Pacific ākonga share their voice
From left to right, Rhys Whippy, Ioana Marsters, Jessie Adamson (front) Maru Poa Tereu (front), Melisa Fotu (Kaiarahi Pacific), Maxinne Salele, Myana Tuakana and Maluseu Monise (Kaiarahi Pacific)
Other members who are absent: Tia Mihaere, Melelita Momo, Jeremii Lavasi'i, Charity Tamaseu and Shirlyann Fuata.
Lumitugetha is our Pacific ākonga (learner) leadership group. They are a group of students who have either been recipients of our Peta Karalus Scholarships or they have demonstrated leadership qualities within our organisation.
For Wintec | Te Pūkenga to have a collective voice from its students this group was set up to help build leadership and give ākonga the opportunity to have their say.
Melisa Fotu, Kaiārahi - Pacific (community and partnership), facilitates the group that meet once a month.
The Orie Pacific team wanted to affirm the organic leadership skills that they see in their ākonga and remind them of their natural capabilities through this group.
Lumitugetha was established in 2021.
Oire Pacific have a collective decision-making model that involves Lumitugetha, Wansolwara (Pacific kaimahi reference group) and Manu Moana (External Pacific leadership collective) that affirms a collaborative approach to Pacific development.
Lumitugetha allows learner voice to support developing initiatives that meet their needs, eliminate barriers to accessing learning and support, and creating environments for learning that are safe and supportive.
Lumitugetha members have engaged in working alongside Oire Pacific to initiate language week activities, facilitate Pacific fono, including stakeholders and partner gatherings. Some have role modelled opportunities, including application for the Prime Minister Scholarships - which promise overseas experiences, and have rarely seen Pacific applicants.
If you are interested in being involved in Lumitugetha you can send in an expression of interest by emailing Melisa at melisa.fotu@wintec.ac.nz. There are limited spaces.
