2024 Young, Free & Pacific Female Day

On Thursday 23rd May, nine Senior Pasifika students, Edie, Dora, Moana, Tiana, Mena, Vainiaku, Mikayla and Ili were selected to attend an influential leadership conference, ‘Young Free and Pacific’ Female day which celebrated its 10-year anniversary at the C3 Church in Ellerslie.

The conference brought together young Pacific women across a variety of schools in Auckland. The day was filled with inspirational guest speakers, performances, various workshops, some good talanoa and food. 

A key highlight of the day having the prestigious double Olympic Shot Put Gold Medalist, Dame Valerie Kasanita Adams DNZM, as the first guest speaker for the day. Dame Valerie shared her life story, her own personal struggles and obstacles that debilitated her and how she overcame them to achieve success. Dame Valerie and other guest speakers inspired students to feel empowered and confident outside of the classroom.

At the end of the day students were encouraged to speak up and share their own insights from the workshops in Music, Dance and Written Word. For many of our students this was the highlight of the day; seeing other young Pasifika women their own age performing songs and sharing their poetry. There were tears, laughs and a lot of applauding, but more importantly students felt valued being in an encouraging and supportive environment, comfortable to embrace their identity, both as a woman and as Pasifika. 

Fa’afetai lava for Miss Yates, Miss Tolovaá and Mr Talamaivao for organizing us and transporting us safely there and back.

by Ms Yates