5 Pasifika Wāhine Highlighted in Y25 2024 Cohort
There are five Pasifika wāhine in the 2024 Y25 (25 young wāhine and irarere under 25 yrs who are fighting for better systems, communities, and worlds)!
The Y25 programme is a celebration of self-identified wāhine and tāhine, 25 years and under, doing incredible things for their communities and world. Get to know them and their incredible work here!
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ANNAFINAU ESETA PONITA TUKUITOGA
Country Music Star / Niuean Language Activist
Niuean-Fijian Annafinau is a rising country music/ bluegrass star who received the Creative New Zealand ‘Arts, Culture and Creativity Award' at a ceremony for the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards at the Beehive in 2022. Annafinau’s music has resonated in spaces across Aotearoa, which was acknowledged in the title she was given as ‘New Zealand Country Music Youth Ambassador’ by the PM.
This bright afine Niue is a testament to the warrior women who raised her. From her beautiful Nan to her incredible Mum, she often says that the strong women in her life shaped her world and that she wouldn't be who she is without them.
This role model is also inspiring others and two years ago she travelled up and down Aotearoa encouraging rangatahi to explore their musical identities and consider country music as there is so much scope for storytelling in this genre. Annafinau is also a champion for her endangered Niue language bringing its beautiful phrases to her lyrics and melodies.
Annafinau was also selected as the Youth Ambassador to Hawaii as part of the NZ delegation attending the 13th Arts & Cultural Festival held in Hawaii in June 2024. Annafinau's role in this space is to bring the voice of young Pasifika people living in New Zealand to the region.
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GRACE FAKAHAU
Social Justice & Pasifika Activist
Proud of her Tongan roots, Grace likes to roll her sleeves up and look for leadership roles in grassroots initiatives. This compassionate wahine, who grew up in Palmerston North, believes in the power of collective action and is driven by the principles of social justice and the power of a village.
From being Head of Communities at Palmerston North Girls High School, then Head Girl at Amanaki STEM Academy, Grace has servant leadership in her bones. Standing strong in the values instilled in her by her family, she’s committed to championing inclusivity, diversity, and the decolonization of spaces.
From leading climate marches to advocating for marginalized communities, this fireball pushes for better - for communities, places, spaces and the planet. Currently studying Law, Public Policy and Pacific Studies at Te Herenga Waka / University of Wellington, she’s focused on humanitarian and criminal justice law.
She's also a law tutor, the former chairperson of the Palmerston North Youth Council providing platforms for impactful community kōrero and youth advocacy, plus she has interned with Treasury. Alongside study and advocating, this incredible trailblazer’s also working with Manatū Mō Te Taiao / Ministry for the Environment.
Grace’s grandmother is very proud of her!
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KAYLA SCHWALGER
Mental Health & Pacific Youth Changemaker
Growing up feeling disconnected from her cultural roots, Kayla navigated the complexities of her identity as a young tama'ita'i Samoa in a Westernized society while grappling with her mental health.
As a neurodiverse wahine navigating life with Borderline Personality Disorder, Kayla brings a unique perspective to her advocacy work and creative endeavours and writes all about it on her blog 'The Worst of Kayla'.
Her first-hand experience of confronting the mental health stigma within Pasifika communities ignited her passion to empower youth to rediscover and embrace their Pasifika heritage. She's all about dismantling generational cycles and uplifting Pasifika culture to foster healing and is the co-founder of Tapasā - Navigating Futures - a platform that empowers Pacific youth to uplift their mental health by reconnecting with their cultures.
Currently studying her Masters at AUT with her thesis: "Navigating Mental Health in the Digital Age - Insights from Young Samoans and Their Communities.” Kayla also freelances as a website designer, artist, copywriter, and photographer.
This trailblazer’s kaupapa is to educate others on the enduring effects of migration and colonization while highlighting support and opportunities for Pasifika youth to make waves for future generations.
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MELE 'OFA-KI-VILA MAFI
Rangatahi in STEM Trailblazer
Hailing from the Kingdom of Tonga, Mele is a trailblazer in STEM, bringing her passion for indigenous knowledge and leadership qualities with her. Born in Aotearoa and raised in Tonga by a remarkable single mother alongside her sister, Mele excelled academically, securing a scholarship to study engineering in Aotearoa after being Dux in Year 13.
Currently serving as the President of the South Pacific and Indigenous Engineering Students Incorporated Society (SPIES) at the University of Auckland creating opportunities for aspiring Māori and Pasifika engineers through partnerships with engineering companies. Mele’s finding ways to support rangatahi curious about STEM.
She’s tutored high school students through Pacific Academy and has been an Apollo program teaching assistant supporting year 12 students with Calculus and transitioning to uni. In February 2024, Mele was invited to join the Māori and Pacific engineering research centre as a research assistant, including a trip to Tonga.
As a key advisor, Mele drew on her cultural knowledge and language to facilitate meaningful discussions to help to address challenges in the research space for the Pacific Region. She is currently working at Mott Macdonald as a graduate Civil Engineer.
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ROSALIE NORTON
Musician, Speaker & Rangatahi Advocate
Lehali is the stage name for 19-year-old Kirikiriroa born, Rosalie Norton. Her Nana came from a small village called Lehali on the island of Ureparapara, Vanuatu, which is the inspiration behind the artist name for this multi-faceted musician.
This wahine draws inspiration and strength from her whakapapa, to express and articulate her story, culture and experiences through music. In March 2023, Rosalie released her debut album ‘Growing Pains’, which she wrote, played and produced in her own bedroom! The album explores growing up, navigating life and her identity.
She also just released her first big single called ‘Company’ and the music video was funded by NZ On Air. But music’s not the only string to Rosalie’s bow. At 16, Rosalie became TEDxRuakura's youngest speaker.
From there she went on to speak at events and facilitate workshops for youth, through her business, mindbox.nz, which she founded in 2020 to offer hauora workshops and products for youth.
Youth advocacy is also important to Rosalie who is a member of many boards across the motu, including Seed Waikato, Inspiring Stories Youth Advisory Group, University of Waikato Student Union Pacific Director, The Hive and Co-Chair of the Waikato Regional Council’s Youth Council.