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About Us

Tui Tuia | Learning Circle empowers Kāhui Ako, kaiako, teachers, school leaders and tumuaki to achieve better outcomes for students and learners.

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All languages are to be treasured

Languages, Culture & Identity

We offer programmes, workshops, in-person classroom support, online support and resources to help strengthen language learning in New Zealand schools.

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Cultural competencies

Pacific-Led Education

Empowering educators, students, and communities to shape a future of educational excellence that is firmly rooted in Pacific identity and aspirations.

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Improving instructional dexterity

Literacy and Numeracy

We work with schools to build the literacy and numeracy capability of school leaders and teachers to accelerate learning outcomes for all students.

Pacific-led Education

Helping teachers and leaders build cultural capability to accelerate learning outcomes for Pacific learners.

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About us - video placeholder

Supporting Pacific Learners

Mālō ni, Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, and Warm Pacific Greetings!


We partner across the Pacific Islands with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Pacific Island ministries of education to improve teacher practice and student literacy standards. We believe that cultural heritage, faith, family and service are important values to be passed from generation to generation.

To find out more, please get in touch with us at tuituia.pasifika@auckland.ac.nz.

Yvonne Lim, director
ā tātou

Our People

Our passionate and experienced kaiwhakaruruhau facilitators are dedicated to delivering world class PLD for schools across New Zealand, the Pacific, Australia and internationally.

Tofilau Niulēvāea Dr Siliva Gaugatao
Tofilau Niulēvāea Dr Siliva Gaugatao
Kaiwhakaruruhau
Facilitators
Lealofi Kupa
Lealofi Kupa
Kaiwhakaruruhau
Facilitators
Inano Bailey
Inano Bailey
Kaiwhakaruruhau
Facilitators
Gua Loheni
Gua Loheni
Programme Coordinator
Programme Support
Dr Tanya Samu
Dr Tanya Samu
Academic Nagivators - Pacific-Led Education
Academics
Dr Jacoba Matapo
Dr Jacoba Matapo
Academic Nagivator - Pacific-Led Education
Academics
Caroline Taripo-Keith
Caroline Taripo-Keith
Kaiwhakaruruhau
Facilitators
Alosina Toi-Auta
Alosina Toi-Auta
Project Lead Tapasā
Senior Leaders
Tui Tuia ki Tapasā

Tapasā PLD

To enquire about our Tapasā PLD, please get in touch with us at tuituia.pasifika@auckland.ac.nz.

  • Bespoke Tapasā support for schools
  • Cultural capability for all organisations
  • Regionally-allocated PLD
  • Resource development
Tui Tuia kī Tapasā image

Tailored support for your school

Tui Tuia ki Tapasā is designed to be flexible, reflective and responsive to the needs of individual schools, Early Learning Services, and educators. We recognise the importance of tailoring our approach to make the greatest impact using relationships, leadership and tools.

Our approach to Tapasā PLD support is about collaboration and partnership. We work alongside schools and Early Learning Services to co-design and deliver bespoke PLD that meets the needs of individuals and groups of teachers and leaders and their learning journeys.

Meet our Advisory Board

Jacqui Passi

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

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

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. 

‘Emeline Tu’imana-Unga

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.

Ko ngā kōrero angitū

Making an impact

Hear from educators whose practice have been positively impacted by our innovative approach to learning and professional development.

Cultural responsiveness

“Developing cultural responsiveness in our teaching practices empowers our educators to enhance their understanding for our young Pasifika children, families and communities. It’s important for us to be aware of our interactions to empower our Pasifika families to know they have a place”.

Deborah Jones, Head Teacher, Irongate Kindergarten

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Recent mahi

Explore our recent mahi, articles, resources, and more below!

UniServices: Training educators to better support Pacific learners

To help schools better support Pacific learners, the Ministry of Education has introduced the Tapasā cultural competencies framework, the product of two decades of research. Read the full article below!

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Navigate session: Action Plan for Pacific Education (APPE)

In this presentation, Jacoba and Tofilau Siliva discuss key features of APPE and the potential for transformative practices to enhance Pacific success within ECE services and schools.

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Monthly online sessions for Tapasā PLD

Every month, we connect with all teachers, leaders, centres and schools involved in the Tapasā project to celebrate Pacific success, share effective practices and addresses issues that surface from our mahi (work). If you would like to attend, reach out to us using the button below!

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2023 Regional summit in Nadi, Fiji

Our Programme Manager Dagmar Dyck recently attended the Regional Summit on Advancing Resilience and Inclusion through Sustainable School Leadership in Nadi, Fiji. Learn more about her experience below!

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Reach out and let's make it happen

We can create bespoke course offerings to suit you and your school or kura's needs. Get in touch with us today so we can tailor our approach in helping you and your learning community!

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