A Pacific Island women’s group has come up with a project called Big Sista; encouraging and inspiring young Pasifika women in New Zealand into choosing long term career paths for the future.
Students at south Auckland’s McAuley high school were recently given an insight into the careers of a group of successful Pacific island women, whose aims are to encourage, motivate and inspire youngsters to continue with education.
Members from Pacific Allied (women’s) Council Inspires Faith Ideals Concerning All (P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A) told of their experiences and journeys in their chosen career paths; which ranged from media, medicine, arts and education, to public service, law, counselling and business.
P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A, established in the 1970’s by pioneering Pacific women including Eleitino Paddy Walker, is now a thriving mix of Pacific and New Zealand-born older and younger generations, working together to better New Zealand; through lobbying, networking and community projects.
The lack of role models in achievement-related areas was noted in the following report: Towards making achievement cool: Achievement in multicultural high schools. P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A therefore believes that by connecting with the community in projects like this, students will be inspired as most of the speakers come from similar backgrounds, have been through the schooling system and have worked hard towards success.
Students at McAuley High School enjoyed the variety of speakers, with Sandra Kailahi, who has appeared on TV current affairs shows Tagata Pasifika and Fair go, proving to be a popular speaker.
P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A northern region vice president Josephine Bartley says: “If just one student acts on what we have talked about in our sessions and is motivated to stick to their career path no matter what obstacles they may face, then our job has been worthwhile."
