October marks the tenth anniversary of the University’s beautiful Fale Pasifika.
The Fale was opened on 2 October 2004 by Prime Minister Helen Clark. More than 600 people attended the ceremony, including such Pacific dignitaries as the Prime Minister of Samoa, the Hon Tuila’epa Sailele Malielegaoi; Eseta Fusitu’a, Chief Secretary and Secretary to the Cabinet of Tonga; and Arthur Iaveta, Consul General for the Cook Islands. Representatives of Ngati Whatua and the New Zealand government also joined the public, university staff and students at this 'moving, joyful and colourful occasion'.
Pacific Studies staff members are currently busy organising events to celebrate the Fale’s first decade in similar style. Head of Pacific Studies Associate Professor Damon Salesa says the planned celebrations include a student art exhibition, a research forum and an official function on the date of the anniversary, Thursday 2 October. Once again, the invitees will include dignitaries from the University, New Zealand government and the wider Pacific community.