Pasifika Festival in the Bay 2025 – Save the Date!

Our much-loved community event is happening on Saturday, 1st November 2025 at Ōtūmoetai College.

Entry is just a gold coin, making it an accessible and family-friendly event for everyone.

Come and enjoy a full day of:

Cultural performances
Energetic live music
Delicious steam and kai

This is a great opportunity to connect with local Pasifika communities, celebrate diversity, and enjoy the talents and tastes that make this festival so special.

📍 Venue: Ōtūmoetai College
📅 Date: Saturday, 1st November 2025
🎟️ Entry: Gold coin donation

👉 More info at: www.pasifikainthebay.co.nz

#PasifikaFestival #PasifikaInTheBay #PasifikaBOP #TaurangaEvents

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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.

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

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 (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

EMMA PACKHAM

Trustee | New Zealand born Kiribati/British

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

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