Aere Tai

Rotorua Kids Power Up

Posted 14/10/2015

Back to News

Tenei Peato and her six children attend Pasifika Power Up Rotorua

With six children aged from three to 17, Tenei Peato has her hands full. But one event the family always look forward to is the Pasifika Power Up programme held at Sunset Primary School in Rotorua.

A joint Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Ministry of Education initiative, the Pasifika Power Up programme provides a study hub for school students, their families and the Pacific community to enjoy in a positive and friendly environment.

The Rotorua ‘Power Station’ study hub is run by Aere Tai Rotorua Provider, the Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust (RPIDCT). It was the first study hub to be run outside the main cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

“It’s a great environment for my children to learn, but good for me to learn, too,” says Tenei, who was born in Tokelau.

“I’m learning more about the school system and feel more confident asking questions.”

She says her children, particularly her oldest son who attends John Paul College in Rotorua, enjoy the fact they’re able to regularly meet students from other local schools.

Tenei’s family moved to New Zealand in the 1970s when she was a baby for job opportunities in forestry.

Although forestry is still prominent in the Bay of Plenty region, Tenei knows that helping her children succeed in education is more important than ever.

Chrissy Russell, a board member for RPIDCT, says the popularity of the Pasifika Power Up programme continues to grow and has exceeded expectations.

“It’s being embraced by our Pacific community and is just what we needed,” says Chrissy, who is also Advisor ECE & Sector Enablement & Support for the Ministry of Education in the region.