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What do Pasifika teachers say?

Pasifika teachers are in great demand now in all teaching sectors. More men are also needed as teachers, particularly in primary schools and early childhood services.

Teaching is a challenging job, the pay and conditions are competitive and the rewards are enormous. It’s the perfect opportunity to share the subjects you enjoy as well as your sporting and cultural interests.

You'll also develop professional people and management skills that will be useful in your working, family, church and community life.

We've profiled a number of Pasifika teachers who talk about their experiences of teaching in New Zealand classrooms and early childhood services. Read their stories to find out just how satisfying they find teaching is as a career.

“I love absolutely everything about my job,” says Li’i enthusiastically. “It’s fulfilling to know you can work with these children from challenging backgrounds and move them from being unsure of who they are to getting out and socialising and showing independency after being some time at the centre.”

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“Coming to New Zealand from Tonga to study is a big step. You need a positive attitude and lots of determination to succeed.”

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“I really feel a driving force, a need for me to be here.”

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“It is great to help my students develop and gain a sense of achievement through physical education."

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“I love the diversity of cultures I meet everyday and the diversity of roles I have to undertake. I’m a real fan of children having positive experiences in their early years ."

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It wasn’t until Naketa had been through teacher education that she really understood what the word professional meant. “It gave me the tools to access and extend children’s learning."

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“By furthering my studies, it has helped mould my perception of how to foster our children’s uniqueness.”

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Star says he was inspired by his secondary teachers in Samoa. “They helped us to realise how important learning and education is. Even though when I was growing up all I had on my mind was playing rugby!”

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