NZPPA and TolM August 2022 Gathering

Photo: Gifting of the Talanoa Ako Resource “Make it Happen” by the Ministry of Education to NZPPA and Tautai O Le Moana

Recently the NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) and Tautai O Le Moana (TolM) gathered in Auckland for some key events and activities. Principals joined Auckland based members and travelled from Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington.

Thursday 25 August

Photo: NZPPA and TolM outside PASS

The day started at Pacific Advanced Secondary School (PASS) in Otahuhu. The visit was set up for Principals in NZPPA and TolM to participate in a culturally rich experience. We joined the staff and students for their morning praise and worship and then were formally welcomed in a very diverse and cultural ceremony.

Photo: NZPPA and TolM Participating in morning devotion at PASS

Photo: NZPPA and TolM Powhiri at PASS

Photo: NZPPA and TolM at PASS – Yummy Morning Tea

It was definitely a very moving and spiritual experience and something that all in attendance would agree as life changing. We were then treated to an amazing morning tea followed by an amazing talk from the Co-Principals Falefatu and Parehuia Enari.

Photo: NZPPA and TolM Powhiri at Otahuhu Primary School

Then we headed over to Otahuhu Primary School (OPS) for the official gifting of the “Make It Happen” resource which is part of the Ministry of Educations (MoE) Talanoa Ako Programme. We were joined by more NZPPA and TolM Principals and welcomed in a formal Powhiri.

Photo: NZPPA and TolM Powhiri at OPS – Indian Group

Photo: NZPPA and TolM Powhiri at OPS – Tongan Group

Photo: NZPPA and TolM Powhiri at OPS – Samoan Group

As part of the welcome ceremony we were treated to amazing student performances by the OPS Indian, Tongan and Samoan Groups. The MoE gifted the resource to our groups because they believe that we will all take a leadership role in supporting other Principals and Schools when they implement Talanoa Ako.

It was a proud moment because it signalled a real commitment and endorsement by the MoE to see us take on this leadership role and all our NZPPA and TolM Principals have the skill needed for such a responsibility.

Photo: Principals of Rowandale, Cathedral College and West Rolleston Schools

Photo: Principals of Tairangi, PASS Schools and the Director of TolM

Photo: Principals of Dominion Rd and Glendene Schools

Photo: Principals of St Francis School and St Dominics College

Photo: Three former and current Principals of Holy Family School – now Principal of Viard College, Rowandale and Currently Holy Family

Photo: Principals of Corinna, Hampstead and Waikowhai Schools

Photo: Principals of Pomaria and St Michaels Schools

Photo: Principals of Netherby, Ferguson Int, Ashburton Int, Bader Int, Koraunui and Rowley Schools

Photo: Principals of Richardson and St Josephs Schools

Photo: Principals of Cannons Creek and Upper Harbour Schools and Senior Leader from Viard College

Photo: Principals of Nga Iwi, Manurewa East, Ranui and Fairburn Schools

Photo: MoE Officials and TolM Facilitators

Photo: Principals waiting nicely for Kai lol

This was followed by an amazing Cook Island Themed feast in the Library.

For the afternoon our NZPPA and TolM members from outside of Auckland were invited to Sutton Park School (SPS) in Mangere to observe and visit their Bilingual Education Classrooms. SPS hosts Tongan, Samoan and Maori Bilingual Units and is very proud of the programmes they run. These classes run alongside mainstream classes and add an option for the diverse Pasifika and Maori communities to learn some of their languages.

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association AGM and Dinner at Szimpla

The day was concluded at the Szimpla Bar and Restaurant where our NZPPA Principals held their Annual General Meeting at also shared an amazing meal together. It was the first time since covid hit that our NZPPA members were able to gather together not just the members in Auckland but to have representatives from Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin was a real blessing. Congratulations to the Principals who were elected onto the Executive for 2023/24:

Saane Oldehaver-Faaofo (Auck – Principal Weymouth School)
Helen Varney (Auck – Director of TolM)
Karl Vasau (Auck – Principal Rowandale School/ TolM Facilitator)
Stephanie Tawha (Auck – General Manager Te Ahiwaru / Whanau Engagement / Education Lead)
Faatili Iosua Esera (Auck – Principal Sutton Park School)
Sose Anandale (Wlgtn – TolM Facilitator)
Clara Tuifao (Wlgth – Principal St Michaels School Taita)
Sylvia Fidow (Chch – Principal West Rolleston School)
Tania MacDonald (Dunedin – Principal Brockville School)

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association AGM and Dinner at Szimpla

We also acknowledged and paid tribute to our departing Executive Members:

Taitu’uga Geoff Siave (Chch – TolM Facilitator)
Filivaifale Jason Swann (ERO Te Tai Raki Northern Director)

Friday 26 August

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association Planning and Visioning Day – Ihumatao

This day was designed for our NZPPA Principals to gather for a day set up to build our knowledge of things Maori in Auckland and to begin the Strategic Review and a Visioning Exercise of NZPPA. Our Powhiri and welcome to Ihumatao Marae was amazing.

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association – Ihumatao Powhiri

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association – Ihumatao Pania Newton

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association – Ihumatao Stephanie Tawha

We were made to feel very welcome and experienced first hand the rich history and stories behind the Marae. The highlight for many of us was the ability to hear first hand from Pania Newton, a New Zealand lawyer and activist for Māori land rights. Her story and ability to pass onto us rich knowledge of the history of Tamaki Makaurau is something we all found powerful and invigorating.

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association – Ihumatao Talanoa Session

After some yummy Morning Tea we held a Talanoa session where principals in attendance were able to share with the group any celebrations, anxieties, questions, realities and whats on top for them. In real Talanoa fashion this took us right up to lunch (2 hours) and lunch was next level.

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association – Ihumatao Visioning Exercise

The afternoon was spent reviewing our strategic statements and documents and then beginning a process of visioning for our NZPPA. This session was very valuable and produced some good starting points for our new executive. Two days spent with like minded educational leaders with experience in Principalship starting at 2 Terms through to 35 years.

Photo: NZ Pasifika Principals Association – Ihumatao Visioning Exercise