Aotearoa Tongan Teachers' Association Inc. - ATTA

'Au'ataa ASDAH!😍

The Asdah Brass Band photographed at the 2024 New Zealand National Brass Championship.

Congratulations to our Asdah Brass Band for winning in the Youth category of the New Zealand National Brass Championship, 2024.

The group was led by our music teacher Mr. Samiu Uatahausi and assisted by Mr. Samuela Lea who both teach in our music department.

We thank all our parents, caregivers and supporters for their ongoing commitment to the Asdah Brass Band.

Si'oto 'ofa

Some of you have requested our Activating Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Activating Kakala Pedagogy project report. Here it is - https://sites.google.com/view/auatta/projects/activating-kakala-pedagogy

If you are a teacher, educator, researcher, leader of Tongan, Maori, Pacific learners in Aotearoa, you can also join our Aotearoa Tongan Teachers' Association (ATTA) private Facebook group or become a member by emailing [email protected]
Note - we welcome all professionals and leaders whose line of work affect our children.

Mālō

https://sites.google.com/view/auatta/projects/activating-kakala-pedagogy

ATTA - Activating Kakala Pedagogy PAGE INDEX

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Hounga’ia 🇳🇿❤️🇹🇴 Activating Te Tirirti o Waitangi, Activating Kakala Pedagogy Project Reporting & Celebration🙏🙌

Mānawatia a Matariki

🇳🇿❤️🇹🇴 All welcome. Just rsvp…😊

"What's not fair is that we are saying that teachers have failed the system when actually the system has failed teachers."

Listen to Teaching Council Chief Executive talk about how the Teaching Council wants stronger rules for teaching qualifications.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018939677/teaching-council-wants-stronger-rules-for-teacher-quals

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Should tikanga Māori be taught in law schools? From January 1, 2025, all core law courses will have a compulsory tikanga Māori component.

‘Au’ataa ❤️🙏

100 Stories of 🇦🇺🇹🇴 Partnership - Story 32
'Ana Soakai
PacStat Project Coordinator,
(Statistical Innovation Capacity Building for Tonga)
Tonga Statistics Department

“Being away from home as a little child helped me build my independence. I was born and raised in Haʻapai where I went to primary school. I made it to Tonga High School so I left my family to come to Tongatapu. After high school, I was very fortunate to get a scholarship to study in Fiji, funded by NZ Aid. While doing my Bachelor’s degree, I made the big decision at the very young age of 19 to get married. I struggled because of it.

Someone said to me, ‘If you didn’t get married when you went to Fiji, you would have succeeded in life.’ That may be true, but I think if I did not get married and struggled the way I did, I probably wouldn’t pass my classes. It was the struggles of that first marriage that helped me to study hard. I share this personal experience because the government of Australia came into my life at such a critical time. I filed for a divorce and received my divorce paper in April 2010. In August of that same year, I got the news that I was shortlisted for a scholarship to study in Australia. That immediately took my mind off of my recent divorce. Again, I would like to thank Australia because the scholarship recruitment process was also another personal challenge.

The organisation I worked for, did not approve for me to go for further studies. In addition, a letter was sent to the scholarship committee and to the Australian High Commissioner to stop me from going. Despite that, the Australian High Commissioner himself interviewed me for the scholarship. He asked me, ‘What would be one thing that you would want not to do when you go to Australia?’ I said, ‘I want to make sure I won’t get married during my first semester.’ I was fortunate enough to get that scholarship and studied a MA in International Development Economics. While a student of the Australia National University, I was the president of our resident hall’s advisory committee for hundreds of graduate students and received the Prime Minister’s Pacific Award at the time. Although I didn’t have enough money to take my son with me during those two years, that opportunity opened a lot of doors for me, my son, and our second family now. I was able to work in key ministries and make an impact because of my education in Australia.

Over the years in terms of my career, I have been able to give back through working in various capacities. I had worked at Revenue and Customs, the Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank, a personal farming project, the SET Project as Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, and now a Project Coordinator under the Tonga Statistics Department to help improve the efficiency of data collection. I love statistics and data! I’ve been able to give back to the country by emphasising the need for evidence-based decision-making through the collection and analysis of data. I’ve also started a program called Alafolau Fakaako to help high school students with their Internal Assessments. It is my way of investing in the young minds. I also like talking to the young people and this program is a good break from my full-time work. At certain points in my life, I felt very lonely and through this program, I’m able to help and share my story with students in the hope that they won’t have to go through what I went through.

