First Class visit to Papakura Marae...

During the weekend, I had the privilege of taking my class to visit a local marae called Papakura Marae. 

It was to be my first time visiting there, but its reputation preceded it, as I had heard about all of the neat community work they did during the COVID-19 lockdown some years ago.

I was the van driver, as we only had a van full of students; we didn't need to use the other two vans that had been booked, as others were catching up with their work back on campus.

It was also a privilege to have had a family of three associated with the marae and another who worked at the marae and joined my class last year. There, I had promised that I would bring a class not only to visit but to get to spend a half day there to learn about the marae and the opportunities that it offers its community.

We were formally welcomed onto the marae with a powhiri (māori welcoming ceremony), with two ladies of our group who were able to karanga (special female call) in kind, and one of our group who was fluent in te reo (language) Māori was able to respond and thank the marae representatives for welcoming us into their space.

We enjoyed having morning tea and lunch there at their beautiful whare kai or place of eating. I must say that I enjoyed their meals as it was cooked with a lot of  'love' compared to the catered food that we usually receive on campus. There I was able to catch up with two of my former students, and it was so neat to see how far they had gone with their practices.

We were taken on a tour around the marae and got to learn about the different carvings and pou (poles), their names and the stories behind them. I also learned that a lot of the carvings had been carved through a relationship that they had with TWOA Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where I currently work, and it was through a programme like mine that students and their teacher were able to plan and carve out the pou.

We learned that there were at least 62 services that the marae offers to its community that were not only for their Māori communities but also for non-Māori. They also gave a copy of their publication about the marae's backstory.

My students absolutely enjoyed themselves for our fieldwork excursion and we also got to learn a lot along the way, so much so, that when it was discussed the following day in class with the rest who hadn't been able to attend - there was so much to share and I was so glad that I was able to share that learning opportunity with them...
 

Congratulations on law degree graduation of eldest...

 

Congratulations to our eldest child who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from AUT University this morning.

It was a mad rush to get to the University, located in the CBD (Central Business District), to grab our family tickets and then be seated at the Aotea Centre, awaiting the start of the graduation ceremony.

It was encouraging to see the other graduands with many families seated around, and when it came time for our graduand to cross the stage, we all stood up (7 of us) and sang "Ua fa'afetai..."

I had already prepped our group to stand up and sing loudly and even encouraged my beloved to lead the song, as I'd be able to harmonise loudly, which we did. It was also encouraging that our graduand said that she could hear us from afar and that we were in tune!

We later drove over the shore to a lovely restaurant in Devonport by the wharf to have a late lunch with our new graduate, her maternal gran (my mum), our family and her friends. She had been at the Museum taking photos, which I've witnessed over the years as many taking graduate photos there.

There were several gifts that she received i.e. three cakes, including a cutting cake, beautiful flower bouquets, a graduation teddy bear, some measina that my beloved brought back from Samoa i.e. carved replica weapons, many leis to name a few. With lots of well wishes for the future ahead ...

Live action "Moana"...

 

Last night, I went with my youngest to watch the highly anticipated 'live-action' Moana movie that still stands as my fave all-time Disney production. It featured Dwayne Johnson as the better-looking character of Maui, and Moana was played by the debut of Catherine Laga'aia.

It was so interesting to watch because I knew of Catherine's Samoan grandparents who attended my birth church with our families until they both passed on. Catherine's Samoan features so embodied her grandparents, and I can see that they live on in her, and they would have been so proud of her too.

They made wonderful contributions as actors of Samoan/Pasifika descent to the story of our ancestors' wayfinding voyaging, and craftsmanship of seafaring vessels that brought them as pioneering explorers to establish thriving islands in the Pasifika long before Captain Cook's voyages.

I am so pleased that this generation of young people (and some of us oldies) also get to hear/view/read of such amazing explorations that have brought us the cultural practices and considerations that we have today that set us apart from other cultures as our point of difference/s.

Yes, absolutely enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it as a family-friendly movie to watch. It was also very interesting to see the intertwining of Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan etc. dance moves, Pasifika actors and art. An array of what makes us proud Pasifika peoples...

Celebrating Matariki 2026...

 

Happy Matariki! It's been interesting to observe the uptake of many in Aotearoa New Zealand to celebrate Matariki, which is known as the star cluster that rises and is visible to announce the traditional Māori new year.

Even in Shopping Malls, as pictured here, there are displays to explain Matariki and the nine stars that make up the cluster, with different properties associated with each.

I've also heard of some who choose not to celebrate it, but I think it's because they may not understand or have been told about the importance that the celebration entails.

From a video that I watched recently on social media by Prof. Rangi Matamua, he explains that in its essence it's about three things:

1. Remembering those who have passed since the last Matariki or even those dearly beloved.

2. Celebrating the presence of whānau/families today and being (for me) grateful to have this time together over a special meal.

