Our Māori and Pasifika Young Women Dream Big

On Tuesday 24 May, a group of Year 12 and 13 Māori and Pasifika women attended the Dream Girl 2022 conference. Founded and orchestrated by the non-profit organisation Sisters United, the conference had a focus on empowering and growing the confidence of young Māori and Pasifika women. The event brought together schools from all corners of Tāmaki Makaurau, with young women uniting in the name of sisterhood and cultural connection. 

Through workshops that ran throughout the duration of the day, our girls were given insight into the future of business, health, ambition, and faith for Māori and Pasifika communities. An underpinning message across all workshops was that hard work and diligence are at the essence of success, with our culture and ways of life working in accordance with this to build sustainable and admirable futures.

Fostering new connections with Māori and Pasifika women from other schools was invaluable in sharing testimonies of our culture and womanhood, finding common ground in our upbringing, and creating new avenues of support as we transition out of high school. An eye-opening moment for all was the kōrero shared by Dame Valerie Adams, her poise and work ethic paying homage to the competent and exceedingly capable nature of Māori and Pasifika women. 

A special thank you to Mrs Lafaele and Miss Clarkson for their support during the conference — to have Māori and Pasifika female staff members attend and relish in the day with us was humbling, furthering the connection between staff and students at Pakuranga. We also thank them for their stellar dance moves throughout the day!

It was ultimately the organisation and mahi done by our Head Girl Kayla Ngaropo that permitted us to attend the event — a heartfelt ngā mihi Kayla for your hard work and dedication. 

Charlotte Tukiri – Head Student, Year 13