Now, I have a second family at the age of 39—20 years since my first marriage. I feel that I have gone through many of life’s experiences which both taught me but also humbled me. It has also proven that I am a very strong person and that I can make bold decisions. Recently, my colleagues sent me messages about my eldest child—the one I left here while I went for further studies in Australia—because of what he shared in a workshop he attended. He said, ‘I always look up to my mother because my mother had to go through a lot. We lacked in so many things. We didn’t have a car and mother had to leave me to go to school. I didn’t understand why she needed to go and leave me. Now, I can see why. She is my inspiration. I have set my goals and I hope to be just like her.’

I think more than anything, this is what makes me so proud. I’m able to inspire my own children through my own example and experiences that they can do great things and become whatever they set their minds to be.”

‘Au’ataa🇳🇿❤️🇹🇴

To our Tongan & Pacific educators and teachers who got capped today at the University of Auckland’s School of Education and Social Work graduation ceremony -
Au’ataa🙌❤️

A question- by adding this, what are you taking away from teachers’ plate?

I’m sure teachers will appreciate the financial investment in teachers to be given time, travel allowance for professional learning and development, and on-going support to implement this properly.
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We’re transforming the way Kiwi kids learn to read by making structured literacy a requirement in all schools and kura.

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100 Stories of 🇦🇺🇹🇴 Partnership- Story 29
Taniela Tofeki Tupou
Professional Rugby Player

“I’m Daniel Tofeki Tupou. At school I’m called Taniela but here in Vainī, I’m Tofeki. I grew up here, went to school in ‘Atele back in 2008 then had an opportunity to go play in New Zealand in 2010 when I was in form 3. In 2011, I migrated to New Zealand for school and also to play rugby. Although I played number 8 here in Tonga, I was told to play prop overseas and I’ve been playing in that position ever since.

I got the opportunity to go overseas when the Ministry of Internal Affairs ran the Under 12, 13 and 14 national teams. We toured Fiji and New Zealand for 2 consecutive years before I received the scholarship to study in Sacred Heart, NZ. During my last year at Sacred Heart, we played a televised game where I scored 3 tries. That’s when doors opened up for me and led me to Australia.

As a young boy, I had always been a big fan of the Wallabies. They had a lot of Tongans playing there and I also admired Quade Cooper. Although many teams were interested for me to come play for them after I finished from Sacred Heart, I chose Queensland. My admiration for Australia’s rugby team together with my older brother living there led me to play for the Reds. It wasn’t an easy road because it took me 3 years before I even played for the Reds. And I almost gave up.

I had been in Australia for almost 3 years training the whole time but I never made it to Super Rugby. Towards the end of the third year, one of the prop reserves for the team was injured. I cried when the coach called and said I’d play for the Reds that week. I promised myself I’d grab the opportunity and never look back. That was 2016. After playing the last 3 games of that season, I was picked for the Wallabies. The coach’s unexpected. I was on my way to bring my mum to Tonga when the call came. I had been a big fan of the Wallabies but never thought I’d play for them. Again when the opportunity came, I cried tears of joy.

When I’m back here in Tonga talking to the ‘Atele kids, I tell them without the main roads around the bush here and my mum pushing me to run, I would have never made it. I joined the Wallaby team when I was 20 years old and was the youngest of the team. As such, I was always acting as the kid. Since 2014, I’ve never missed any of the camps for both the Reds and the Wallabies and it’s been over 7 years now.

One of my first times to tour with the Wallabies was on this 13-hour flight where we stopped over in Dubai. This was a normal trip for everyone else on the team but me. I could not believe I was in business class! I spent most of my time on that flight admiring everything around me with a grateful heart. This Tongan kid—who hardly spoke any English at all, the one who used to run to the bathroom in NZ to cry because he didn’t understand what was going on at school—was now on a 747-double-decker plane with the Wallabies!

