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Source: New Zealand Government

More Pasifika are embracing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities, paving a pathway to educational success, says Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio.

Now in its sixth year, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) Toloa Programme is achieving its goal of helping Pacific Aotearoa to thrive.

“Our aim has always been to see Pacific communities in Aotearoa prosper, and encouraging more people into STEM-related study and jobs is a way to do this,” says Minister Sio.

“We want Pacific peoples fulfilling their potential in the belief everyone in Aotearoa has the opportunity to succeed and be able to provide for their families.”

The STEM fields are the way of the future, and future employment sectors will require STEM skills.  In 2015, MPP established the Toloa Programme, which takes a multi-faceted approach of raising awareness and providing workforce development opportunities.

Every year, scholarships and funding are provided to individuals and groups at the Toloa Awards, which are being held in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch throughout March and April.

This year, MPP has awarded 59 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships to Pacific students to pursue studies in STEM and become the future innovators and leaders in this space.

“It is our highest number of scholarships given out for the programme since it began.

“It not only encourages more students to take up STEM subjects, but it lifts the burden of having to find funds for tertiary fees, meaning students can focus entirely on their studies,” Minister Sio says.

This year, there are 34 recipients of the Community Fund and 14 Kenese Fund recipients.

In July last year, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and MPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to work together, to increase the number of Pacific people in the STEM workforce.

A total of $550,000 has been allocated to MPP from MBIE’s Research, Science, and Innovation: Talent and Science Promotion appropriation to support initiatives for Pacific people to transition into STEM employment .

“This support has been gratefully received and by working together with MBIE, we are moving closer to seeing more and more Pacific faces in jobs such as Engineering and Computer Programming. It is a fascinating time for the growing population of Pacific peoples in New Zealand, as we welcome the future and opportunities in STEM,” says Aupito William Sio.

Note for editors:

Visit MPP for further information.

A list of the 2021 Toloa Tertiary Scholarships, Toloa Community Fund and Toloa Kenese Fund recipients is below.

Toloa Tertiary Scholarship recipients 2021:

Full Name

Course of Study

Region

Ethnicity

Kaline Masitabua

Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Central

Fijian

Linda Fatialofa

Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology

Central

Samoan

Ryan Simpson

Masters of Architectural Science

Central

Samoan

Siana Whatarau

Bachelor of Science Marine Biology & Environmental Science

Central

Cook Islands Maori

Shantay Micaiah Savea

Bachelor of Science

Central

Samoan

Bree Aiono

Bachelor of Science

Central

Samoan

Jovaan Mataroa

Master of Architecture (Professional)

Central

Cook Islands Maori

John Tagi

Masters of Architecture

Northern

Tongan

Heamasi Vaioleti

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Tongan

Seila Vaeluaga

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Tuvaluan

Mena Rosyana Vaimasenuu Welford

Completion of Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Master of Science

Northern

Samoan

Avelina Vaisima

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Tongan

Josiah Tuitama

Master of Architecture (Professional)

Northern

Samoan

Emily McIntosh

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Tongan

Leilani Stowers

Bachelor of Engineering Technology

Northern

Samoan

Alfred Pama

Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce

Northern

Samoan

Malia Senerita Akanete Pateli

Postgraduate Diploma Biomedical Science

Northern

Samoan

Greissen Leslie

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Niuean

Talia Mather

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Tokelauan

Anthea Adam

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry and Environmental Science

Northern

Samoan

Filipe Lata

Bachelor of Engineering Technology

Northern

Tongan

Shauna Glassie-Ryan

Bachelor of Animal Science

Northern

Cook Islands Maori

Sereima Dulakuverata

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Fijian

Fa’atonu Fa’afili

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Samoan

Anunson Ott

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Northern

Samoan

Solomon Fifita

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Tongan

Mabel Fa’aloua Leilani Tata

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Samoan

Aisake Tafea

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Northern

Tongan

Kelsie-Rose Craig

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Tuvaluan

Logan Fenton

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Tahitian

Miracle Naititi

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Northern

Samoan

Jasmin Smith

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Health Science

Northern

Fijian

Niels Arnesen

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)

Northern

Samoan

Gustav Chu-Ling

Master of Science

Northern

Samoan

Marcus Siliko

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Northern

Samoan

Deborah Salave’a

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Samoan

Epokifoou Vuki

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)

Northern

Tongan

Michael Vaeono

Bachelor of Engineering

Northern

Samoan

Tuamu Maka

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)

