New Initiatives Launched to Train More Pasifika Leaders

BEST Pacific Institute of Education (BEST) today celebrated the launch of two new initiatives that will help transform the Pasifika community by training and mentoring Pasifika to be top leaders in business, the community, Government, or as entrepreneurs.

The launch of the BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy and charitable Foundation also marked the retirement of New Zealand Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā from sport and her transition into a new role as Chief Executive of the Academy and charitable Foundation.

“I want to see Pasifika lead their own people to solve their own problems and to become world beaters! That’s why I am both personally and professionally committed to seeing the BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy and charitable Foundation succeed” said Faumuinā.

The Academy will provide leadership training programmes for Pasifika people in New Zealand, and will offer New Zealand’s first Diploma in Pasifika Leadership, commencing in April 2011. It is aimed at Pasifika men and women looking to progress to senior leadership positions, or start their own businesses. In future years, the Academy will seek to develop further diplomas and, in collaboration with other providers in the South Pacific, offer a Masters programme.

The Foundation is a charitable trust established to provide leadership development and mentoring programmes to students and others committed to growing their leadership potential and becoming top leaders for the Pasifika.

In delivering the keynote address to the launch of the Academy and charitable Foundation, held at TelstraClear Pacific in Manukau, Mayor Len Brown told the audience the nurturing and the development of the Pasifika voice in Auckland is key to the success of our city.

“Auckland is already the world’s largest Polynesian city. To achieve its potential as the world’s most liveable city, it also must be the most inclusive. Part of that is ensuring that all of our communities have a strong voice,” says Len Brown.

One way we are working towards that is Auckland’s new Pasifika Advisory Board. The BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy and Foundation will also take us a long way down that path”.

ENDS

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