I love the Wallabies. I know we struggle a lot as a team but the Wallabies made the time for me and gave me opportunities to do what I love. Through rugby, I’ve met many people including teammates I grew to love, admire, and appreciate. It was the Wallabies that earned me the Taniela Tupou the world knows now. Without them, I don’t think anyone would know who I was. I have been everywhere and have seen so much of the world because of the opportunities I have had in Australia. We struggled growing up here in Tonga but when I travelled, I saw people in places who really had nothing. They had dust around a makeshift shelter they called a home and that was everything they had.

In 2020, I bought my first home in Australia. I told my mum it’s her home too and she can come there whenever she likes. I hope to use the opportunities given me to give back to my family, the community, and inspire young people. In Australia, I travel and talk to the young people, especially troubled kids and share my life experiences. Some of them ask the question, ‘Can we actually do it?’ I assure them that if I can, they can too if they get the support they need.

I’m grateful for my mum and family for their support all the time. No matter where in the world I play, I can always count on them. I’m also grateful for the many trials and challenges I had to overcome to be here because it strengthened me. I missed many things at a young age because I made many sacrifices to get to where I am. If I didn’t sacrifice and listened to my mother, I might’ve remained here in Tonga, probably leading the kava drinking in the local clubs.

Although I’ve learned many things and seen many places at a young age, my mum’s advice when I first left Tonga never leaves me. She reminded me to always stay humble and that’s how I want to be remembered. I hope I can be remembered as a humble person and a good team mate who rose to the top of his game on the field, but one who was always humble enough when he carried himself outside the field.”

Meet Auckland Law School Lecturer Dr Suliana, a remarkable individual whose journey has woven together the rich tapestry of her Pacific heritage with a passion for law and human rights. Read more about her story here https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/law/study-with-us/study-options/meet-academic-staff/suliana-mone.html

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Calling all our young Tongan ‘au’ataa artists🙌❤️

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Sesa Metui is one of 9 siblings, and until recently, lived in her family home in Nukuleka, Tonga caring for her parents. In July 2022 Sesa decided to start supporting her family in a different way, taking up a position at a meat processing site in Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) to earn more money for them.

“I was conflicted about joining the PALM scheme because it meant I would have to leave my family. But I was working in hospitality, and it wasn’t enough money to support my parents and siblings,” she said. “My parents are getting older now, and money was my focus.”

After just one year of employment at Nolan Meats in Gympie, Queensland, Sesa has already achieved her goals and a whole lot more. Not only has she been able to send money home to her family, but she has also been promoted to the position of group leader, become a qualified Meat Standards Australia grader, gained a Certificate II in Meat Processing, and acquired an AUSMEAT chiller accreditation in the process.

“I was so surprised. Before I came here, it was a mystery to think about what kind of work I was entering. It’s my first time in this type of work, but I’m really enjoying it. “In Tonga, I was working in a café, so the work was always going to be slightly different. But I’m strong, I can do it,” she said.

As well as technical skills in meat processing, her role as a group leader has helped her develop leadership and English language skills. Sesa now trains new team members at Nolan Meats, running the inductions and teaching them how to sharpen knives, clean equipment and comply with customer procedures.

“I was confident in Tonga but coming here it’s a different language and different people. Every day I learn a new word and my English has really improved now, so I think that’s a positive.

“All these skills. I didn’t think I would come here and develop so many.”

While Sesa is learning new skills in this role, she has found that her hospitality industry experience has helped her become a better group leader.
“Because I was working in a café, you had to smile to everyone who entered the room. I am always doing this and trying to make people feel welcome. “When you smile, even without saying something, you are already welcoming someone,” she said.

Working in Australia has brought additional benefits for Sesa that she hadn’t anticipated.
“Not only am I making money and learning, but I enjoy my life here. When I was in Tonga I hadn’t travelled anywhere. In Tonga my youth group was planning to go to Rome, but I wasn’t on the list because I couldn’t afford it. When I got the job here, I sent them a message to let them know I’d be earning money. I worked for 3 months, and then I went! I went to Portugal and Rome. My friends and my community were so proud of that,” she said.

She hadn’t imagined that participating in the PALM scheme would allow her to see Europe, but one moment in particular came as a total surprise.

“During the trip I came face to face with Pope Francis...never would I have expected that to happen in my lifetime!

“When I look back, I think how did I get there? And it’s because of this job,” she said.

Vacancy

As Tongan/ Pacific peoples, why should we care about Te Tiriti o Waitangi? Join us…