Northern

Samoan

Grant Fale

Master of Science

Northern

Tongan

Gloria Tu’itupou

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Tongan

Alexander Deo

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Civil Engineering

Northern

Fijian

Margret Mage

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Tongan

Latai Pope Sakalia

Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Biological Science

Northern

Tongan

Tyrone Faapoi

Diploma in Information Technology Technical Support

Northern

Samoan

Elizabeth Arrowsmith

Bachelor of Science

Northern

Fijian

Gerald Tuimalealiifano

Master of Information Technology

Northern

Samoan

Jessica Vea

Bachelor of Creative Technologies

Northern

Tongan

Joshua Simmons

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce

Northern

Fijian

Valerie Lui

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)

Northern

Samoan

Piper Mortimer

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)

Southern

Samoan

Jade Angel Christiansen

Master of Science

Southern

Samoan

Tisiola Sarah Adela Talalima

Bachelor of Science Honours

Southern

Tongan

Christoinette Tausa

Bachelor of Science

Southern

Samoan

Etina Uele

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Law

Southern

Tongan

Ben Williams

Master of Science

Southern

Fijian

Richard Bedford

Bachelor of Engineering

Southern

Solomon Islander

Amelia Kirisome

Bachelor of Surveying

Southern

Samoan

Samsara Guillemot-Mene

Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology and Masters of Science in Child and Family Psychology

Southern

Samoan

Toloa Community Fund recipients 2021:

Group/organisation

Region

Digital Discipline (SL1 Consulting Limited)

Auckland

Papaioea Pasifika Community Trust

Palmerston North

Samoan Scientist

Auckland

EFKS Hamilton Youth Group (Congregational Christian Church of Samoan (Hamilton) Trust Board)

Hamilton

To’utupu Tonga Trust

Auckland

Cross-Polynate Ltd

Christchurch

Faith City Trust Board

Auckland

Melana Trust

Auckland

Amanaki STEM Academy

Palmerston North

Congregation Christian Church of Samoa Otahuhu Trust Board (CCCS Otahuhu) The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (Otahuhu) Trust Board)

Auckland

Taulanga Malie Reformed Christian Church of Tuvalu Trust in Tauranga

Tauranga

Vahefonua Tonga Methodist Mission Charitable Trust (SIAOLA)

Auckland

Tausa’afia Trust T/a Aoga Fa’ata’ita’i Samoa PIC Mangere

Auckland

Atamu EFKS Porirua Incorporated

Porirua/Wellington

Hakatere Multi Cultural Council

Ashburton

Multi Consultants and Personnel Ltd T/A Alignz Recruitment

Hamilton

Atafu Tokelau Community Group Incorporated – Collab with OMG Tech (Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust)

Porirua/Wellington

Congregational Church of Samoa (EFKS Mt Roskill) Trust Board

Auckland

Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa (Ranui) Trust Board

Auckland

Epro8 Challenge

Porirua

Kiribati Protestant Church of Aotearoa Incorporated

Auckland

MakaNet Limited

Auckland

Mangere Central School

Auckland

Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group Inc

Oamaru

Pacific Island Homecare Services Trust

Auckland

Pacific Trust Otago

Dunedin

Ranui 135 Leadership Team

Auckland

Samoan Congregational Church of Jesus in New Zealand (New Lynn Branch) Incorporated

Auckland

SDL Consultancy Ltd

Wellington

The Lalanga Foundation

Auckland

Tongan Methodist Church

Auckland

Vaitupu Community Trust

Auckland

Wellington Methodist Church

Wellington

West Auckland Kiribati Association Incorporated

Auckland

Kenese Fund recipients 2021:

Group/organisation

Region

Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) operating under the Research Trust of Victoria University of Wellington (RTV).

Wellington

COMET Auckland

Auckland

VAI ‘OE MO’UI TONGAN CHURCH COMMUNITY (The Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa Auckland – Manukau Tongan Parish – Parish (7510)

Auckland

Ferguson Intermediate School

Auckland

KidsCoin Limited

Auckland

Papaioea Pasifika Community Trust (PPCT) & Malamalama Moni Aonga Amata (MMAA)

Palmerston North

Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust

Auckland

GirlBoss New Zealand

Auckland

A& K Thomson

Auckland

Brown Pride NZ Ltd

Auckland

Satauro PIPC Wiri (Sunday School) – Homework Centre

Auckland

St Pauls College

Auckland

Tuvalu Auckland Community Trust

Auckland

Vaka Interactiv

Wellington

MIL OSI