Year 12 Pacific Island Leaders Of Tomorrow (PILOT) Talofa lava, Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka,Taloha ni and Warm Pacific Greetings. P.I.L.O.T or Pacific Islander Leaders of Tomorrow, was an incredible experience for me. One of the highlights was listening to Fia Collins, who inspired us with her strength and determination. She motivates us, as Polynesian Youth, to learn some of the traits of being a Pacific leader. She talked about Courage and also some parts of History and used James Cook as one of her points. Her and her brother were discussing important topics like pay gaps faced by Pacific Islanders and how we can be a collective and do something about these types of situations. This was revealing the importance of representation in our communities. Another engaging speaker was Tapu, who brought humour and energy to the event. Her interactive game on communication encouraged us to physically express our opinions by moving to different sides of the room, making the learning process fun and engaging. We had to move to our left if we disagreed and move to our right if we agreed with our statement. This made me think critically about our opinions rather than simply following the crowd.
Overall, the PILOT experience was fantastic, and I am incredibly grateful to Mr Talamavao for his support in transporting us to and from the event. Additionally, I appreciate the PILOT group for dedicating their time to instill in us the value of leadership and the importance of stepping up for our family and communities. This experience has inspired me to embrace my potential and make a meaningful impact.
by Fakafetai Mafa Levi 12NN
Tuesday 22nd July, three other students and I took part in this one day program that took place in the Massey University, Albany Campus. The program is called PILOT and it stands for ‘Pacific Island Leaders Of Tomorrow’ when we arrived there were at least nine other schools with us and it was mixed between West and South Auckland. The estimate was over 91 students. When we arrived we walked into a theater with a man standing in front saying a speech. He talked about his journey and the way he navigated through the scenes of secondary to university as a brown Pacifica Male. He expressed the many temptations that tried to drag him back and mentioned his inspirations, the people in his life that inspired and pushed him into moving forward. One thing he kept saying was “To lead you have to learn, and to learn you have to lead.” In my interpretation, he says to lead you have to learn, to me it means that there is no man on this earth that would take lead when they have no knowledge of what's ahead, no plan. You cannot lead a crowd if you are uncertain of the unknown. Our guest speaker that day was Asetoa Sam Pilisi. Throughout the day we went through three different workshops in different areas of the University and all I can say is that it was a great experience. Walking through the halls of a Tertiary Institution gives you this strong, vibrant emotion that it could be you in a few years. The workshops all explained leadership and the history of our people. Overall this program was really inspirational. I heavily recommend this program to the upcoming pacific generation to give them the strong emotion and vibe I felt when I was there.
Fakafetai
Maatai Galiga 12 GZ
On Tuesday the 22nd of July, I attended the PILOT (Pacific Island Leaders of Tomorrow) event which was held on Massey University campus in the North Shore. As a Young Islander Male, I was conflicted yet also connected with this opportunity and ended up deciding to check it out. The PILOT program was unlike what I had expected. What I had predicted of PILOT was similar to all leadership programs I have taken a part in. I assumed our time would be spent on energisers and games that would build our confidence and connections with our peers at school as well as within the community. Instead, I experienced an eye opening decision that changed the way I view leadership all together. Through the help of the PILOT staff as well as speakers Asetoa Sam Pilisi, Fia Collins, Otago University, and Tapu Vea, I was able to understand the benefit of leadership for not only myself but also my Pacific Community and Heritage. The theme of PILOT was “Our ancestors were LEADERS of the Sea”. This theme felt truly suiting of the energy displayed throughout the event. The sea is a cast area of space that covers over 70% of the earth connecting every single piece of land and every single country. As a member of PILOT I now understand how the ideas of serving, being obedient yet active, humble yet confident, caring yet careful can lead us into a prosperous future. I understand the importance of Pasifka vote in our society as we are the ones being affected by it the most. I understand the difference between communicating to hear and communicating to appreciate. I understand the importance of our leadership style as it changes the way people are affected in either positive or negative ways. And finally I understand that leadership means relying on each other when support is needed instead of trying to fight our own battles.
Overall, I view the PILOT program as an eye opening experience that I am grateful for attending. I am grateful to Mr Talamavao and the PILOT staff for enabling this program for us Pacific Youth. I appreciate the time and dedication that was put into teaching us the many ways leadership can affect our future as Islanders. I pray and am confident that I am able to use this opportunity to the fullest to benefit not only myself but the entire sea we are able to lead as well.
Malo ‘Aupito
Daniel Fa’avae 12 WS
During 22/07/25, I was lucky enough to take part in a special programme devised for mostly Pacific students such as myself, the programme being PILOT (Pacific Island Leaders Of Tomorrow) taking place at Massey University within North Shore, from the moment we stepped into the campus, the staff really emphasised the importance of leadership, taking us through different workshops, explaining the different qualities and skills it takes to build it. One of the workshops really stood out to me though, Fia Collins had me realise how important Pacific Leadership and Resilience really is, relating to different quotes displayed from iconic pacific figures - “Pacific Leadership is Resilience + Selflessness” Lauaki Namulaulu Mamoe and Tevita Maka, “Pacific leaders are Trail Blazers” Prof Folasaitu Julia Ioane and Lisa Tai, “Pacific Leadership is Va (centred)” Sam Pilisi. When explaining all these different quotes and relations to our cultural identity as Pacific Islanders, she showed me the significance of Leadership and how I could use it to overcome any external obstacles we might face as a Pacific student myself. I would like to thank Mr Talamaivao for inviting me to participate in this event as well as the PILOT staff for hosting and making it an incredible experience for me and my peers, showing us how we can become Pacific Island Leaders Of Tomorrow.
Fakafetai
Iosua Simona 12MT
