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 Vision

Pacific Education Excellence. Innovative Practices by Pacific.

Our vision 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 Mission

Empowering Educators of Pacific Children to Enact Tapasā.

Our mission is to enhance the educational outcomes and well-being of Pacific students by providing culturally responsive programs, resources, and support. We strive to create a strong, vibrant Pacific community that celebrates its heritage and empowers its youth to achieve their full potential.

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

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ALVA TALOPAU

Treasurer

Niue Born and Raised

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ANNETTE LABAN

Secretary

New Zealand born Samoa/Tokelau/German

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Our Programmes and Events

HOMO HAIA

HOMEWORK HUB

NCEA Support: A Supportive Pacific NCEA Study Environment.

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Pasifika Speech AND

Languages Competition

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

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Tapasā

PLD

Bespoke Tapasā PLD For Educators of Pacific Leaners.

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TALANOA AKO

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

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Pasifika Festival

In the Bay

Performing Arts: Celebrating Pacific Identities, Languages and Cultures

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Rising Hibiscus

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

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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.

ANNETTE LABAN

Secretary | New Zealand born Samoa/Tokelau/German

Annette is the Secretary for Pasifika in the Bay Trust and hails from the islands of Samoa and Tokelau, with German ancestry. She is a trained Primary School Teacher, with a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Marketing, and recently completed her Masters in Education. Her passion is to actively seek new ways to support Pacific people and is excited about creating her own opportunities. She enjoys catching up with family and friends, arts and crafts and loves the outdoors.

  • Current Masters in Education (University of Waikato), TeachNZ Study Award, TAPA Scholarship
  • Grad Dip Teach Primary, Bachelor of Business Marketing
  • New Zealand Institute of Directors Courses including Governance Essentials, Risk Essentials, Finance Essentials, Strategy Essentials
  • Kaiako at St Mary’s Catholic School, Tauranga
  • Completed 5 papers – Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College
  • Te Ara Reo Māori L1-3
  • Lived Experience in Samoa with family in 2017 for 6 months
  • Married to Lennie Palmer and we have one son.
    • Corban – first year at Business and Design, Victoria University
    • Head Prefect of Tauranga Boys College in 2021