit-

ed, the idea of having a break from classes does not sit

well with them – some have even asked to resume clas-

ses a week early.

This is a sign that they are hungry to learn more about

language and culture, in many cases, their own lan-

guage and culture. It is also an indica�on that they are

commiLed learners enjoying their learning experiences.

As the Pastoral Care Administrator for Pasifika Educa-

�on Centre, I’m seeing that educa�on is having an im-

pact in the lives of these students. Over and over I’m

hearing the same thing – people want to communicate

with their aiga. They want to learn their language. They

miss hearing their parents speaking their na�ve tongue.

Wow! That breaks my heart to hear that but I comfort

them with the fact that they are fortunate and blessed

to have gi6ed tutors who are passionate about teaching

their language. We have a group of wonderful and hard-

working tutors and I don’t say that lightly. These people

are truly guardians of Pacific languages and specialists in

delivering them.

As for our Compu�ng Students, wow! This is a different

group of people, some of whom are elderly people aged

50 and older. I learn so much from these more senior

students. They are keen to meet and mix with younger

learners. They are not afraid of learning new things.

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8

(con�nued from previous page)

They aLack their learning with commitment and determina�on. Some mornings they arrive long before the tutor

arrives, some�mes even before the office opens!

A common sen�ment I hear goes along the lines of “Thank you so

much! I came to the course with no knowledge about computers at

all. I’m so happy that I can use a computer now”.

My encouragement to all our learners is that when a thought pops

into your mind that will discourage you, say to yourself, “I CAN DO IT”.

Focus on what you are learning and be determined to complete it.

Don’t give any room to any nega�ve thoughts that will distract you!

Be surrounded by posi�ve people that believe in you and encourage

you.

Manuia le tu’uaga to all our students.

By Kisa Lemoa

Morning Tea break with Level 2 Computing

students

From Bronze to Gold! The students from Susuga Taupaū Olofa’s Auckland Dis-

trict Health Board Samoan Language class were put

through their sternest test, when two of their members

were selected to welcome a high-powered delega�on

visi�ng from Samoa.

The 10 week Samoan language programme was re-

quested by Anne Fi�semanu Pacific Workforce Develop-

ment Manager & Special Projects consultant to ADHB. It

followed a language “taster” session provided by PEC

and contribu�ng to the ADHB Pasifika Fes�val Celebra-

�ons in March which was organised by Hilda Fa’asalele,

General Manager Pasifika Health at ADHB.

The class included a wide range of health prac��oners,

from a Paediatric Otolaryngologist (kids ear, nose and

throat specialist) through to nurses from Starship Chil-

dren’s Hospital, a speech therapist, a specialist in pallia-

�ve care and staff in administra�ve roles.

The common theme for all the learners is the desire to

be able to communicate beLer with their Samoan pa-

�ents in order to improve the delivery of their specialist

healthcare services.

Over a ten week period, PEC tutor Susuga Taupaū Olofā

delivered a programme which not only introduced the

learners to the Samoan language, but developed a vo-

cabulary to assist the learners in their respec�ve work

areas. Prac�ce sessions included conversa�onal dia-

logue set in the various scenarios in which the learners

may find themselves.

A real test for the learners came when members of the

class met with a high powered delega�on from Samoa.

The delega�on included the Minister of Health Hon Tu-

itama Dr Leao Talalelei, CEO of the Government of Sa-

moa’s Ministry of Health Afioga Palani�na Tupuimatagi

Toelupe and the Dean of the Oceania University of Med-

icine Le Mamea Dr Limbo Fiu. Two of the class had been

invited to welcome the delega�on to the Starship area

of the delega�on’s visit.

Bravely, the two members stood to face the delega�on,

and to deliver their welcome messages. They could no

longer ‘hide’ behind a class room prac�ce session or a

tutor.

First up was Dr Nikki Mills. Nikki had worked the Na�on-

al Hospital in Motootua in Samoa when she was study-

ing to become a doctor. She probably thought this was

Sue Whaitiri and Dr Nikki Mills deliver their speeches to the

Samoan delegation. Pictured far right is Le Mamea Dr Limbo Fiu

(continued on next page)

9

(con�nued from previous page)

a much sterner challenge than she faced in 1988, when

as a rower represen�ng New Zealand at the Seoul Olym-

pic Games, she won a bronze medal!

Next up was Sue Whai�ri. She is known for her infec-

�ous laughter which can be heard as she approaches

the classroom for each session. A Charge Nurse Manag-

er in the Day Stay Unit at Starship Hospital, Sue then

stepped up and delivered her speech of welcome to

their guests from Samoa.

Both women delivered a formal Samoan gree�ng to the

delega�on, introduced themselves and briefly explained

the role at the hospital and their responsibili�es. They

also expressed, s�ll in Samoan, their apprecia�on for

the opportunity given them to learn the Samoan lan-

guage.

Delega�on member Le Mamea Dr Fiu nodded and

smiled in approval as the students delivered their

speeches. They were praised for their efforts. Sue came

in for praise from one of her Samoan colleagues who

said how well Sue had spoken.

The delivery of a speech to a visi�ng delega�on is only

part of the successes to be aLributed to this group as

they learn a new language.

Sue has spoken of the development of a closer rela�on-

ship with her Samoan stakeholders because they are

aware that she can speak a few words of Samoan. Palli-

a�ve Care specialist Charmaine talks of defusing a po-

ten�ally difficult situa�on involving a Samoan family to

whom she was aLending. A family member was upset

as they entered her room. Charmaine was able to un-

derstand some of the Samoan language in which they

were speaking. When she heard one of the family mem-

bers say “Sūsū mai – lou ava lea” [“Welcome – your

seat, Sir”] to another family member, Charmaine

promptly pulled a chair forward for the upset family

member to be seated. The family member calmed down

immediately. Speech therapist Claire spoke of using the

Samoan language to help her in the rehabilita�on of

clients who have suffered a stroke.

The whole class spoke of a beLer understanding of the

Samoan culture and also their beliefs in tradi�onal

methods of healing, which may conflict with western

methods.

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(09) 260-4042

www.pec.ac.nz

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Clockwise from bo4om le$.

1) demonstra�ng the correct

folding of ngatu. 2) The tou’a

prepares the kava. 3) Kiekie on

display. 4) Dr Linitā Manu’atu

addresses the audience. 5)

Chris�ne with tutors ‘Alisi Kato-

anga and Lolohea Tupouniua

and students from the Mt Ros-

kill Intermediate Tongan class.

Images from Tongan Language Week