Pasifika at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington

02/06/2026

Fabiefara Filo Masoe was farewelled from Te Herenga Waka on Friday 29 May. This farewell marked the conclusion of nine years of service that has seen Fabie soar from being a Pasifika Engagement Adviser to Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor.

Hailing from Samoa - the villages of Asau, Safune, Salelologa, Sa’anapu and Alafua- Fabie started at Te Herenga Waka as an International student in 2010. Following completion of her Bachelor of Arts with Honours, she began working at Te Herenga Waka in the student success space drawing on her own journey of sacrifice, resilience, and hope.

Reflecting on her career at Te Herenga Waka, Fabie said “I am passionate about working with and alongside Pasifika students to help them achieve their potential.” And Fabie has done that. She was instrumental in establishing Loto Aho, weekly tutorials for students, as well as the Pasifika Night Market, which - in addition to providing a space for people to connect over great food and music – helps communities see the university as a place for them. These are only some of the initiatives that Fabie set up to advance academic success and strengthen connection.

Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett, Assistant Vice Chancellor Pasifika said, “Fabie will be missed. When she resigned, I have to admit I was reluctant to accept her letter because of what this would mean – not only to our team, but also for our Pasifika students. Fabie goes the extra mile, and her work has made a real difference to so many students and colleagues. While it’s hard to see her go, I am also incredibly excited for the next phase of her journey. I know she will continue to inspire wherever she goes, just as she has done here”.

In resigning from her role as Senior Adviser (Pasifika Identity), Fabie said “It has truly been a privilege to contribute to the work of Vaka Tangata Moana, and I am thankful for the support, guidance and experiences I have gained during my time”.

Vaka Tangata Moana – as well as the team across Te Herenga Waka – wish Fabie all the best. For more information about Pasifika, please see: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/pasifika

27/05/2026

27/05/2026

🎓 Pasifika Graduation Celebration May 2026 🎓

We celebrate the journeys, sacrifices, and dreams that have brought our Pasifika graduates to this moment. You carry with you the strength of those who came before and the hopes of those who will follow.

Congratulations to our Pasifika Graduates May 2026 ✨ Your success is not only your own, but a reflection of the villages, families, and communities who stand proudly beside you. We celebrate you and all that lies ahead. 🌺🤎

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Music:
Video: Stariana Framhein-Tagoa'i

26/05/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐚'𝐢𝐭𝐚'𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐨 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢 | 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

You can read Taitaifono’s full story here:
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2026/05/the-path-no-cyclone-can-shatter

Taitaifono Tamati, who graduates with a Bachelor of Commerce this week, carries his identity with him wherever he goes, and that heritage will carry him across the stage at this May’s graduation.

“Right now, Samoa, like many Pacific countries, faces the challenge of brain drain. Many of our people leave in search of better opportunities overseas, often to support their families, and that’s completely understandable.

“But for me personally, I’ve always felt a strong desire to come back and contribute here at home.”

The Bachelor of Commerce graduate who majored in Actuarial Science at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington wants to contribute in a way that is practical and meaningful for his people.

“For me, the impact I want to make starts at home, in Samoa, and hopefully extends across the Pacific.

“If I can contribute, even in a small way, to building stronger systems, supporting better decisions, and helping our people feel more secure about their future, then I would consider that a meaningful impact.”

26/05/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐕𝐔𝐖
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦 29 𝑀𝑎𝑦, 5𝑝𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑢𝑏

Looking forward to seeing you all this Friday kainga. Treat yourself by supporting your local Pasifika vendors!

From delicious eats to handmade goods, there’s something for everyone. Please stop at an ATM and bring some cash to make things easier for our vendors but no stress if you can’t, online transfers are welcome too!

Bring your friends, your family, and your appetite! There will be a live band, come for the food and stay for the vibes!

