PILOT was an opportunity to learn different skills and plans

Pacific Island Leaders Of Tomorrow - PILOT Year 13 

Kia Orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Ni Sa Bula and warm Pasifika greetings. 

On Thursday the 8th of May  Dora Ata 13CS, Kiara Lafaele 13IN, Erollis Soseu 13WO, Aloima Taumataga 13TR, Nia Su’a 13IN, Thereza Su’a 13AN and myself Emma Ngau 13AX were blessed with the opportunity of being a part of a Pacific Island workshop called PILOT at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) North Shore Campus. PILOT was an opportunity to learn different skills and plans for ourselves after school. We had a guest speaker talk to us about life during studying and life after studying. Geoffery Matautia, a Southside hard representative of  Rewa (Manurewa), is a photographer who only likes to take on jobs that cater towards our Pasifika communities and likes to incorporate his local artist and musicians into his work as well . He talked about his struggles on starting and studying as well as the outcome of his career that has evolved as time went on. 

We were all put into different groups and had 3 different colours, red, blue and green. I was in the blue team. After morning tea we were asking to form into our groups with all the different schools. Our first workshop was about legacy, What is Legacy? A question that was asked right at the start of our legacy workshop. “ Legacy is a treasure or a gift that passed down to all the different generations that was built by those before” that was my answer to that question. Our first workshop to get us to think and talk about what we would like to be known for after school or what treasure or gift you would leave for those to come. 

Our second workshop was about resilience, how can we be more resilient? The last question or message that we had to think about before moving onto our next workshop. “ To be more open minded about the way we do things as well as knowing we are allowed and we deserve to be in these spaces.” This workshop was about finding resilience in being in big places like university, our speaker talked about her life as a university student who came from a blood line of hard workers, she has parents who migrated from Tonga at the ages of 16 and who were a part of the Dawn Raids in the 70’s and how they had to have resilience during a time like that to be able to live in New Zealand.  

by Emma Ngau 13AX 

Our last workshop was about ‘ life after high school’, which gave me a realistic glimpse into life after school and the steps I need to take to get there. By exploring different paths, whether it's university or alternative routes, I gained valuable insights into what I need to prepare for and look out for. This program helped me identify my strengths, weaknesses, and interests, allowing me to make informed decisions about my future. I also learned about the importance of time management, goal setting, and resilience, which will undoubtedly benefit me regardless of whether I choose to pursue higher education or not. Overall, the program was an eye-opener for me, and we’re grateful to Mr Talamaivao for the opportunity to have us participate in this. 

by Nia Su’a 13IN 

The PILOT program for young Pasifika students has profoundly impacted my personal development and my approach to planning for the future. One of the most valuable takeaways was learning about resilience. I’ve come to realise that resilience isn’t just bouncing back from setbacks, but it’s about staying focused, adapting to challenges, and finding strength in adversity. This shift in my mindset has empowered me to see difficulties as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles to avoid. 

Another key lesson that I learned was the importance of surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people. The program emphasizes how vital it is to build a network that encourages you during tough times and helps you stay grounded. Additionally, it has reminded me of the power of speaking life into myself, affirming my worth and potential, especially when doubts arise. So this was a good reminder in helping me to approach challenges with more confidence and optimism. One workshop that stood out to me was “Life After High School”, which inspired me to think about my career path in a way using the DOTS model. The model- Decision Learning (self-discovery), Opportunity Awareness (exploring careers), Transition Learning (making plans), Self-Awareness (taking action). This has given me a clear, structured way to approach career planning. It provided a roadmap to help me make international, informed decisions at each stage of my journey. Overall, the program has strengthened and helped me take more control of both my personal growth and planning my career trajectory, giving me tools to move forward with confidence and purpose. Fa’afetai lava to Mr Talamaivao for organizing us and getting us safely there and back. 

by Thereza Su’a 13AN