3. Future-focused in planning for the year ahead and where you'd like to be (by next Matariki).

That's it in a nutshell, and I'm encouraged as a New Zealander and SamoaNZ that such indigenous knowledge is validated with holidays that now exist to not only be relevant to my life today but also for those to know that Te Ao Māori (worldviews) are relevant for us as a nation...

Toy Story 5 Review...

 

    

It was quite a surprise when I found out that Disney and Pixar were launching a Toy Story 5 movie, having watched the movie from the beginning before having children and then having them grow up and watching the movie franchise.

I watched it last night with my younger two, and we were pleasantly surprised as we didn't quite know what to expect. We were especially interested in wondering how they would treat the idea of technology taking away from the focus on playing outside, and make-believe, etc.

It was very encouraging and a reminder of what it was like to play as a child before technology came around. It was also interesting for me to reflect on how different it was for me as a child, enjoying playing outside all day on a Saturday and not coming inside until it was evening.

I see the differences in Samoa when I'm visiting, where there are fewer children on devices, and they are out playing or engaging with each other. It's a reminder that with the advancement of technology that children should be encouraged to take time out to enjoy the natural world around them...

Gift acknowledging PhD graduation...

This week, I received a beautiful gift of a kete (basket) and paua (abalone) shell earrings in acknowledgement of completing my PhD.

It was such a surprise, and I was able to humbly thank my manager on behalf of 'Te Manawa Houkura' (the name of our Indigenous Research team) at our campus.

It's been quite a journey, now that I'm completing my nemesis degree and considering the many other interests and pursuits I have. 

With more tala or stories to retell, more books to write, edit and publish, some exhibitions to consider and my usual handicrafts that are cyclical.

I'm also encouraged that my work doesn't stop with the completion of my thesis but that it continues in supporting other students, and particularly those who are from indigenous cultures, to continue in their studies.

I'm also looking forward to the end of the year, when there are plans for an end-of-year graduation party, but that is still to be confirmed, with many other things happening in the interim and particularly for my eldest graduating with a law degree at the end of this month.

So never a dull moment with a two-week holiday break for the degree and post-grad' students and for me to catch up on marking those who are catching up on their assessments...

Guest Speaker at Careers Expo 2026, at Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane...

  
This week, I had the privilege of being one of three guest speakers at an 'Inspiring the Future' event at the annual Careers Expo, which went over a two-day period that many Auckland secondary school students attended.

In the session that I attended, there were students from the Deaf Education school and two other local high schools. The two other speakers were also women, with one who was a Car collision specialist (mechanic) and a Scientist.

It was also neat that my three children attended with me as well and gave their support, as well as having a look around at all of the stalls of different universities, Technology Institutes, various career pathways, with lots of giveaways too.

I was able to give a short 10 - 15-minute talk about being a (self-published) author/illustrator, and I was also able to share about my books and how I came about to writing ancient Samoan stories and illustrated the pictures too.

There was an opportunity to ask questions, and I was able to answer questions around why it's important and how I was aware that the stories that I had researched many years ago as a part of my first Master's degree could be lost if I didn't start sharing them in book form.

It was such an honour and privilege to be able to share my journey, and I was also able to thank the organisers for such an opportunity, as I often don't get the opportunity to thank them. I also like encouraging students to try their best at whatever they are good at as I remember thinking during my final senior year at high school that "my ambition was to have an ambition" as I wasn't sure about what I wanted to be/do.

Next week, I've also been booked to attend another school and am looking forward to sharing with them as well...

Neice's Wedding Proposal...

Yesterday, I attended a proposal ceremony for my niece, who my parents had helped to bring up. I was at first surprised that it had been considered to be at the grave of my late father, yet I understood why it was important. 

As the youngest, my dad had a soft spot for her, which didn't always sit well with me to have favourites, but I also understood the special place that he had for their youngest.

I still remember, in his last years, how my late dad would speak with me to ensure that I promised to look out for her, as I did for my own children. He knew that he could trust me, as he had important values that he brought me up to do the same with mine.

It's a promise that I've kept, in the background, checking in every now and then and ensuring that all is well. I'm also glad that my own children feel protective in the same way, of each other, as they were all brought up together.

it was beautiful to have our mum there to witness the occasion. The pic shows a siapo or tapa cloth where the proposal took place in front of my late dad's gravesite. It was actually the first public proposal that I've ever been to, except for my own, which was private but at one of my favourite places, at the beach at night with the light of the moon.

After the proposal, she said "yes," and he gave her the engagement ring (which must have been a sigh of relief for her newly engaged partner). Then a small group of family and friends went to a newly renovated local restaurant that I had not been to before, and we simply had a great time there. 

I think the only thing missing was a dance floor. We then departed for home as the newly engaged couple continued their celebration with an after-party, with some club-hopping afterwards. But not for me, as the night before, my sister and I had been cleaning and preparing the site before the proposal.

