Pacific-led Education

Jacqui Passi, is a Deputy Principal at Waitakere College, West Auckland. She has over two decades of teaching expertise in senior History, Pacific Studies, Social Sciences, and the Sāmoan language. Born In Sāmoa, she hails from the vibrant villages of Sinamoga, Vaimoso, and Vaivase Tai; she's also deeply connected to the villages of Vailoa Palauili, Salani, Vaie'e, and Sapapali'i.

Jacqui is driven by her passion for Pasifika Education, tirelessly advocating for equitable learning opportunities and nurturing Pasifika students' success. Rooted in the Pasifika values of alofa, kainga, and faka'apa'apa, she finds immense joy in amplifying Pasifika's voices and achievements wherever she goes. Her dedication extends to her academic pursuits, as evidenced by her Master's thesis on Pasifika student success. Through her research, she empowers students, families, and communities with the tools for academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Jacqui's dedication to Pasifika Excellence extends far beyond the classroom. She plays a pivotal role in the Tuvaluan Auckland Community Trust, leading engaging Talanoa Ako workshops for both the Trust and Waitākere College Pasifika Parents. Moreover, her expertise enriches initiatives like the Secondary Education Group for NCEA Pacific Studies, enhancing educational pathways for Pasifika students on a larger platform.

Dr Ali Glasgow has a background in early childhood education (ECE) and as a Pacific teacher and researcher, she seeks to advance Pacific education, foregrounding cultural and linguistic pedagogy and practice, drawing on cultural community perspectives. She have worked extensively and researched with Pacific communities both within NZ and overseas and provided specialist advice in a number of contexts both in NZ, in the Pacific including the Cook Islands, and the Solomon Islands, as well as Indonesia and East Timor.

Dr Glasgow's PhD research investigated the language, culture and traditional practices in Pacific Language Nests in New Zealand. Through this research she built up a strong relationship with the Pacific ECE communities and works to foster and support these communities.

Currently, she is involved in a VUW funded cross-educational sector research from ECE to Tertiary. This project explores Pacific teachers’ perceptions of the Pacific values of respect, service and leadership. The research is conducted in educational settings in New Zealand, Samoa and the Cook Islands.

Another research area in which she has a strong interest Special Education and Inclusion, and in particular ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder. She endorses a sociocultural and indigenous theoretical lens, child agency and the rights of the child perspective, whilst also acknowledging the pivotal and significant role of families and communities in Special Education provision.

Dr Diane Mara MNZM of Tahitian descent has an extensive career in Pacific education research, policy and teacher education. Currently Dr Diane's work is focused on Pacific consultancy for Whaikaha Ministry for Disabled People as a member of the Insights Alliance Independent Advisory Group.

Diane continues her community work in the Hawke's Bay with Tiare Ahuriri Branch of PACIFICA, her church attendance and supporting her disabled son. 

Si’oto’ofa pe a fakatūlou atu, ko hoku hingoa ko ‘Emeline pe a ko e Tonga au. ‘Emeline was born and raised in Tonga with links to the islands of Lofanga and Ha’ato’u in Ha’apai, and Kolonga, Kolomotu’a and Halafo’ou in Tongatapu. She draws strength from indigenous Pacific realities and ways of knowing to thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand. ‘Emeline is a proud mum of four boys and her mother is her favorite person and first teacher. She honors the values of ‘of a love and passion through worthwhile service to our communities.

‘Emeline has fifteen years of primary teaching experience working with Māori and Pacific students. She advocates for advancing Pacific education and research. ‘Emeline has a Master of Educational Leadership (Hons) and is pursuing a Doctor of Education at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Her research utilizes the Pacific methodologies of Talanoa and Kakala to explore the complexities of indigenous relationality vā.