Welcome to Pacific Connect

Kia ora

Welcome to the May 2022 issue of Pacific Connect - The Careerforce newsletter for our Pacific learners.

Youth worker leads by example through workplace training

When youth worker Futi Ka describes his career, he refers to the Samoan proverb ‘o le ala i le pule o le tautua’ (The pathway to leadership is through service). Futi said, “If I look at my career, it’s been just that.”

The Ōtara-born father of three has recently completed his apprenticeship in Community Facilitation (Youth Work) through Careerforce.

Not only did he finish the Level 4 programme much faster than the average duration, but he also motivated his team of youth workers at Quality Education Services to do the apprenticeship with him: “I’m all for professional development for the team,” he said.

It’s an impressive achievement for someone who used to hate studying.
“I always struggled in school with my education and found it hard to focus in class”, Futi said, “I was dropped a year level and finished high school with only my NCEA Level 2, which I barely met the mark for.”

“Once I started the training with Careerforce, I realised the learning tied directly to the experience. It validated and sharpened what I was doing in terms of leading and guiding."

Mālo le soifua maua, ma le lagi e mamā. Warm pacific greetings,

O lo’u igoa o Miriama Fetu. O lo’u Tamā mai le afioaga o Falelatai, a’o lo’u Tinā e sau mai le nu’u o Saleimoa. Māua ma lo’u to’alua, e to’alima le ma fanau, mā e to’atasi fo’i le fanau a le mā ulumatua. Matou te nonofo i Karaiesetete, o lo’o mā galulue fa’atasi ai, mo le suafa manumalo o Iesu Keriso i le Ekalesia Metotisi o Samoa.

My name is Miriama Fetu. My parents are from the villages of Falelatai and Saleimoa. I am a proud Samoan, born in New Zealand. My husband and I currently live in Christchurch, and together we have five beautiful children and one blessing of a granddaughter. We currently serve spiritually to our Lord Jesus Christ, at a Samoan Methodist Church.

I am honoured to be appointed your new Pacific Coordinator. Allow me to be the person you call on, for extra support in all areas of your learning (or for a casual coffee/feed lol). Let us meet and discuss your learning journey and together with the support of our Pasefika team, see you across the finish line. I will look forward to meeting you.

Soifua, ma ia manuia.

Miriama's contact details are:

miriama.fetu@careerforce.org.nz

+64 3 966 7407

Mālo ni,

My Dad (Papa), Pesamino Pereira (Tulafono birth name) was born in Fakaofo, Tokelau and adopted by his aunty, Ana Pereira, in Samoa. Papa identifies as Samoan and speaks both languages. We have recently connected with Papa’s Tokelauan aiga, which has been a special identity journey for us all.

My Mum Clare Pereira (Sutton) is NZ European. I was very much brought up the palangi way, as Papa felt this was best for us to ‘fit in’. Therefore, I don’t know my Papa’s languages.

I am married to a Cook Island/Māori, Martin Childs (Henry). Martin was also adopted by a lovely palangi family. He has connected with his Mum Betty, who is Māori and from Bluff and recently connected with his Cook Island family. I’m lucky to have two beautiful mother-in-laws.

Between us, Martin and myself have eight talented, gorgeous children. My first born, Mitch, now has angel wings, and I feel he visits me often. We have three 11 year old children still at home. The adult children visit often to go shopping in our pantry and freezer. They also miss Muma’s cooking. I miss the chaos of having ten people at the dinner table every night.

I have 25 years of experience in adult education in varied roles and 12 years working in harm/violence prevention, intervention, self-defence education. In both roles, I had involvement with my Pasifika community. I have been working for Careerforce for about 5 months now as a Learning Engagement Advisor based in Invercargill. As you can imagine we are blessed with our team leader, Laloifi. I am passionate about education for our Pasifika people.

Talofa lava,

O lo’u igoa o (my name is) Korelli Mulitalo. I have recently joined the Careerforce aiga (family), as a Learning Engagement Advisor. I am very excited to be in this role and it wraps around most of my skills in previous positions. I'm excited to learn more from my experienced team - I am being biased, but I think I work in the best team at Careerforce!

I am full Samoan, and my nana comes from a village called Salelologa which has the main port on the Island of Savai’i (Outer Big Island). My grandfather's family comes from Taufusi and Pago Pago (American Samoa).

What has really inspired me in life is that my grandparents moved to New Zealand to give their future generations opportunities that they didn’t have. Both my grandparents have worked in labour intensive work (manufacturing) for over 15 years in New Zealand (without pay rises), and unfortunately did not have the learning opportunities through employment, like with what opportunities we have now. That’s why I’m really excited about being in this space and giving back to our people from all walks of life, and helping them grow themselves and their aiga (family).

I look forward to connecting with you soon!
Tōfā soifua,
Korelli.

Talofa lava and warm greetings,

My name is Rose Finau and I am so excited to join Careerforce as the People & Capability Coordinator, fixed term til April 2023.

I’m a New Zealand born Samoan raised in Upper Hutt. I've been married to Tai Moananu for 22 years, together 26 years. We share three children and a precious granddaughter.

I’m often asked, "What’s the secret to a long marriage?" Very simple really...

Two golden rules:

The wife is always right.
When you feel she is wrong, slap yourself and read rule number 1 again.😀

I’m especially thrilled to be part of an amazing Pacifica network too! Love it! I truly look forward to starting this journey with you all.

Ia manuia, bless
Rose