All in all, it was a beautiful celebration and declaration of love, and I wish the newly engaged couple all the best as they look forward to planning their wedding for the new year. Already, there's a buzz of excitment as this would be one of the first weddings in our family for my children's generation to come...

Te Puhi Mote Ali...

I have a lil' sister who likes to have an eclectic mix of music, and when I listened to this song, it had a Pasifika vibe, which I believe is Tokelauan influenced. I've had it on repeat, and you can probably see why. Have a listen and see what you think...

Happy Birthday to our Mama...

 

Today, we celebrated the birthday of our beautiful mum and grandmother, who has been a blessing and inspiration to us all.

We thank God for a wonderful Mama/mum who helped us to see the beauty of what it was like to be a mum, wife, sister, auntie, grandmother, friend, etc., in all her special ways.

Through her creativity, I became creative as I saw her sew, design and make our clothes, cook wonderful meals that were second to none, clean and tidy, she demonstrated independence in her thinking, a handicrafter of Samoan mats and many other things and still took time to teach us. She showed us tenacity with a grace about her.

Today we took her out to lunch at a local cafe and enjoyed our time together. Three generations laughing and talking with her as she enjoyed going out and about with her family. She was generously spoiled by her grandchildren and then after blowing out the cake, with sparkly grape juice and saying affirmations we had another round of karaoke which brought about more laughs and some off beat singing.

All in all, we all had a great time and enjoyed ourselves immensely. My mum is my heroine and also for my children in demonstrating unconditional love and helping us to grow to be better women and carers in our family. I pray that God continues to bless, protect and shower her with His love and grace. We are better people for having been placed in her care and love...

Happy birthday to my beloved...

 

I really liked this AI-developed Pacific beach scene that I'm working on to send to my beloved as an inspired birthday card, as it's his birthday today.

He had a countdown to his birthday last night with some of the family who were still up and around. It was continued with his birthday breakfast and going to church, then we'll wind down with a family dinner out at one of his favourite eateries of Indian food.

Yes, I know not Samoan food as he had spent some years in India during his missionary days and still enjoys curries and special Indian/Asian dishes too.

It's also a long weekend so it's great that he gets to take some time out during the King's birthday weekend and take some R&R (rest and relaxation) during this weekend.

He also teaches, like me, and is currently completing his creative practice-led PhD at the Auckland University of Technology, which is a mainstream university, quite unlike the wānanga or indigenous and Māori spaces that we frequent as part of the community.

Wishing him God's blessings and a neat birthday and to have an enjoyable year despite the pressures of studies, working and the many things that he does in the communities that we are involved in. I'm so glad that we have been together for some 25 years having celebrated many birthdays along the way...

Radio Samoa Interview 20 May 2026...

One of the things that my late dad asked me to do was to speak on Radio Samoa about my books, but I wasn't confident in my gagana (language) Samoa in that I spoke everyday Samoan and not the matai (chiefly) language.

However, upon graduating on the 1st of May with my family there to witness the event (although missing my mum and lil' sis'), I knew it was time that I fulfilled his wishes, and this interview was the result.

In my nervousness, I completely had some foggy moments in forgetting the name of the ship that my parents left Samoa in, which was the Tofua, and the name of my late cultural supervisor, Funemalafai Dr Silipa Silipa, who first gave me the idea of the topic of Measina a Samoa.

I'm still on a 'high' from finally completing my nemesis PhD journey that evaded me for decades, since my 20s, as it seemed as if I would never finish it with so many things happening in my life. It's such a blessing to now be on the other side of the fence where the 'grass is greener'.

I have another radio interview on 531PI Radio next week on Samoan language week here in New Zealand, and looking forward to sharing some of the information that the thesis writing and seeking helped me to understand with more speaking engagements to come next month...

 

Happy Heavenly birthday to my late dad...

 

Yesterday, we celebrated my late dad's birthday, which would have been his 89th birthday. We went to visit his gravesite and had our family devotional prayer there, then headed out for a quick drive, and then back home.

I then baked together two boxed cakes that came with icing - cos I was too lazy to measure out ingredients then baked them together. I cut the large cake in half and added the icing.

We then burst out the bubbly (non-alcoholic of course) and drink it with the cake. It was such a neat time of coming together as a family and celebrating him and the legacy that he left behind for us to continue. So it was a celebration and one we'll keep doing.

I also read the posts that my youngest added to her Instagram account in acknowledging being named after him. As my dad was the first visitor who held her and I knew that I would name our youngest after him and carries the name well for him.

Today, I went for my usual brisk one-hour, 5 km walk and enjoyed the scenery, the fresh air and the beautiful water. I feel like I get drawn to the water as its calming and lovely on a sunny day. It reminds me that we have been blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world...