Mana Pasifika - Pacific Success 2023

On Thursday 19 October, Sacred Heart College celebrated Mana Pasifika – Pacific Success evening. This celebration was hosted during Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue -Niuean Language Week. 

It was a special evening with past pupils giving back to the College: Vailoa Tuita'alili as MC, guest speaker Akenehe Manea Pereira, and the many presenters. The awards were established for Year 9-13 students across seven categories that highlighted core Pacific values in the different Pacific languages. 

Congratulations to all our Mana Pasifika prize winners for 2023, especially the seven category winners and Mana Pasifika Supreme Award winner, who were recognised for their successes and disciplines before a packed Performing Arts Centre of families who were very proud to be there.

Fakaaue lahi to Ms Taeao, the cultural committee, and the village for a beautiful celebration.

Mateaki Li'oa Diligence Awards
Koe pale ki he fanauako, ngaue malohi, ma'u ako, maau ē teunga ako
Pacific students who have applied themselves consistently to their studies, including punctuality, attendance, uniform, and effort
Nominees - Peighton Galuva'a, Praise Fereti-Paku, Alofagia Lilomaiava, Zephaea Macdonald, Sydney Roma, Talia Timoteo, Eva Roil, Briseis Hopoi, Odette Brown, Te Ana Waiariki, Jaja Maulolo, Mishaela Kea, Caitrina Naidu, Vaeagi Vaitupu, Isabel To'ia, Luisa Ta'anoa, Louise Cocker, Jayla Leleisiuao, Aiymani Taueki, Ariah Masunu-Pereira, Drew McLeod, Myracle Tala
Premier Award (donated by Failoa Famili Trust) - Myracle Tala 

Tautua Fa'amaoni Service Awards
O i latou nei ua fa'amanuiaina i le tautua fa'amaoni e ala i 'au'aunaga 'ese'ese i totonu o le a'oga
Pacific students who have served with humility and integrity to the various areas of the school
Nominees - Malele Ah-Hi, Sydney Roma, Meleana Latu, Luisa Taanoa, Jayla Leleisiuao, Fa'afetai Kerstin Leleisiuao, Shayal Singh, Lydia Sa'u, Tutaiamoa Emeline Pusa, Isabella Lologa, Jazel Wilson, Moriah Sopoaga, Jaden Asiata, Elenor Maka
Premier Award (donated by Hutt City Council) - Lydia Sa'u 

Arataki'anga Leadership Awards
E 'akairo teia tei akaāri i te tūranga teitei o te tamaiti no runga i te arataki
Pacific students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership
Nominees - Emerita Vena, Ana Vaka, Nevaeh Hetutu-Bahm, Fa'asipa Kasiano, Jaja Maulolo, Uryah Time, Violet Fa'asoa, Gibeon Pole'o, Aaliyah Hetutu-Bahm, Shayal Singh, Tutaiamoa Emeline Pusa, Jazel Wilson, Moriah Sopoaga, Isabella Lologa, Jaden Asiata, Fa'afetai Kerstin Leleisiuao, Moala Fifita, Jahna Lelei, Lydia Sa'u
Premier Award (donated by Jess Andrew, past student) - Tutaiamoa Emeline Pusa 

Tau Fakaveaga He Fakaakoaga Students' Choice School Values Awards
Tau fanau ne fakatumu ke fakakite e tau mahani mo e tau fakaveaga he aoga
Students who have consistently demonstrated our school values - Mana Atua, Mana Tīpuna, Mana Tangata, Mana Whenua, Mana Mātauranga 
Nominees - Amelia Tangata'olakepa, Emerita Vena, Lanuola Pedersen, Miradon Fa'atau, Praise Fereti-Paku, Sydney Roma, Victoria Tanoa'I, Alei Aholelei Sione, Desire Va'a Sila, Faith Uila-Schwencke, Jaja Maulolo, Journey Samuelu, Vicky Malaeola Simolo, Ashleign Sharma, Bettylicia Sa'u, EapeisiTe’o, Te Ngaroahiahi Fanua Rimoni, Hui Lupi, Isabel Toia, Jayla Leleisiuao, Louise Cocker, Ruru Lupi, Ruth Fale, Tessa-Marie Perez, Aaliyah Hetutu-Bahm, Anneliese Lauvao, Chyna Tuiavi’i-Pona, Jaylin Lelei, Akenese Lourdez Peni, Monalisa Muia'a, Tuulenana Oloitoa, Tutaiamoa Emeline Pusa, Isabella Lologa, Jahna Lelei, Jazel Wilson, Fa'afetai Kerstin Leleisiuao, Lydia Sa'u, Moala Fifita, Moriah Sopoaga, Shayal Singh
Premier Award (donated by Pacific All Stars Initiative and Vibe) - - Fa'afetai Kerstin Leleisiuao

Cocovi Ni Lewa Matau Pasifika Navigator Awards
E soli vua na gonevuli lewa matau nona bula ena gauna e sotava kina na dredre kei na vei bolebole eso
Pacific students who have navigated their way through significant challenges
Nominees - Alei Aholelei Sione, Tekafa Lui-Pelasio, Malia Ahelemo, Fa’amemu Lealali’I, Mollie Mato, Mya Tipene-Tagoa'I, Chyna Tuiavi’i-Pona, Odelia Vaigafa, Ma’ata-Paige Latavao, Jada Skipper-King
Premier Award (donated by Ministry of Social Development) - Chyna Tuiavi’i-Pona

