A goddess of war just entered the room

Have you heard of Nafanua? Well, she just walked in the room. Nafanua, well-known in Sāmoan and Pacific circles as one of the most revered of deities, a Goddess of war, is a phenomenal figure that has been an inspiration for me, throughout my time as a student at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and now, a year in to my role as the University’s first Pacific woman appointed to Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific.

I began in my new role not long after the 2021 appointment of Honourable Afioga Fiamē Mata’afa, Sāmoa’s first woman Prime Minister and the second woman to lead a Pacific nation. The appointment of Aotearoa’s first Pacific Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Carmel Sepuloni, a powerhouse who identifies with Sāmoan, Tongan, and New Zealand European heritage, is another historical milestone for Pacific peoples.

Growing up, women in politics was a rarity; currently with 10 Pacific politicians in Parliament, six of them women, the appointment of Sepuloni, only the third woman appointed to Deputy Prime Minister in Aotearoa, is significant to me in myriad ways. This includes that, coming from humble beginnings, she has reached a point in her life traditionally considered unattainable by women, let alone Pacific women. Her appointment speaks volumes to Pacific women, young and mature, with political aspirations and for all women in leadership.

In her maiden speech in 2008, Sepuloni stated, "There have been times when I have felt immense levels of anger due to the unnecessary failure of the education system to adequately cater to our people’s needs. Conversely, I have seen some incredibly innovative teaching and learning practices and the positive impact that this has had on individuals and whole groups of people. I have had the privilege of meeting, teaching, and mentoring some of the most inspiring Māori and Pacific people, both young and old. I have been inspired by their success in navigating their way through tertiary study to achieve at the highest levels.”

She goes on to proclaim:

“I deplore the deficit lens being held so intently over our Pasifika communities. Although there are issues that must be addressed, I strongly believe that their resolution can come from adopting and adapting best practice where our people have successfully overcome challenges, and there are many.”

Sepuloni captured our attention then and has done so once again, giving youth, our students and their educators hope.

This is a person who lost the Waitakere electorate to Paula Bennett in 2011 after a judicial recount who, after a stint as chief executive for Vaka Tautua (a national ‘by Pacific, for Pacific’ mental health, disability, and social services provider), to then return in full force to Parliament in 2014, rising to the front bench and taking on the mammoth responsibility of the social development portfolio and the role of junior whip. Maya Angelou’s poem, ‘Still I Rise”, a poem that uplifts me in the face of day-to-day harries, comes to mind.

Like any politician, there will be critics and criticism. It comes with the territory, as our former prime minister knows too well, having been subjected to vile vitriol and misogyny. By no means is this condoned, but Sepuloni is one tough cookie and I know she’s up for it. Irrespective of political alliances, she is deputising for our country, and in an election year, which isn’t an easy task for any politician.

At home, we have displayed in our kitchen a war club that was presented to me by the staff of Pacific Studies, on my exodus from academic head into the Pro Vice-Chancellor role. It was gifted courtesy of Vava’u Carving House, created by Master carver Lātu Tangulu and designed and detailed by Pacific Studies postgraduate student and Tongan community leader, Caroline (Kalo) Matamua.

It is the representation of one of four war clubs gifted to Nafanua by her father Saveasuileo. The narrative is that the first club, the Ulimasao, was used as a boat to sail to Sāmoa from Pūlotu (the underworld), depicting courageous leadership: the second, the Fa’auliulito, for use in battle, represents a leader that heals and maintains peace; the third war club was the Tafesilafa’i, the one I humbly received, the deadliest of the four, and her first and primary weapon, to be used solely against enemies. This club symolises a fighter for good, a protector of negative energy, a teacher of justice and the club Nafanua raised in victory; and the fourth, the Fa’amategataua, is forspecific use, once the enemies have  been defeated and the mālo (government) and order have been established.

Objects embody many things, and this measina (treasure), is overwhelmingly powerful to me, as it sends us on our way each day and a reminder on those challenging days upon returning home; that whatever our purpose, our people are with us and that our responsibilities and service go far beyond ourselves.

So you see, when you have the support of many to help carry you and role models who completely smash glass ceilings, how can you not dare to dream – and dream big! Prime minister can be a reality (even if it starts off with a conversation in a garage).

Find out more about Nafanua in Women of Power - Samoan Goddess Nafanua