Māori and Pacific Student Leaders Gather

Published July 7, 2022

This week, the Māori and Pacific student leaders from St Peter’s College, Auckland and St Cuthbert’s College spent planning time together. They are collaborating on an event which will inspire and empower young Māori and Pacific people as well as celebrate their Pasifika culture. The theme of the event is “my culture is the foundation of my success”.

The student leaders participated in a range of team building activities and listened to three guest speakers:

Taylah Johnson is a multi-talented woman with many tools under her belt. She has represented New Zealand in BMX Racing and Samoa in Rugby Union. She is an auditor at KPMG, and is a commentator and presenter at Sky Sport New Zealand, where she was praised last year as she was the first  woman to commentate a men’s test match in New Zealand. 

Dr Michelle Johansson is CEO / Kaitiaki and also Kāuru Kura / Head of School, at Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ who stive to grow exceptional people to teach in low-decile schools. She is also the Creative Director of the Black Friars theatre company.

Dimitrius Koloamatangi  is an actor who was well-known to the students. In 2021 he gave a powerful performance as Will ‘Ilolahia, the founder of the Polynesian Panthers, in TVNZ’s premium drama The Panthers.

We are so grateful to these inspirational speakers for taking the time to work with our students.