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

ALVA TALOPAU

Treasurer

Niue Born and Raised
Learn About Alva

LINDA BROWN

Board Member

Learn About Linda

SA LUATUA

Board Member

Learn About Sa

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

ALVA TALOPAU

Treasurer | Niue Born and Raised

Alva is the Treasurer of the Pasifika in the Bay Trust with over eighteen years of experience as a business owner in the financial services industry. Together with her husband Alex, they’ve raised three high achieving young adults. Alva is passionate about supporting and empowering young people to reach their full potential. Alva loves playing board games, spending time with family and friends, baking, cooking and makes a mean chop suey.

  • Business Owner in Financial Services. Level 5, National Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice, Investment Advice), Bachelors of Economics
  • New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials
  • Avid supporter of education of our Pacific students – Tauranga Boys & Tauranga Girls College
  • Lived experience in Samoa (1 year)
  • Married to Alex (Samoan) a qualified Accountant and Business Owner. We have three kids.
    • Alevandre – final year Bachelors of Engineering (Honors) at University of Waikato.
    • Shanay – second year Law & Public Policy at Victoria University.
    • Reece – first year Bachelors of Engineering (Honors) at Auckland University. Reece is the first Pacific student Dux of Tauranga Boys College in 2021.

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