Pacific Fono celebrates 20 years of service to tauira

The inaugural Lalanga e Ako ’ae Māori moe Pacific Fono 2025, was a three-day event dedicated to strengthening Māori and Pacific postgraduate success.

Held from 26–28 November at the new Ngā Tauira Marae, the Fono was organised by Te Fale Pouāwhina, Student and Scholarly Services, bringing together tauira, staff, alumni, researchers and international guests for talanoa, wānanga ako and whanaungatanga.

Team Leader/Kaitiaki Darlene Cameron says the Fono was a celebration of collective achievement and also honoured Learning Advisers, couple Matt Tarawa and Mona O’Shea, for their long-serving contribution at the University.

“This was a celebration of identity, resilience and collective achievement,” said Cameron.

Tarawa (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) and O’Shea (‘Uiha and Haveluloto, Tonga) together have dedicated two decades of service to Māori and Pacific students.

For 20 years, the couple have walked alongside thousands of tauira (students), many of whom now serve as academics, community leaders, public servants and specialists in fields across Aotearoa and the Pacific. Their work has been grounded in kanohi ki te kanohi support, deep cultural understanding and a powerful commitment to uplifting the next generation of Indigenous scholars.

From one-on-one academic mentoring, to facilitating postgraduate writing retreats, to supporting students through personal, family, and cultural pressures, their contribution has shaped the academic journeys of multiple cohorts.

Despite the immense impact of their careers, both were characteristically humble when acknowledged.

“Seeing our tauira move confidently into these spaces, whether as students, staff or academics, makes us proud.

It’s about loving people as best we can, and creating spaces where they feel seen, heard and valued,” said Matt and Mona.

Their recognition at the Fono highlighted not only their longevity, but the intergenerational ripple effect of their service, a legacy now woven through Māori and Pacific scholarship at the University.

Navigating colonised spaces

The University's Associate Professor Sereana Naepi was a guest speaker at the Fono, she delivered a powerful workshop on navigating colonised spaces. Her presentation explored how Māori and Pacific scholars can stay true to their cultural values, while carving pathways to success in environments often shaped by Western norms.

“It’s about understanding the challenges of working in a colonised space and finding strategies to thrive without compromising who you are,” said Associate Professor Naepi.

Celebrating a diverse global whānau

Fono attendees represented a rich tapestry of whakapapa and cultural heritage, travelling from American First Nations communities, African American communities, Australian First Nations, Chinese Hun, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Jewish communities, Kanaka Maoli, Mexico, the Philippines, Sāmoa, Tahiti, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga and Aotearoa.

Cameron said their presence affirmed the Fono’s central theme: the collective responsibility to honour connections to tūpuna while creating pathways for future generations.

Guiding the event was the Fijian proverb: “Ki Namuka vata ga nikua” – We will all reach Namuka today.

A reminder that the measure of success lies not in who arrives first, but in ensuring that everyone arrives together.

Cameron acknowledged the support from across the University that enabled the launch of the inaugural event, including the offices of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori and Pacific, Tuākana Science, School of Graduate Studies, Kiwi Harvest, Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga, Te Puni Kōkiri and Leadership Through Learning.

She acknowledged and gave thanks to: Veronika (Roni) Iloilo, Programme Lead for Leadership Through Learning, Learning Assistants, Fay Nanai, Kohu Hakaraia, Campus Care and CDES, Ngā Tauira Marae team and all the guest speakers, researchers, and facilitators.

“Their contributions inspire future pathways for Māori and Pacific students and reflect the aroha and collaboration that drive Te Tumu Herenga forward.”