Malosi Project Article: University of Auckland

Talofa Lava, on the 29th of August our Pasifika students; AStella D’Souza (12SA), Kiara Lafeaele (12IN), Katana Renata (12RE), Aloima Taumataga (12RE), Jasmine McCourt (12SA) Jonathan Pa;u (13TL), Bishop Maagi (13TL), Benjamin Bentley (13TL), were given the opportunity to attend the Malosi Project. 

The Malosi Project are; ‘Pacific Law Students at the University of Auckland dedicated to educating, empowering and equipping our Pacific Youth & Communities with the tools to overcome social injustice. We have 4 branches that are used as tools to engage with our Pacific people and the wider community: (1) School Workshops - Our school workshops branch looks at engaging, connecting and empowering young pacific students (2) Community Workshops - Our community workshops also looks at engaging, connecting and empowering pacific communities within the pacific. (3) The Malosi Blog (www.themalosiproject.com) - Having a blog keeps the wider community engaged with pacific issues. The blog is written and maintained by Pacific law students from the university (4) Policy Submissions - Looking to engage with policy and policy makers in order to influence legislation that does not cater or provide for the needs and values of pacific island communities.’  

Going into the University of Auckland campus, I could feel that the energy was low as there were alot of attendees that we did not know from other schools. However, as we stepped into the Fale Pasifika we were greeted with singing and happy faces from the humble volunteers that were there to not only cheer us up but to support us with what we are planning to do in the future. While seated we were given a presentation of what the Malosi Project is and their passion for encouraging the younger Pasifika community to attend University, hopefully pursuing Law. I could already feel that the energy began to rise as we started the day off with a prayer. 

To break the tension between the attendees, the Malosi split us into different groups with corresponding colours to indicate which group we are in. In our groups we were given activities called “ice-breakers” and competed against the other groups. Although we had just met each other, with the help of the volunteers it was almost as if each group had known each other for most of their lives. Each group was given a task to sing along with the word or category that the leader Vika will provide us. At first we thought that the activity was going to be awkward and everyone was going to be too shy to sing along. But that was further from the truth, everyone partook in the activity and matched everyone else's energy, the ice-breaker was a great way of introducing each other to others from the same community. 

Moreover, each team was then given the next task of coming up with a group chant that had some resemblance to our respective colours. Seeing everyone put 100% effort into their chants and bringing the vibes was very motivating to match the same energy as the thought of judgement was out of the question. Even when spectating each other's chants everyone would also hype up each other, giving everyone confidence and a chance to shine. The highlight of the ice breaker was definitely seeing everyone's face light up, laughing, cheering and hyping each other up making sure that everyone did not feel left out. 

As a way of introducing the students into what Law looks like in a courtroom, we were split back into our colours and challenged another colour in court trying to figure out who was the culprit for the burning of the Otara community centre. Each group was given a case study about evidence at the scene of the crime. Alongside three potential suspects each group had to talk amongst each other and discuss who they believe is the culprit for the burning of the Otara community centre. Moreover, we were given only 10 minutes to question each suspect about their testimonies and where they were at the scene of the crime, each story contradicting the other to challenge our thinking of who is telling the truth and who is lying. The activity was a fun learning experience of what pursuing Law will look like in the future and wish to become a lawyer. 

As a last activity, the boys and girls were split into two different groups and sat around in a circle with everyone in their respective groups facing each other. While in our circle we talked about our school life and what we were planning to do in the future, it was especially important because most of the students that attended were both year 12 and 13. The talk was both humbling and an eye opener as we were able to talk with students from the same community as us, also talking about our different backgrounds and future endeavours. The talk was also insightful as the volunteers also opened up about their experiences with University, about their struggles, and what pathways they decided to take that may have related to some of the people in the circle. The volunteers also talked about the University of Auckland's diverse groups that we can join to make our studying at the university more enjoyable and warming.   

Finally, to end off the day we were provided a lot of food and performances from the different cultural groups that the University of Auckland has. Not only was the food delicious, but the dancing and singing from the different groups was breathtaking. What a way to end the day.

Thank you to Mr Fa’avesi Talamaivao for the opportunity of allowing us to take part in the Malosi Project, it was a magnificent event that allowed us Pasifika students to experience what studying Law at the University of Auckland is going to be like. A huge thank you also to the people behind the Malosi Project and the volunteers that sacrificed their time to make sure that our time at the event was memorable. The event was both memorable and enlightening to those Pasifika students that wish to study Law and or attend university. I highly recommend attending the Malosi Project as it has reinforced our understanding of University and has given us an idea of what we wish to do in the future. 

Fa’afetai Lava 

Jonathan Pa’u (13TL), Bishop Maagi (13TL), Benjamin Bentley (13TL)