Celebrating Growth: Inspiring Growth for Young Pasifika – Term 4 2025 Wrap-Up

What a way to end the year. Tula’i has just completed the 8th round of Inspiring Growth for Young Pasifika (IG), celebrating 60 graduates from six West Auckland schools—our largest cohort to date.

The term began with energy and excitement at The Summit: Te Pae o Kura, where the space was filled with vibrant young leaders eager to discover what IG was all about. Students launched into a day grounded in Tula’i values and Pacific values-based activities, exploring their Pacific identity and exercising their leadership skills. It was a day marked by laughter, learning, and growing together.

We then gathered for our Village Connect event, bringing parents and caregivers together for talanoa and connection. This was an important opportunity to share the heart behind Tula’i and reinforce the village approach that sits at the centre of our work.

Over the following seven weeks, we were grateful to partner with Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Service, who facilitated the Healthy Relationships Programme alongside our Tula’i Alumni mentors. Through interactive and reflective activities, students were encouraged to share ideas, step outside their comfort zones, build healthy habits, and identify Pacific values they can stand on as they continue their journeys.

The in-class programme concluded with an outdoor excursion hosted by Adventure Specialties Trust, where students challenged themselves on high ropes and rock-climbing courses. Despite the weather, smiles were big as rangatahi pushed beyond their limits and supported one another.

We closed the term with a graduation ceremony surrounded by aiga and friends. The evening was enriched by courageous student reflections from six schools and joyful cultural performances that filled the room with pride and celebration. It was a night of love, ula lole, and kana, honouring the commitment and growth of our IG graduates.

With a strong focus on empowering young leaders to stand confidently in their Pacific identity and cultural values, the growth in belief and confidence was evident—from The Summit through to graduation.

As we look ahead to welcoming a new cohort in 2026, we pause to celebrate our Term 4 graduates—the leaders of tomorrow, supported by the strength and love of their vuvale.

IG for Pasifika Graduation, Term 4, December 2025