While aged only 22 years old herself, New Zealand-born Tongan Tala’inga Kama (pictured) hopes she can impart some of her experience and knowledge to positively and practically effect change for Pacific youth.
“It would be a huge achievement to inspire confidence in our youth and encourage them to be successful drivers of their respective pathways,” Tala’inga adds.
The Baradene College of the Sacred Heart old girl was born and raised in Papatoetoe, and recently completed her fourth year of a Law/Arts conjoint degree at the University of Auckland.
Tala’inga is one of five interns who have recently joined the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) and will work alongside the Northern Partnerships team for the next three months.
She is excited about the internship, which came about after friends and cousins encouraged her to apply for the Tupu Toa programme.
Tupu Toa is an employment pathway providing professional opportunities for Māori and Pacific tertiary students in corporate, government and community organisations, facilitated by securing 12-week paid-internships with partner organisations.
The desire is for the internship to convert into fulltime employment once the interns graduate.
Tala’inga knew she wanted to intern where she resonated with the organisation’s purpose.
“I made sure to let Tupu Toa know I was looking for anything that advanced positive outcomes for Pacific communities in New Zealand,” she adds.
“When my navigator found MPP, it seemed like a perfect fit.”
Over the next three months, Tala’inga hopes to gain a clearer understanding of the Ministry’s role as well as get a feel for the wider public service sector, she says.
“I also look forward to engaging where I can with the community – in whatever way that looks like.”
Although, she is not 100 percent sure of what the future holds for her, Tala’inga says she wants to combine her Law degree and passion for Pacific youth and education.
“In truth, I don’t know what this will look like, but I’m hopeful my future involves these pathways - I would hope to positively impact Pacific Aotearoa by working in spaces that will practically effect change for New Zealand’s Pacific youth.”