Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025

Introduction:

In September 2025, a group of New Zealand principals, as part of the Tautai O Le Moana (TolM) professional development program, embarked on a study tour to Niue. This tour was a cornerstone of our partnership with the NZ Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA). The Niue-focused tour, one of three concurrent study tours, was planned in collaboration with the Niue Department of Education, providing a unique ‘place-based’ learning experience designed to enhance our leadership capabilities and enrich our understanding of Pacific cultures.

Tour Goals:

The overarching goals of the study tour were to:

• Strengthen educational leadership through a deeper understanding of Pacific cultures and traditions.
• Foster meaningful connections between New Zealand principals and Niuean educators, learners, and communities.
• Empower participants to build on their cultural knowledge, thereby improving outcomes for Pacific learners in New Zealand.

Specific to the Niue delegation, our objectives also included:

• Providing mentoring and support to principals and teachers at Niue ECE, Primary, and Secondary schools.
• Delivering professional learning and development (PLD) workshops for staff and parents on key topics such as literacy and numeracy.
• Building collegial networks with our Pacific counterparts.

Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025

Tautai Study Tour Team:

• Jo Augustine – Principal Kaurilands School
• Jazmin Grieg – Principal Yendarra School
• Munokoatini Grieg – Yendarra School
• Kylee Jefferies – Principal Alfriston College
• Tina Filipo – Principal James Cook High School
• Pip Cook – Principal St Teresas School
• Brent Godfery – Principal Pembroke School
• Mac Ikitule – Deputy Principal Rowandale School
• Karl Vasau – TolM Facilitator/ Principal Rowandale School
• Jerry Leaupepe – TolM Facilitator

Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025 – Welcome on Day One

From the moment of our arrival, the warmth and generosity of the Niuean people were immediately evident. The traditional welcome ceremony and feast hosted by the Niue Department of Education, Niue Language Commission, Taoga Niue, and the NZ High Commission set a powerful tone for the week. The genuine care and hospitality we received made us feel deeply valued and connected.

Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025 – Visit to Niue Primary School

Our visits to the Niue Primary School and Early Childhood Education centres were highlights of the tour. We were warmly embraced by staff and students, and our principals were impressed by the professionalism and high level of engagement in the classrooms. In the afternoon, we were able to provide direct support, running a valuable staff meeting for teachers on literacy and numeracy.

Similarly, our time at Niue High School—Aoga Tokoluga Niue—was equally impactful. Principal Ale Ioane and his team hosted us with incredible generosity, and our principals had the opportunity to engage directly with students and staff. A workshop for parents, led by Mac Ikitule and Jazmin Mautairi-Greig, further extended our support, providing practical strategies to enhance literacy and numeracy skills at home.

Beyond the formal educational visits, the tour was a holistic cultural immersion. A visit to the Taoga Niue Museum provided deep insight into the island’s rich heritage, while a “takai” (tour) around the island gave us a tangible sense of place and community. 

Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025 – Being hosted by the Tuapa Youth

The final days were filled with truly authentic experiences, from a traditional “tunupaku” hosted by the Tuapa Village Council and Youth Group.

But the learning wasn’t confined to the classrooms. Niue itself became our teacher. We explored its natural wonders—the stunning Matapa Chasm, the majestic Avaiki Cave Pool and the breath taking Limu Pools.

We also had the pleasure of attending the Tamakautoga Show Day, a perfect showcase of village pride, full of entertainment, crafts, and food.

Conclusion:

Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025 – Attending Sunday Church Service in Alofi

The Tautai O Le Moana Study Tour to Niue was a resounding success. The experiences were not merely observational; they were profoundly relational. We leave with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper cultural understanding, and stronger collegial bonds. The hospitality and love we received from everyone, including government officials, educators, and community members, were unforgettable. 

Photo: TolM Principals Study Tour to Niue 2025 – Final dinner with Ministry of Education

We extend our deepest fakaaue lahi mahaki to everyone who made this experience possible. The memories and lessons we take home will undoubtedly enrich our practice and our relationships with Pacific learners and their families in New Zealand.