See you there! 🥳

24/05/2026

𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

For our families and friends who cannot join us this evening, please find the link for the livestream here:
https://vstream.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=1f4473f3-8681-4328-8209-b44f0039a2c2

Livestream will start at 5.15pm 🎓

19/05/2026

𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐈𝟏𝟎𝟏 𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐢 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 𝟔𝐩𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞

Join us for a night of student performances and visual arts! These performances are creative assessments for students in PASI 101: The Pacific Heritage.

This year will feature spoken work, visual art, poetry, dance, film, and more. Free entry and open to the public.

WHEN: Thursday 21 May
TIME: 6–9 pm
WHERE: The Hunter Lounge, Kelburn campus

Va'aomanū Pasifika, Victoria University of Wellington

14/05/2026

𝐓𝐮𝐩𝐮 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐚: 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟗 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐇𝐌𝐙𝟎𝟑 (𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬)

This is a paid summer internship offered to Pacific tertiary students interested in a career in the public sector. Internship placements are offered at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and in a range of Government agencies.

Come along to this talanoa for our Pasifika students. Applications open Monday 18 May, closing midnight Sunday 21 June 2026.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
Tuesday 19 May, 12.00pm – 1.00pm
RHMZ03, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus
Lunch provided!
RSVP form: https://shorturl.at/XUlPW

Tupu Tai aims to strengthen early career pathways and grow Pacific representation in public sector policy roles, supporting a confident, connected and capable Pacific policy workforce.

More information about the Tupu Tai internship programme via this link: https://jobs.mbie.govt.nz/content/Tupu-Tai-Pasifika-Public-Sector-Summer-Internship-Programme/

13/05/2026

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝐓𝐲𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐨𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐢 𝐀𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠-𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞

Va'aomanū Pasifika, Victoria University of Wellington is delighted to announce that 𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒐𝒐 and 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒊 𝑨𝒉 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈-𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 have been awarded the Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Scholarship for 2026.

𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒐𝒐 is the Undergraduate recipient receiving up to $6,000.00. From Vaipae in Aitutaki and Penhryn (Cook Islands), Tyla is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Pacific Studies, and minoring in Te Reo Māori and Management.

"Teresia Teaiwa’s legacy is one that reflects strength, service, and a deep commitment to Pacific communities. I feel privileged to be connected to that legacy through this scholarship, and it inspires me to continue working hard so that I too can contribute meaningfully to my community and uplift others through my journey and one of those ways I am able to do that is through learning about the Pacific here at Te Herenga Waka. My passion is to become a teacher. Growing up, my teachers had a profound impact on me, their dedication, guidance, and belief in me inspired my own desire to teach. I bring with me a love for education, energy, and commitment to making a difference in young people’s lives, especially those who are of Māori and Pasifika descent. Once I complete my studies, I plan to gain my teacher registration and teach in secondary schools, either in Wellington or Auckland" Tyla Paoo.

𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒊 𝑨𝒉 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈-𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 is the Postgraduate recipient receiving $10,000.00. From Ngāti Ruanui, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, and Le'auva'a (Samoa), Taranaki is studying an Honours degree in Pacific Studies, after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Studies and Pacific Studies in 2025.

"I am honoured to be a recipient of the Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship for 2026...Getting to continue my postgraduate study also means getting to spend time focused on my passion, which is Indigenous Oceanic philosophies of time-space. I feel deeply that connecting those of Māori to our wider Pacific lineage could provide vital insight into how we can continue to resist colonialism and capitalism here in Aotearoa and abroad, and nurture other ways of being that are more synergistic with nature and our humanity" Taranaki Ah Young-Grace.

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑇𝑦𝑙𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑖 ❤️

11/05/2026

𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐱 | 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑀𝑎̄𝑜𝑟𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑘𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛.

Crit Culture is an event designed by Jasmax that offers a relaxed, informal space to present your mahi, and receive focused feedback from Jasmax Waka Maia and Moana Practitioners.

Thursday 21 May, 4pm
Level 3, 126 Lambton Quay

Please RSVP by 20 May to [email protected] or contact Magnolia Akeli, Tautai Adviser for more information: [email protected]