Kia orana! Ni sa bula! Namaskaram! Mālō e lelei! Talofa lava! Faka’alofa lahi atu! Fakatalofa atu! Gude! Tēnā koutou! Warm Pacific greetings! And welcome to those students and aiga new to Hagley this year.

Faces and spaces

We have enjoyed meeting and reconnecting as the year has gotten underway. Last Thursday we held our first lunch for Pasifika students and it was great to see some new faces!

With the advent of new buildings at the kura, we’ve been able to move into G1 as a Pasifika space. Currently students are busy redecorating, and we look forward to opening the space as our fale later this term. It’s great also to have Fa’atu and Paul’s office space next door.

Aiga Pasifika tutor group in 2023

2022 saw the successful piloting of our Aiga vertical tutor group. It has been lovely to see connections made across year groups, and ākonga have appreciated the opportunity. Students from years 10-13 who whakapapa to the Pacific have been able to opt in to this group, and year 9 ākonga will have the same option to join later in the year. This year Fa’atu is joined by Paul Dearsley in looking after Aiga. New students are welcome - if you are interested in this option or would like any further information please contact Fa’atu, Emma Lumb or the Enrolment Centre.

Polyfest

We are busy preparing for Polyfest. Our focus is to celebrate our Pacific stories, cultures and identities, and 2023 will see Te Puna Wai o Waipapa represented for the first time in over 20 years.

Practices of our sasa, pese and haka are well underway, and it’s great to have Kapa Haka joining us in preparations and on stage.

Mark the date in your calendars to come along - we’d love to see you there!

• Date: 18 March 2023
• Venue: Special Events Area, North Hagley Park, Christchurch
• Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm
• Cost: Gold coin donation