O le ala i le pule o le Tautua – the pathway to leadership is through service

Mark your calendars for this lecture by Senior Lecturer Tufulasi Taleni. The shaping of the Soalaupulega Samoa Theory (SST) has happened in response to my research to understand the effective educational leadership qualities for the success of Pacific learners across all school sectors. This presentation will outline how Soalaupulega Samoa theory is a call for ‘Dialogue’ to discuss Indigenous Pacific research methodologies informed by Pacific epistemologies. It comes within a context of Pacific research models that have been developed during recent decades, in part, as a resistance movement to hegemonic colonial practices and the domination of western research from the beginning. Throughout this presentation, I reflect on the centrality and vitality of the Samoan cultural value of ‘Tautua’ (service) which informs the Soalaupulega approach in relation to quality leadership practices.

About the presenter

Leali’ie’e Tufulasifa’atafatafa Ova Taleni

In 2002 Tufulasi joined the University of Canterbury Education Plus, UC College of Education in his role as Senior Pasifika Educational Adviser.

2016: Tufulasi took up a role as the Kaiarahi Pasifika for the University of Canterbury.

2021: Tufulasi transferred from his Kaiarahi Pasifika role to his role as Senior Lecturer.

Tufulasi holds a leadership role in the Government’s 10-year National Science Challenges - A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea.

Tufulasi coordinated and led key Pasifika Initiatives in his Pasifika leadership role at UC, these include:

• the establishment of the University of Canterbury Pasifika Talanoa Centre
• the coordination and leading of the Pasifika Education Initiative, Samoa Malaga (trip)
• establishing and leading of the UC College Pasifika Advisory Group (PAG).

In 2017, Tufulasi was awarded the 2017 NZARE Rae Munro Award for excellence for his Master’s thesis. He was the first Pasifika researcher to receive the award.

Tufulasi is currently studying towards his doctorate degree at the University of Canterbury.

Leali’ie’e Tufulasifa’atafatafa Ova Taleni is a Samoan Matai, a leader in his family, his village of Vaiafai, Iva in Samoa, his Church and his Pacific community in Aotearoa.

He is an active member of the NZQA Taupulega Pasifika Advisory Group.

Parking: Please note there will be free car parking available in the Biology car park outside the Rehua building off Forestry Road.