Pasifika in the Bay Trust

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About Pasifika in the Bay Trust

Celebrating and Empowering Pacific Communities

Welcome to the Pasifika in the Bay Trust, a vibrant cornerstone of the Pacific community in the Bay of Plenty. Founded with a vision for Pacific Education Excellence, we elevate and celebrate the rich tapestry of Pacific cultures. Our Trust is dedicated to deepening the understanding and appreciation of our Pacific values, cultures, arts, traditions, histories, languages, and people.

Our Purpose

Pacific Education Excellence. 

Our purpose is a thriving Pacific community where every student has access to quality education and opportunities to succeed. We aspire to be a leading force in driving positive change and creating a brighter future for Pacific families in the Bay of Plenty.

Our Vision

International Leaders Fostering Education Success.

Pasifika in the Bay Trust envisions a thriving Pacific community led by leaders who foster international educational success, empower cultural identity, and create lifelong pathways for learning, growth, and opportunity.

Pasifika Festival In the Bay: A Local Pacific Celebration
Experience the Spirit of the Pacific with Family, Food, and Festivities
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Pasifika Speech and Languages Competition
Experience the vibrant energy of the annual Pasifika Speech and Languages Competition in the Bay, celebrating students' language prowess and offering NCEA credits in a dynamic Pacific environment.
Tapasā Professional Learning Development
Join the Tapasā Professional Learning Development, supported by the Ministry of Education, and embark on a journey to enhance Pacific student achievement through collaboration, strategic planning, and meaningful talanoa.

Meet Our Board

MEL COTTINGHAM

Chairperson

New Zealand born British/Niue
Learn About Mel
Manuel Efaraimo

MANUEL EFARAIMO

Board Member

Learn About Manuel

LINDA BROWN

Board Member

Learn About Linda

SA LUATUA

Board Member

Learn About Sa
Pasifika In The Bay Board Member

Ulima Tofi

Board Member

Learn About Ulima

Our Programmes and Events

HOMO HAIA
HOMEWORK HUB

NCEA Support: A Supportive Pacific NCEA Study Environment.

Check out the Homework Hub

Pasifika Speech AND
Languages Competition

Growing Pacific Orators: Celebrating And Sustaining Our Pacific Orators And Languages.

Join the Speech Competition

Tapasā
PLD

Bespoke Tapasā PLD For Educators of Pacific Leaners.

Learn about Tapasā PLD

TALANOA AKO

Programme for Parents of Pacific Learners: Parents learn tips, tricks, stats and facts about the Education system.

Explore Talanoa Ako

Pasifika Festival
In the Bay

Performing Arts: Celebrating Pacific Identities, Languages and Cultures.

Experience the Pasifika Festival

Rising Hibiscus

Creating Pacific Y9 – Y13
Community: Growing leadership with Academic Mentoring.

Join Rising Hibiscus
Your lecture changed my life and thinking about Pacific Education
TEACHER EDUCATOR 2022
Your lecture changed my life and thinking about Pacific Education
TEACHER EDUCATOR 2022
Your lecture changed my life and thinking about Pacific Education
TEACHER EDUCATOR 2022

Mel Cottingham

Chairperson | New Zealand born British/Niue

Mel is the chairperson of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust. She loves all things Pacific, in particular working with amazing people to initiate and deliver successful Pacific programmes and events. Mel enjoys her dream job, reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, travelling with friends and family, and is adamant to snowboard until she can’t. She is currently thinking about taking up golf.

  • Current Masters in Education (Victoria University of Wellington), TeachNZ Study Award
  • Grad Dip Teach Prim, Level 6 Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, Bachelor of Management Studies
  • New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials
  • Experience in Tertiary and Primary – Kura Auraki, Reorua, ESOL
  • Lived Experiences in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, UK and South Korea
  • Nieces and Nephews in Early Childhood Centre, Primary, Secondary Boarding and University
Manuel Efaraimo

MANUEL EFARAIMO

Born and raised in Wellington with proud Samoan and Māori heritage, Manuel brings more than 25 years of senior commercial and operational experience, including serving as Chief Operating Officer for Brother International. After moving to the Bay of Plenty in 2014 and more recently settling on the Gold Coast, he has always aspired to represent his heritage at the executive leadership level, and hoping to set an example for his children and other young people through his volunteer involvement with the Tauranga Boxing Academy through the BOPYT. Manuel completed his MBA at the University of Waikato in 2022 and is committed to uplifting Pacific excellence through governance, cultural insight, and commercial acumen. He is married and the proud father of his two grown children, Taylor and Bailey

Linda Brown

Board Member

Linda is originally from The Shetland Islands in the far North of Scotland, she has been living and working in New Zealand since the late 90’s. Her husband John is Samoan, they have four children who live in a very busy, rugby mad household in Te Puna. Linda has worked in education, initially as a teacher in South Auckland, then as a Professional Development facilitator and as a National Advisor for the Teaching Council. Recently she has returned to the Bay of Plenty and is working as a Teacher Educator at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute supporting amazing people to become teachers. Linda has a passion for equitable outcomes for Pacific Learners and has been actively involved in the development of and delivery of culturally responsive programmes for teachers and students across Aotearoa. Linda is currently studying towards her PhD exploring creative approaches to dealing with the trauma of land loss and colonisation in her own island history.

SA LUATUA

Board Member

New Zealand born Samoa/Niue/Chinese Sa is a recently appointed Board member of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust. Sa has an extensive career in Corporate and Commercial Insurance and will look to blend his business nous and passion for creative writing and storytelling to benefit our local Pasifika community. Sa has a young family (11 year old daughter and 9 year old son) and when he is not spending copious amount of time with them he can be found running marathons, side stepping on a touch rugby field or swinging a club on the golf course however errant the ball travels.

  • Diploma in Sports Journalism
  • Business Administration Level
  • ANZIIF New Zealand Compliance For Advisors (General Insurance Broking) Level 5
  • Author – “The Second Phase” a biography of Sione Faumuina
Pasifika In The Bay Board Member

Ulima Tofi

Board Member

Ulima hails from the villages of Tufulele and Vaipuna in Samoa and the iwi of Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Maniapoto in Aotearoa. He carries the title Vaea from Matāutu Vaipuna. Vaea Ulima is married and has two young children, and moved to Tauranga five years ago. He is passionate about supporting the aspirations of the Pacific community and believes that culture is our super-power! Vaea Ulima has worked across the health sector for 20 years, firstly as a physiotherapist, then moving into clinical leadership, workforce development, health equity, and now research. He is a current research fellow with the NZ Heart Foundation and is completing his PhD, exploring the experiences of Māori and Pacific heart health workers.