(Picture caption: Close to 150 students and their aiga celebrate the completion of the Toloa Niu Wave Wellbeing programme, at an event in Papatoetoe.)
Improving the education experience for Pacific young people is at the heart of Toloa Niu Wave Wellbeing Programme, which inspires and supports tertiary and secondary school students pursuing STEAM studies.
On October 25, close to 150 students from the Auckland region graduated from the programme, celebrating a year-long journey of empowerment and enhancement in the areas of leadership, cultural identity, relationships, mental health, spirituality, and community.
The students are either Toloa Tertiary or Toloa Secondary School Scholarship recipients, and as part of their scholarship package, must complete the Niu Wave programme.
Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, who spoke at the graduation event, says it is widely believed the future is in STEAM-focused areas, and Pacific voices need to be heard loudly and Pacific perspectives seen clearly in these fields.
“We also know the flow-on effect of our Pacific young people succeeding in STEAM areas will be substantial, and whole communities will be enabled and empowered to thrive.
“Toloa recognises young Pacific learners not only have diverse learning backgrounds but also unique community ties and life experiences,” Gerardine says.
“Therefore, taking a comprehensive approach is crucial to fostering their academic success.”
Last year, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) Toloa initiative joined forces with Le Va, who based the Niu Wave programme on enhancing youth wellbeing through a holistic approach.
“Experienced youth coordinators lead workshops, ensuring youth are connected, celebrated, and provided with further support when needed,” Gerardine explains.
“By completing seven workshops, students strengthen their self-worth, cultural identity, community ties, spirituality, leadership, and acquire valuable coping strategies.”
This year, the Niu Wave programme expanded to include Tertiary scholars as well as secondary school scholars, with the graduation event bringing them and their aiga together to mark the occasion.
“Pursuing STEAM opens a world of possibilities for young Pacific people and landing careers in these areas are the way forward in a world driven by technology and innovation,” Gerardine says.
“Pacific people have been underrepresented in the STEAM fields for a long time and the Ministry - along with the likes of Le Va, are working hard to change this scenario.”
Meanwhile, also speaking at the event was Le Va's Chief Executive Denise Kingi-Ulu'ave, and 17-year-old Sacred Heart College student Tonga Helu, 17, who along with his brother Etikeni, 16, each successfully applied for a Toloa Secondary Scholarship, to help them achieve their STEAM dreams, and relieve their family of financial burden.
Tonga says his scholarship is supporting his dream of completing an aerospace engineering degree and maybe one day, a masters in the subject, while Etikeni is also using his scholarship to pursue engineering and design.
The brothers hope to inspire other Pacific young people to pursue careers in STEAM, and make a positive change in the world.
Congratulations to all our Niu Wave graduates in Auckland and around Aotearoa.
Visit the MPP website for more information on the Toloa initiative.