We hosted a Po Talanoa evening for our Pasifika ākonga and whānau. There was a good turnout, and the students did a great job hosting the event, led by our 2023 Pasifika perspective prefect Lute Takau.

There was plenty of delicious kai made by our year 12 hospitality classes and a slideshow introduction for our whānau of the various Pasifika programmes run by the kura and events happening in the wider Bay of Plenty area in 2023. These include the Aiga Programme; Homo Haia homework club; Rising Hibiscus club; Paparazzi film-making; BOP Pasifika Speech Contest, Pasifika NCEA Fono; Planning a Cultural Expo; BOP Pasifika Festival; and Te Moana Nui a Kiwa prize giving.

The students did an excellent dance performance of a traditional Fijian meke, which was well received and followed by some impromptu dancing! It was a great start to what should be a year full of events, activities and support for our Pasifika ākonga.