(Picture caption: Mary Ieremia-Allan's aunts and mum celebrate her success at the Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards. L-R Tu’aali’i Tufue Pisa-Savali, Wanda Ieremia-Allan, Mary, Leota Avao Tiatia, Perise Iupeli.)
Humility is definitely one of Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award (PMPYA) winner Mary Ieremia-Allan’s strong points.
The 19-year-old from Hamilton is a firm believer the act of serving others first-hand in the community is far more important than gaining recognition for it.
Of Samoan and South African descent, Mary was recently acknowledged for her service at the 2022 PMPYA ceremony as one of two recipients of the Community Star category.
“Accolades and achievements are great, but first-hand service in our communities is more important,” Mary says.
Despite her humility, she says the award is significant as it is an opportunity to recognise those who have supported her journey to date, and who she continues to admire.
The talented young woman has devoted much of her life to captaining national sports teams, leading orchestras, choreographing siva Samoa, leading youth in church, tutoring in academia and pioneering initiatives in youth politics.
In 2022, she also initiated the inaugural Hamilton City Council chambers youth submission around the effects the Council’s financial plan had on young people.
Currently, she is employed part-time at ANZ Head Offices in Auckland CBD with the Sponsorship team, and as part of the PMPYA, Mary is working at Auckland Council on alternate days.
This year, Mary will commence her first year of a Design degree at Massey University in Wellington to pursue her career aspirations.
“I was raised in a household where education was of utmost importance,” Mary says.
“Anyone who has been to our home knows we lack space for any more books, art, sculpture or musical instruments – and yet it simply does not stop my mother or father.
“Every Saturday, after going to the laundromat as a family, we don't just return home with our fresh washing and bakery pastries, but we return with a new shelf of books scavenged from the op shops that mum said were ‘too rare to leave behind’.
“We get home, fold the washing, and start reading the latest find on how ineloquent Captain Cook was.”
Mary and her siblings have had the most incredible childhood, growing up with vast knowledge and perspectives, she adds.
They were taught from a young age that making a difference in the community was a lifestyle.
“It is not a side project or a CV filler, it is simply a form of care through action, where we serve and learn from those around us.
“The only way we were taught to make a difference, was to hear the stories of people around us who already had or learnt from their failures, to do just that.”
Mary hopes to see the love of learning and education among Pacific people increase in Aotearoa, as well as empowering young people to see their aspirations as doable.
“Part of this happening is being active in communities,” she continues.
“Seeing a face on TV is well and good, but when that face is not seen at local events or seemingly insignificant gatherings, the importance of the words they say on a loudspeaker starts to fade.
“Pacific peoples have a duty to show people what it looks like to have national leaders, who are also servers in their own homes.
“We have a duty to show people what it looks like to be ambitious and driven young people, while always prioritising family and respecting all people first and foremost,” she says.
Visit the MPP website for more information on the PMPYA.