Talofa lava and kia ora koutou,
Firstly, I want to say a huge fa’afetai tele lava and thank you to the Kate Edger Foundation for this New Start Award. To stand here not only as a recipient, but also as someone able to share my story, is such an honour.
My journey into education hasn’t been straight forward. I grew up here in Aotearoa, proud of my Samoan roots, but like many of us, life threw challenges my way. A few years ago, I found myself as a single mum of two little ones, starting again. Every choice since then has been about showing my children that no matter what you’ve been through, you can rise, you can learn, and you can create a brighter future.
Returning to study as an adult hasn’t been easy. There were moments of doubt, moments where the juggle of motherhood and assignments felt too much, but I kept reminding myself of my why. My children are my why, and biggest motivation to keep going!!
This award has been more than financial support. It has been encouragement. A reminder that others believe in me and in my dream of becoming a teacher. It has lifted pressure from my shoulders and allowed me to focus on learning and preparing to give back to the next generation.
To my fellow awardees, congratulations!! Your journeys may look different, but what connects us is perseverance. And to the Foundation and supporters, thank you. You may see this as supporting individuals, but you’re uplifting families, communities, and future generations.
As we celebrate the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, I carry this award with pride, not just for myself, but for my children, my aiga, and the wider Pasifika and Māori communities I hope to serve through education.
One of my favourite Samoan proverbs says, O le ala i le pule o le tautua, the pathway to leadership is through service. That’s what education means to me. It’s serving my children, my community, and the future of Aotearoa.
Fa’afetai tele lava, ngā mihi nui, and may the next 20 years of the Kate Edger Foundation continue to change lives the way you have changed mine.
_______________________________________________________
We had the honour of one of our 2025 Awardees, Amanda Tuiali’i, speaking on behalf of her fellow awardees at our Ceremony. Her speech was heartfelt, inspiring, and beautifully captured the spirit of what it means to be a Kate Edger awardee.
Amanda is the recipient of the New Start Award, in honour of Dame Dorothy Winstone and Rae Hammer, and is currently studying for her Bachelor of Education in Teaching. We look forward to seeing her progress and wish her luck in her future teaching career!