WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - RUANNA TAGALOASA-LETALU
RUANNA TAGALOASA-LETALU
NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - SOLOMON GROUP
SAMOAN / NIUEAN
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My name is Ruanna Tagaloasa-Letalu. I am 44 years old. My mother is half Samoan half Niuean. My mother comes from the village of Letogo, my father from the village of Sataoa Safata. I am married with two children both boys (16 and 5 years old). I work for Solomon Group and am the National Partnerships Manager and have been employed for four months. Previously I was employed by the Ministry of Social Development for 18 years. In the last 2.5 years of my work with MSD I was the Operations Manager for Ara (Auckland Airport Jobs and Skills Hub) which was the partnership between government and Auckland Airport to support the 30 year development of the Auckland Airport expansion.
You were recently appointed the Strategic Partnership Manager for second chance training provider the Solomon Group - can you tell us what this job entails for you and how you want to impact Pacific People in particular?
This role gives me the opportunity to work with employers, social sector services government and the community of Pacific people to develop programmes to upskill people to gain relevant skills to access employment that creates career development pathway whilst in employment.
Why is it relevant that a Pacific person is the Strategic Partnership Manager for the Solomon Group?
I don’t think it’s about being Pacific however having someone that understands the need of Pacific people makes all the difference. Understanding our challenges, fears, aspirations means I am better able to develop programmes together with employers that will meet their needs which will result in a successful career pathway for them and their families as well meet the needs of employers which is a skilled workforce resulting in higher productivity. It also gives me the opportunity to support employers in better understanding of their pacific workforce and ways they can better support and work together with each other.
How does being a Pacific Islander impact your life and work?
In my work life being of pacific island is a huge responsibility to ensure I do all that I can in developing the right partnerships with employers and stakeholders to support as many Pacific people as possible. The need to ensure these partnerships are developed quickly as too many of our people are currently disengaged from employment or opportunities to upskill to gain employment.
I am blessed to be born a pacific islander and so I take the teachings, history of my ancestors and my people and life’s lessons and incorporate into my life as a daughter, a mother, a wife and in my career as a Manager to impact whomever I serve in order to support them to identify their potential.
What were the pathways that led you to where you are now?
I credit hard work, being resilient and having a strong faith has led me to where I am today. Being faithful in whatever role you’re doing, taking in all the learnings etc. This is a philosophy I work by.
Luke 16:10
"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities."
How has your upbringing & culture shaped you into the woman you are today?
My upbringing is typical of any pacific migrant story. Born and raised in Samoa until I was 9 years old, when my parents and my young siblings migrated to NZ seeking a ‘better life’. My parents reminded my siblings and I that this was the reason we left Samoa in search of a better future for us. Looking back now I am humbled by my parent’s decision in leaving their comfortable surrounding and life, so we their children can have a better life. It is an opportunity I don’t take lightly and challenge others to better themselves for the sake of their families and for future generations.
I have a real appreciation of my culture and am very proud to be of pacific specifically Samoan, the traditions and values this has taught me is very important to me as a woman. At the forefront of my mind, historically how hard my people have worked in the plantations and fishing for their families to survive gives me a real appreciation of the legacy of my people that have paved the way for where hard work and resiliency pays off.
Who or what inspires you?
Many things inspire me, my children, my husband, my family, my faith in God and all the people that are yet to need the opportunity that I can provide for them for a better career and future I am blessed to be given the opportunity to breath life, to be physically and mentally able to function, I will use this opportunity to be all that I can be in the one life I am given on this earth.
