Music, with cultural song and dance, food and guest speakers marked the occasion of SIT’s Pasifika Open Night recently. SIT graduate, Lemani Hingano, shares her SIT experiences with the Pasifika community. Lemani achieved a Bachelor of Nursing, and is a registered nurse working at the Inpatient Mental Health Unit - Southland Hospital.
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The annual SIT Pasifika Open Night was held recently; in collaboration with Pacific Island Advisory & Charitable Trust (PIACT), to provide New Zealand’s southernmost Pasifika community with an event informing them on education and training opportunities.
Held at the PIACT facilities on September 12th, around 70 people attended; SIT staff were on hand to show students the study choices available at SIT, to encourage them to think outside typical options, and consider the broader range of tertiary qualifications, which may open new doors and enhance career opportunities for them. Attendees were also informed on the supportive learning environment offered to Pasifika students at SIT, “giving each student the best chance to succeed in their studies,” SIT Pasifika Liaison, Sam Sala, said.
The evening also facilitated an integral part of Pasifika culture - the community coming together collectively, to spend time in each other’s company. The colourful night had music to accompany cultural song and dance, as well as meeting around a meal and some traditional Pasifika food. Mr Sala said it was really important for the community to be together in this customary way, to talk with each other and support and encourage one another.
Invercargill’s Pacific Island community (around 2,600) is made up of people mainly from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and the Cook Islands.
SIT Pasifika Liaison, Sam Sala, supports Pasifika students with course advice, study issues, cultural event organisation, and helps them to connect with their local cultural communities. Enquiries via email