HINERANGI VAIMOSO
sPACIFICally PACIFIC is about Pacific students growing up in Hawke's Bay and raising awareness about what Pacific Island people can bring to the region.
Last weekend saw the start of the third annual Ministry of Education's sPACIFICally sPACIFIC event with 22 Pacific students from Hawke's Bay joining forces to learn how to be strong leaders within their families, churches and schools.
Guest speakers included Samoan language teacher and former Hawks player and coach Talalelei Taufale and Pacific lawyer Mary Robertson who had the students in a trance with their messages of inspiration.
They certainly made an impression on Fale Ah Kiong of Hastings Girls' High School.
While most 17 year olds in Hawke's Bay hope to attend university in Palmerston North or Wellington next year, Fale Ah Kiong is set on attending Brigham Young University in Hawaii to study criminology.
"I watched stuff on TV like Judge Judy, that got me into criminology and Dad has always wanted me to head overseas to broaden my travelling knowledge. This way I can do both," Fale said.
With Fale being part Chinese, part Samoan and part Rarotongan, travel has always been on the cards.
"I have a strong Mormon background too so if not Hawaii then I want to go to Utah in America with the church," she added.
"sPACIFICally PACIFIC is a really awesome opportunity and we're so lucky to get this much encouragement."
When Apelu Moananu left his village in Samoa for Napier he was 10 years old and couldn't speak a word of English.
Today he is in year 13 at Napier Boys' High School gearing up for university in the hope of becoming a PE teacher.
"My parents knew it was going to be hard to come over and learn the language but they knew we would benefit in the future," Apelu said.
"It was hard in the first year and it took a long time for teachers to explain things to me but I got through it eventually with the help from a few English-speaking mates."
Apelu went on to excel in maths and topped his class in year 10. Apelu attended the event to develop skills to pass on to "the boys coming through the ranks".
"Too many New Zealand-born Pacific Island kids can't speak their own language so I want to learn to be a good leader and show them how to keep their culture alive."
The students were also treated to a night on a marae at William Colenso College and tried out their Pacific strength on Waka Ama.
Ministry of Education Pacific education co-ordinator for Hawke's Bay, Rose Fatialofa, believed using peers as role models for youth is the most effective way to encourage excellence.
"We wanted them to speak their mind because there is sometimes a limit put on that because of their cultural backgrounds,"Mrs Fatialofa said.
"We needed to nurture our Pacific leaders and help them discover and enhance their leadership qualities."
More sPACIFICally PACIFIC events are set to follow in the coming months.
Students inspired by speakers
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