NZPPA Gathering in Waikato

Aug 24, 2024

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Along the banks of the Waikato River

The NZ Pasifika Principals Association has a network of 130 Principals and 75 Financial Members making it one of the largest Principal Associations and networks in the country. Every term we endeavour to hold meetings across the country to allow for our local members and friends to attend and to also showcase our members, schools, networks and special events. This term we travelled down to the Waikato region and this was our tour group:

  1. Adam Tamariki – Principal of Te Paina School (Mercer)
  2. James Williams – Principal of Avondale School (Auckland)
  3. Vasati Vaoiva – Principal of Sir Edmond Hillary Junior School (Auckland)
  4. Graeme Norman – Principal Rowley School/ NZPPA Exec (Christchurch)
  5. Saane Faaofo-Oldehaver – Principal Weymouth School and Principal Leadership Advisor Pasifika (Auckland)
  6. Jason Ataera – Principal Tairangi School/ NZPPA Exec (Porirua)
  7. Dr Deanna Johnston – Principal Viscount School (Auckland)
  8. Maria Lyne – Principal St Josephs School (Levin)
  9. Natasha Teinakore – Principal Birkdale School (Auckland)
  10. Bevan Verryt – Principal Campbells Bay School (Auckland)
  11. Jazmin Greig – Principal Yendarra School (Auckland)
  12. Dallas Wichman – Principal St Annes School/ NZPPA Exec (Christchurch)
  13. Jerry Leaupepe – Tautai Facilitator/ President NZPPA (Auckland)
  14. Helen Varney – Director of Tautai O Le Moana/ NZPPA Exec (Auckland)
  15. Sepora Mauigoa – Principal Glendene School/ Tautai Facilitator (Auckland)
  16. Jenny Bernard – Principal Otahuhu School/ NZPPA Exec (Auckland)
  17. Michelle Fepuleai – Principal Nga Iwi School (Auckland)
  18. Bernice Matautia – Principal Mangere Bridge School (Auckland)
  19. Melini Fasavalu – Principal Waimahia Intermediate School (Auckland)
  20. Michael Earl – Principal Howick School (Auckland)
  21. Dr Jacqui Yearsley – Principal Richmond Road School (Auckland)
  22. Filivaifale Jason Swann – Director of Education Tāmaki Herenga Manawa – central and east (Auckland)
  23. Stephanie Tawha – General Manager Te Ahiwaru (Auckland)
  24. Karl Vasau – Principal Rowandale School/ NZPPA Treasurer (Auckland)
Wednesday 21 August 2024

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – at the foot of Taupiri Maunga


Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – at the foot of Taupiri Maunga


Today we travelled down to the Waikato and on the way we first stopped in at Taupiri Maunga the sacred burial mountain of the Kingitanga and Tainui. We were met by Ngati Tahinga who gave us a talk about the kingitanga and shared with us some significant history about the area and its people. Many of us had passed through Ngaruawahia and Taupiri in the past and hearing about the history and significance of these sacred places gave us a better appreciation of where we were travelling later in the day and also for future opportunities for PLD in areas like Rangiriri. We also took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank one of our long time NZPPA Members who recently stepped down from the Exec – Thank you so much Stephanie Tawha for all that you have done and will do. 

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Turangawaewae Marae


We then moved onto Turangawaewae Marae where they were in full swing celebrating the Koroneihana. For many of us it was our first time on this Marae and participating in the Coronation celebrations for Te Arikinui Tūheitia Paki. We participated in the Ecumenical service of Thanksgiving and the powerful sermon from the Anglican Arch-Bishop The Most Reverend Donald Steven Tamihere will remind in our minds for a long time. One of the things he shared was that in a western Ideology “I think therefore I am” contradicts a Maori and Pasifika Ideology of “I am therefore I think” emphasising the importance of Identity that helps us think, act and do.


We toured around the Marae and it was amazing to see the many workers and officials playing their different roles in order for the event to run smoothly. We will endeavour to come every year and with better planning we will ensure we come of the same day as the Pasifika Leaders and communities come which for us was the day before. To see stand on the shore of the Waikato River which runs directly behind the Marae reinforces the importance of this awa and caring for it.


From here we travelled down the road to debrief and Talanoa about our experiences in the morning and to continue to connect with each other. We were recommended the Hopin Stopin Cafe in Taupiri and what a setting for our catch up. It is vital for Principals to ensure we connect with other like minded principals and talanoa and connect in a safe and respectful environment where there is no judgement but only thing like love, respect, warmth and humour. 

