Written by Maggie Tulisi, Sau e Siva West Auckland
Reflecting upon Retreat One of The Mana Moana Experience, I remember driving down what seemed to be a never-ending driveway and then to be in an amazing state of ‘awe’ness’ as the expansive greenery enveloped you like a ‘welcome home hug’! Nerves quickly evaporated with the smiles of strangers who would over the next three days, become your family, your village.
The official welcome by the Mana Moana 2019 Alumni along with the core team and Leadership NZ staff was heartwarming, and the presence of alofa/aloha/aroha was definitely felt by all. Each guest speaker left imprints of wisdom in each of us: To look inside ourselves and remember who you are; To reawaken your ‘essential’ self; To recognise that on this vaka/waka, we journey collectively towards healing, so that we can transform Leadership into this amazing Pacific Experience!
In the last five to six weeks, my daughter, niece and I have had the privilege of teaching Marist College Samoa Group 2020. At our last week of rehearsals, I took my fala and sat on it watching the girls rehearse. From my fala I would instruct, critique, give advice. I had a number of students come up to me at the end saying, “You remind me of my grandma who would sit on her fala then the couch at home” or “I remember when I went to Samoa and my grandma would always be sitting in the fale telē on her fala”. I smiled in secret…ahhh, they are ‘remembering!’.
Marist College held its Po Fiafia night in the weekend past. Minutes prior to walking on stage, a group of students approached me and asked “Miss, may we use your fala for our performance?”. I looked at them and said, “Why?”. One of them replied, “The fala is to honour our ancestors, you talk about how we siva with your ancestors? Well tonight, the fala will be our visual reminder that we siva on the shoulders of our ancestors”.
Thank you Leadership NZ for re-awakening my eyes and ears to the learnings which I am already passing on to our future generations. I look forward to what brings us in at the Retreat Two. My vaka/waka will be ready and my ancestors will be too.
Did Maggie’s story resonate with you? This is one of many purposeful and profound experiences on The Mana Moana Experience.
Are you a mid-career Pasifika leader who cares for the future of New Zealand? Do you know someone who is? Applications for our 2021 Experience are OPEN NOW. https://www.leadershipnz.co.nz/applications-faqs