Tula’i is a Pasifika Youth Development Organisation dedicated to empowering young Pasifika
Tula’i is a Pasifika Youth Development Organisation dedicated to empowering young Pasifika to arise and lead with confidence, purpose and pride. Guided by the core values of Love, Humility, Reciprocal Relationships and Respect.
The focus is on equipping Pasifika young people with the tools, connections and opportunities they need to thrive. By nurturing leadership, cultural identity, and resilience, inspiring the next generation to reach their full potential and positively impact their communities.
Raijeli Cagivinaka 12TND
Bula Vinaka, graduation was very fun and memorable for all of us. It was sad that this was gonna be our last time all together and that by the next week, we would have nothing to look forward to because there was gonna be no Tula’i on Wednesday. We learnt so much from this program and made so many new amazing connections with different people. A big thank you to my group Teuila for helping me to become more confident, and forcing me to step out of my comfort zone in the most funniest ways. These guys have made my time in Tula’i so enjoyable and funny. I will always be grateful for this experience and this program. And thank you to our tuakanas for all you do. Also can’t forget, THANK YOU to Mr Talamaivao and the other teachers for giving me this opportunity. TEUILA ON TOP!
Sulu Lagi 13TNN Bula Vinaka, because of Tula’i I was able to build my leadership skills, my confidence and also make new friends in and out of my group Fiti Pua. It also drew me closer to my culture and my understanding of who I am as a Pasifika student. Graduation really was a time where everyone got their last photos and videos together. I really liked how we got to express different cultures through dance to showcase to our families and friends. It felt unreal that Tula’i was going to be over after graduation but I'm grateful for all the memories that I’ve created with everyone. Shot Teuila for helping me be great. You guys are the best group. TEUILA ON TOP! Vinaka vaka levu.
Phil Chan Tung 13RRA From my experience Tula’i Graduation was one of my favourite experiences that I have ever had within Pacific Youth Leadership Programmes and had within my high school experience. Tula’i grad also made me feel proud to be able to perform for my culture and with my friends that I had made along the way. Graduation was so exhilarating because it was the end of our cohort but not the end of our long friendships we had made along the way. That night was also to show our friends and family about what we learnt, and the type of bond we all have for one another. Tula’i was the end of an era for us all and we made connections we never thought we could. I am gonna miss our groups that we had, especially mine, Tagimoucia where we had won all the prizes/maheles and group projects, except for the last one but hey we were humble and wanted to give the other groups a chance to win. But on a real note Tula’i was one the best pacific youth leadership ever and hope whoever does Tula’i next year has the same experience we all had.
Khalil William-Stehlin My Tula’i graduation experience was fun, sad and entertaining at the same time. The graduation was fun because I got to sing, dance and be a part of something that brought me and my cohort joy, it was a celebration of our accomplishment. When I graduated from tulai I felt more confident then I was compared to coming into Tula’i. It was also entertaining hearing my friends' experiences when they were speaking on stage to all of these parents, but I felt sad because it was the end of something that I looked forward to and also knowing that none of us will probably be all gathered together like this again was the worst part.
Tevita Mafi 12TBN Malo e lelei, Tula’i graduation was a memorable moment for all of us. It hurt to see that graduation would be the last time we see everyone as a cohort. Now that there is no more Tula’i my Wednesdays are not full anymore. Now we’re stuck to our old selves doing boring things. I’m glad I got to meet everyone from the different schools such as Kelston Boys College, Kelston Girls College, Green Bay High School, Henderson High School, Massey High School, Waitakere College, Liston College and St Dominic's college. A big shout out to my group Heilala, they’ve helped shape me into a better person encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. HEILALA HARD! Just a tip for the younger Pasifika who might do Tula’i, enjoy the time you spend with everyone. The first few weeks would be awkward since you’re meeting new people. From my experience I was able to gain close connections with Pasifika students who come from different schools. But now that Tula’i is finished I’m going to truly miss seeing everyone and it’s something I don’t regret doing. Malo aupito Tula’i Ngaue for this opportunity.
Paolo Lameko 12TBN My own 2026 Tula’i cohort has been amazing, from meeting a bunch of wonderful people with a bunch of wonderful memories & fun experiences. To playing talamu with the boys before and after Tula’i, to the tula’i maheles itself, to our late night calls, to our 3am roblox’s sessions, to everyone ragebaiting everyone, to camp happening, and camp being the best thing that happened. I was being told that camp is very important & honestly it really was, because it really brought us all together. You see, what I love about these connections is that not only are we brothers & sisters from another mother…but we’re brothers from different schools. & that might not sound too crazy, but what I find so crazy about it - is that, you either have friends from your own school or friends through extracurricular activities like sports. But the difference about sports & Tula’i is that for sports, you're only friends with that person because they're good at their sport, or they just play the same sport as you. whereas for Tula’i your friends with them because of who they are as a person. Tula'i has the ability to put people from different backgrounds together. Tula’i has the ability to put people’s introverted guards down & let them express theirselves, because I was seeing people who were always expressing themselves rather than being themselves. So therefore I can understand why it's called a leadership programme, because not only do you see leadership in our very own tuakanas, but you start to see leadership in one’s self.
Zariah Atutolu-Tino 12MSC Being at Tula’i has been a really meaningful experience for me. Throughout the programme, I have grown in confidence and developed my leadership skills. I stepped outside of my comfort zone, met new people and made connections with students from different schools. One of the biggest things I learned is that leadership is not just about leading others, but also about listening, supporting and working together. Tula’i has helped me understand my strengths and areas I can improve on and I will take these lessons with me as I continue my leadership journey. Shout out to my number one group Heilala for always supporting and encouraging each other, you all made this journey so much more enjoyable and fun. I’ll always be grateful for the people, memories and lessons Tula’i gave me, this is an experience I will never forget. Fakaaue lahi, HEILALA HARD!🌺
Lote Tuliakiono 12TN Reflecting on my Tula’i journey I can confidently say that it has been far more meaningful than I ever anticipated. What began as simply being a part of a leadership programme gradually became an experience filled with genuine friendships, unforgettable memories, personal growth and connections that I know will extend far beyond Tulai itself. One of my biggest core memories at our camp will always be sitting in the Cabin with the girls, singing together,laughing until we couldn’t breathe and creating those simple moments that somehow became some of the most memorable memories. I had always been told that camp was an important part of Tulai but I never fully understood its significance until I experienced it myself. Camp became more than just an event, it was a turning point that brought us closer together, allowed us to let our guards down and created an environment where we could genuinely connect with one another beyond the people we thought we knew. One of the things I value the most about Tulai is the diversity of the connections it has created. We come from different schools, different backgrounds and different experiences yet somehow we were brought together and given the opportunity to form relationships based not on what we are known for but simply on who we are as individuals. That is what makes Tulai so special. It brings people together beyond the labels of schools, backgrounds and where we come from and allows us to connect simply as pacific people. It has taught me that leadership isn’t only about leading others but also building meaningful relationships, stepping out of your comfort zone and discovering the leader within yourself. I’ll always be grateful for the memories, friendships and lessons Tula’i has given me and I know this is an experience I’ll carry with me long after it ends.