We then travelled into Hamilton and checked into our accomodation before going out to dinner together and meeting up with our Ministry of Education Hosts for the next day.


Thursday 22 August 2024

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Aiga Tasi – Fraser High School


Today for us started at Fraser High School and visiting the Aiga Tasi students and teachers. The Aiga Tasi Programme is open to all students and specifically for tamaiti (children) who identify as having connections to the Pacific. Our identity empowers us to learn and celebrate as tamaiti of the Pacific. ​Aiga Tasi is a family​​ where they strive to live our values​, ​share our beliefs and ​use our ​experience​s ​to navigate as Leaders ​​at Fraser and toward the future. Aiga e Tasi translates to “One Family” in Gagana Sāmoa. “A fia vave o’o lou va’a, alu na’o oe, ae e fia tuli mamao le taunu’uga, tatou alo’alo fa’atasi”. If you want to go fast; go alone. If you want to go far, go together. (Samoan proverb) In Aiga Tasi the tamaiti and fanau are at the centre of our village and TOGETHER as ONE, we will go further.


We were welcomed in a traditional Cook Island Turou and Samoan Cava Ceremony. The students carried out these significant traditions in such a way that we were left in awe of their confidence and abilities. What followed was a cultural performance lead by their Senior Students with a Tongan Theme acknowledging the Cultural Week we were in. The singing left many of our principals teary eyed and the performances were definitely high quality. What made it more special was the students were responsible for introducing and teaching each of the performances and it was fully driven by them.


Morning tea in the staffroom followed and we were able to meet key Fraser High School staff and further connect with the Aiga Tasi Senior Students and Team. 

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Aiga Tasi – Senior Students

We then spent the remainder of the day in their student space which was a space where their students could feel safe and also free to express themselves. The demand is so high by the students enrolled at the school that they have a waiting list to get in. Our Principals were divided into groups and students from Aiga Tasi were engaged in Talanoa with these groups and wow how powerful the connections and sharing. We were not keen to see this visit end but we have pledged that this is only the beginning of our relationship and all of us will work towards furthering our connection.



In the afternoon we were hosted by the Ministry of Education – Hamilton Office and we were again taken a back by the hospitality and heart felt welcome we received. Our powhiri which then led to a yummy afternoon tea created a real sense of belonging for our group from a group that were used to making people and visitors feel welcome. The whole office was involved and a special touch was that while we ate the MoE staff serenaded our group with waita and dance. Huge thanks to Marcus Freke (Director of Education – MoE Waikato) and his team for their welcome.

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Jocelyn Mikaere 

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Talanoa with Jocelyn Mikaere


We then spent an hour engaged in Talanoa with the MoE Deputy Secretary Jocelyn Mikaere Hautū Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua (Central) who allowed us to share with her what was on top for our Principals and some of the realities we face everyday. Here are some of the things we shared with her:
  • Staffing 
  • Support Staff provision for Special Needs 
  • New funding needed in many areas but please not re allocation of current funding
  • Support to up skill and train as teachers people/ teacher aides from our own communities and schools
  • Feeling stressed in relation to the workload – it is heavy 
  • Staff Absence and finding relief cover 
  • Teacher training provisions – Evident gaps in Beginning Teachers Knowledge
  • Conditions for us to successfully implement new policies – small class sizes, resourced, more staffing and funding etc
  • Behavioural issues, Special needs provision vs mainstream support 


To finish our day we met with Officials of Te Whatu Ora – Pasifika Division who were keen to share what work they are currently undertaking and ask for our opinion on possible ways they could roll out education to young people in our settings. To hear the areas in which Pasifika are over represented was a definite cause for concern (Immunisation, Diabetes, Mental Health, Drug Abuse, Screening Programmes etc).

Photo: NZPPA Waikato Gathering – Te Whatu Ora 

It was unanimous that our NZPPA gathering in the Waikato was a great success. Once again the Principals that attended reported shared that the PLD we received from the things we experiences and carried out on this trip was “Fill the cup to full level” stuff. Huge thank you to everyone who helped plan this trip – Stephanie Tawha, Lali Sefo, Junior Siilata, Karl Vasau and NZPPA. Looking forward to our Term 4 NZPPA gathering in Christchurch.