Malo E Lelei, Talofa Lava, Bula Vinaka, Kia Orana, and many more warm Pacific greetings.
On Wednesday, a group of Pasifika students got the opportunity to attend a programme called PILOT. This gave us a better understanding of how our identity shapes who we are, and how we shouldn’t be ashamed to embrace our differences.
It was a great day where we were able to interact with other Auckland school students of pacific heritage. We did three different workshops which all had very powerful messages. “It was really good to connect with other Pasifika students in Auckland. We had the opportunity to learn more about tapa cloths and the understanding that there was more behind the tapa cloth than we thought,” says Lexi Turner from10 ASO.
We explored our identity and connection to each other in a lolly lei workshop. According to Misiana Mariner, from 10 PLD, “being around other schools and meeting new people was the best part because we got to connect with each other about the similarities of our cultures.” Katelyn Hill from 10 WSD agrees, “it really made you think about your culture – that many people don’t talk about or think about and that really helps.”
Seini Paul, from 10WJN enjoyed the tapa cloth workshop the most, where students created their own tapa design. “I learnt so much more about the tapa cloths – they used to be used as currency.”
We enjoyed PILOT and the blessing this experience has given us. We gained more knowledge of how being a pacific islander isn’t something that’s supposed to make us feel less but it’s what defines who we are as individuals. We were able to enhance the meaning of how to be a leader, making sure we have the ability to lead not only ourselves but those around us. It gave us the opportunity to step out of our comfort zone and show how engaged we were. This experience made me more comfortable about my identity and how I am proud to be Tongan.
By Loise Tuitupou 10 WJN