New Scholarship Fund Aims To Build Pacific Leaders

*19 May 2011*

New Scholarship Fund Aims To Build Pacific Leaders

A new scholarship fund, aimed at building Pacific leaders through the BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy and Charitable Foundation, will be officially launched on Tuesday, 24 May at The University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika.

Honourable Hekia Parata, Minister for Women's Affairs and Ethnic Affairs, will give the key note address at the launch.

The BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy and Foundation was launched in 2010 by Auckland Mayor, Len Brown and aims to help lift Pacific family incomes and living standards by increasing the number of Pasifika people starting and leading New Zealand businesses and organisations through leadership and mentoring programmes.

In partnership with the University of Auckland, the BEST Pasifika Leadership Academy will deliver the Pasifika Leadership Programme which blends post-graduate courses for business leadership and entrepreneurship interwoven within a Pasifika context.

CEO, and four-time Olympian, Beatrice Faumuinā ONZM, says this breakthrough programme will build a pipeline to increase the number of Pacific people in leadership positions within businesses.

“Auckland is the largest Pacific city in the world, and the economic contribution of Pacific people is a critical imperative because as we increasingly rely on their skills and ability as they are the fastest growing population in New Zealand,” says Faumuinā.

The scholarship fund will help sponsor emerging Pasifika leaders to undertake this unique Pasifika Leadership Programme.

“We are confident that sponsoring a Pacific leader will deliver real gains for Auckland by lifting Pasifika productivity and prosperity.”

This provides an exciting opportunity for organisations to be part of a unique leadership initiative and a chance to champion Pacific leaders. Sponsorship demonstrates support for Pacific economic and business success and a strong commitment to Pasifika in an organisation. It will also enable an organisation to further extend its networks into New Zealand's diverse Pasifika communities.

“Having the Honourable Hekia Parata is a wonderful endorsement of the importance of the BEST Leadership programme in delivering success for all of New Zealand,” says Faumuinā.

The scholarship fund launch takes place on Tuesday, 24 May at Fale Pasifika at the University of Auckland, 26 Wynyard Street at 5.45pm. (Parking available underneath the Owen Glen Business School building

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