Kaukumete Excellence Awards
Fanau akoga nae tumau te manaia a na hatalaga i vaega uma o te akoga
Pacific students who have consistently achieved excellent results in their chosen fields (eg: Academic/ Sports/ Performing Arts etc)
Nominees - Blaire Apu'ula, Maia Mapakaitolo, Marie Winitana-Patelesio, Talia Timoteo, Taliah Mapakaitolo, Mia-Loine So'otaga, Victoria Tanoa'I, Luhia Tuia, Keylana Asovale, Manea Sami, Kema Leo-Ioapo, Briarly Kassey, Marieta Kulatea, Tee-Queeva Ben-Tupuola, Zarlya Collings, Briseis Hopoi, Imahni Antonio, Dejah Leo-Ioapo, Prezley Easthope, Sueanna William Ah-Ken, Tracey Tupuivao, Te Ngroahiahi Fanua Rimoni, Riana Leafa-Paki, Isabel To'ia, Alyssa Aoina, Shekinah Sau, Noelleena Savelio, Tamiya Scott, Leilani Stempa-Gray, Ella-Grace Churchward, Jaeda Kassey, Viena Masoe, Delta Tuleaga-Chadwick, Jayleen Kalolo, Leah Ah-Ken, Mya Tipene-Tagoa'I, Myracle Tala, Jada Perez-Cant, Maia Davids, Coddina Nanauava, Uryah Time, Jaylin Lelei, Nadene Malaki, Sarah Tiatia, Kiana Uriarau, Erin Henley, Brooke Morgan, Jada Skipper-King, Moala Fifita, Tutaiamoa Emeline Pusa, Keira Smith, Jaden Asiata, Jessica Patea, Lordes Tanoa'i
Premier Award (donated by SHC Tokelau families) - Jaden Asiata

Te Kanava - Cultural Excellence Awards

This award recognises Pacific cultural leadership and excellence through Poly club. Te Kanava is a native tree that flourishes in the forests of Tokelau. Its roots are well grounded, the timber is resilient to withstand all elements, and was used to make traditional fishing canoes providing for the family and village.
Te Kanava therefore symbolises a student anchored in mana, strength and service to others from the heart.
Nominees - Emerita Vena, Joelyn Tanidrala, Sydney Roma, Shalom Manusina, Eslinari Patea, Fagaina Mateo, Lanuola Pedersen, Mia-Loine So’otaga, Kema Leo-Ioapo, Amelia Tangata’olakepa, Arlani Bird, Genesis White, Nevaeh Hetutu-Bahm, Davania Chadwick, Bettylicia Sa'u, Reeney Nocido, Delta Tuleaga Chadwick, Jayla Leleisiuao, Louise Cocker, Keira Churchward, Aaliyah Hetutu-Bahm, Uryah Time, Violet Faasoa, Chyna Tuiavi’i-Pona, Jaylin Lelei, Thea Allena Hernandez, Jahna Lelei, Moala Fifita, Lydia Sa'u, Fa’afetai Kerstin Leleisiuao, Moriah Sopoaga, Isabella Lologa, Jazel Wilson, Shayal Singh, Tutaiamoa Emeline Pusa, Daisy Enriquez
Premier Award (donated by Tylah Lui-Pelasio, the inaugural Mana Pasifika Supreme Award recipient) - Emerita Vena

Mana Pasifika Supreme Award
This student isn't defined by the smallness of their island but by their greatness of their identity. They are proud of who they are, they display great strength, when faced with challenges and they continue to flourish in their leadership. This student consistently shows resilience, nobility and social solidarity.
Premier Award (donated by SHC BOT, Hon Ginny Andersen MP and Tuitala Law Ltd - Law and Consultancy Services) - Jaden Asiata 

Mana Pasifika Supreme Award
Miss Levaea Lia's speech from the Pacific Success Evening:

"Before I talk upon the behind scenes of the Mana Pasifika award. I would like to acknowledge Ms Taeao for all the hard work she has put into making Mana Pasifika happen for all our young Pasifika women who have represented themselves, their family, and the school community. I would also like to acknowledge Uncle Roland Daymond (Te Ati Awa and Ngati Toa Rangatira) – the master mind behind the carving of the Mana Pasifika Supreme award. Shoutout to Aunty Yvonne Daymond for keeping us on our toes and supporting all our ideas to make sure the waka hoe was what we had imagined.

Collaboratively Roland and I designed and carved this waka hoe for the school as a token of our appreciation to all the Pacific queens that are navigating their way through their own journeys, embracing their individual strengths/imperfections, and remain connected with who they are. As young Pasifika women we are a representation not only of ourselves, but also our families, the generations that paved the way before us. So, in the designing process I drew inspiration from my family, my late Grandfather and Nana that is seated in the crowd. It has been an honour to be a part of the design process:

• We chose the shape of a paddle to show that as Pacific people our ancestors were voyagers, that voyaged across the oceans from island to island and landed here in Aotearoa.
• The paddle is made from native Totara wood. The totara is prized above all other trees by Māori who use it for making waka, houses, tools, weapons, and musical instruments. Because of its values and special properties, the totara is also a symbol of nobility, chieftainship, and social solidarity. 
• Pasifika people were travellers that were guided by the tides, the birds, and the stars. The paua shells we see through the centre of the paddle shows the navigation of our people through the Pacific Ocean. Although parted by the ocean and displaying uniqueness. We’ve come together as one nation, in one ocean and one community.
• The frigate birds interlocked with one another to represent the strength of our communities bound together as one.
• The leaves surrounding the frigate birds are inspired by the leaves you see on the Sacred Heart College school crest.
• Each pattern that we can see holds a different cultural value, family memory and tells a unique story for everyone that is gathered here tonight. These patterns represent unity, strength, identity, and family."

“We should not be defined by the smallness of islands, but in the greatness of our oceans. We are the sea; we are the ocean. Oceania is us” – Epeli Hau’ofa.