The roadshow events were arranged between the University, the Electoral Commission, and the mayors of the respective local councils. The Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor Pasifika and the Future Students team at the University shared the costs with the Electoral Commission, including food for the events. The Electoral Commission enrolled people to vote during the information evenings.
“We were determined to go out to the communities, to humanise the university experience for our people,” says Associate Professor Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika). “Not everyone has the opportunity to go to Wellington for Open Day, so this way we bring everything to them.”
“Our people dream big and aim high,” said Dame Winnie at one of the events in Levin. “Built on the legacy of your parents and grandparents who came here for more opportunities and a better life.”
For each event, the Pasifika team, academic staff, current students, and alumni provided information about university life, the support available for Pasifika people, and talked about their journeys. They encouraged older Pasifika people to consider university study as well as younger students.
The roadshow events had great engagement from attendees, and there was academic representation from all University disciplines.
“I’m excited about the collaboration between our Pasifika communities and our staff—both Pasifika and non-Pasifika—here at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington,” says Dr Stuart Marshall, Associate Dean (Academic Development, Engineering).
“Anyone can come to university at any age, there’s great support and a whole host of options for study, whether you’re joining University for the first time, coming back to complete unfinished business, or going even further and exploring postgraduate work.”
This was the first time taking the Pasifika information evenings on the road to the region, and the team plans to do the roadshow again next year.
“We had wonderful engagement with the families and communities at the roadshow, and people are looking forward to us continuing this next year and future years,” says Dame Winnie.