College of Auckland
Tristan
Tongi Petelo Ah-Sui’s commencement from Waipapa Taumata Rau,
College of Auckland, marks a collective triumph for his
household and wider Pacific group.
Crossing the stage
on 8 September with a Bachelor of Arts, Tristan displays on
a journey formed by sacrifice, service, and the energy of
his village. Because the second youngest of ten youngsters, he
challenges individualistic narratives, embracing a Pacific
worldview the place management is communal and
legacy-driven.
“There’s a saying I’ve held onto
since my first yr,” says Tristan. “Pacific management
is weaving a fala (conventional mat) you’ll
by no means lay on, however you’re content material – realizing someday your
youngsters will.”
Born to Gaono Ah-Sui Ah-Sui and
Tutongi Tafiti, Tristan’s heritage spans Sāmoa, Tonga,
China, and the Solomon Islands. His father hails from
Vailele and Salelavalu, and his mom from Saleilua
Falealili.
Named after his mom and paternal
grandfather, the second youngest of 10 youngsters, he’s
among the many only a few from his prolonged household to earn a
college diploma.
Based mostly in Pukekohe, Tristan’s
dad and mom have actually been the driving pressure behind his
tutorial research.
“It’s been hard-going for us,
we’re from Pukekohe, there have been some days he’s
wanted a elevate to come back into town – it’s an effort that
has paid off as we speak!” stated his father Gaono.
Commercial – scroll to proceed studying
“For
our aiga, this can be a second we now have been ready
for,” says Tristan.
Youthful brother TJ is at present
finishing his last semester of a commerce diploma on the
College of Auckland. With an older brother already having
crossed the stage, it may make them a trio of graduates –
fulfilling the desires each dad and mom carried, once they moved
to Aotearoa within the Nineteen Seventies and 80s.
Tristan’s dad and mom
set their very own aspirations apart to assist him and his
siblings. He says his father has been an incredible supplier,
whereas his mom’s research had been placed on maintain to lift and
assist them. Their house additionally grew to become a multigenerational
haven for others, embodying the Pacific precept of tautua
(service).
“We didn’t have a lot, however that by no means
stopped my dad and mom from serving each time they may,”
Tristan remembers.
“I’ve come to actually perceive
the that means of ‘it takes a village to lift a toddler’ –
as a result of I’m that youngster.”
His tutorial journey started
in highschool, the place he attended a presentation by the
College’s Faculties and Neighborhood Engagement Group, later
becoming a member of Dream Fonotaga, a camp based by the late
Fa’anānā Efeso Collins.
By way of UniBound, he
found a cohort of Pacific college students who made college
really feel like house.
“The College had already opened
its doorways to us, made house for us and made us consider we
belonged.”
Regardless of the assist, Tristan confronted
challenges – leaving house at 18, the passing of his nana
throughout exams, and the loneliness of dwelling away from
household.
“There’s a silent strain that comes from
realizing your journey isn’t simply yours, that you just carry your
household’s hopes and desires with you.”
Tristan’s
management blossomed by means of service. He grew to become a pupil
ambassador for the Workplace of the Professional Vice-Chancellor
Pacific, co-founded the Village Arts Affiliation, and
obtained each a College of Auckland Blues Award and the
Sunpix Pacific Peoples Rising Chief Award.
He additionally
travelled to Korea and Japan by means of the 360 Worldwide
programme.
“Exterior of our Pacific circles,
management is rooted in individualism – the place success is
one thing private and owned,” Tristan explains. “However
that’s not how we lead as Pasifika. Our management is
collective. It’s about transferring with function and ensuring
that we don’t rise alone.”
He honoured his
grandparents Gaono Taumaoe Ah-Sui and Masina Ah-Sui
(paternal), Tuilealiifano Tepa Tafiti and particularly his
late nana Taulagia Tafiti (maternal) who raised him
alongside his mom.
“I carry you with me on the
stage as an ode to your tautua and the nice
sacrifice you might have made for us. My diploma is
yours.”
He additionally acknowledged his many mates and
highschool lecturers: Mr and Mrs Faitala, Mrs Tangi, Mrs
Pole, Ms Manoa, Mr Eason, Mr Bean, and Miss Lalakai
(RIP).
His tutorial journey was buoyed by College
mentors and employees:
Dr Marcia Leenen-Younger, Dr Patrick
Thomsen, Dr Therese Lautua, Dr Sarah McLean-Orsborn, Pacific
Well being Wayfinders supervisor Rennie Atfield-Douglas, doctoral
candidate Zoe Henry, deputy Professional Vice-Chancellor Pacific Sili
Ropati, Tai Tonga Head of Campus Tangatakiikii Pauline
Teura’atua-Rupeni, Skilled Educating Fellow Sharon
Televave, Unibound supervisor Sara Toleafoa, Faculties and
Neighborhood Engagement Pathways supervisor Katalina Ma, lecturer
Josephina Tamatoa and Bex Toloa from Te Papa
Manaaki.
Now working within the College’s Careers,
Improvement and Employability Companies, Tristan is wanting
forward to additional research.
“Training is about having
choices and the flexibility to decide on. My college journey has
been so inspiring, and I don’t suppose it’s ending
right here.”
