Media Release
January 22 2013
It’s Geni – US. Māori and Pasifika Hui Fono 2013
Jacob Luamanuvae-Su'a, spent much of his time at school scribbling in the back of books. The journey which led him to
the animation suite at Weta Digital to work on movie block busters like The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret Life of the
Unicorn, was not the most conventional but it mirrors the experience of many highly creative and talented Māori and
Pasifika in Aotearoa.
Samoan born Luamanuvae-Su'a shared his story at last year’s ACE Aotearoa Māori and Pasifika Hui Fono and will be in
Dunedin for this year’s Hui Fono which runs from February 27-March 1, 2013.
With its theme Geni – US the Hui Fono will explore giftedness and how educators can tap into the unique talents inherent
in everyone to enhance their learning experience.
Now in its sixth year, the Hui Fono is a professional development opportunity for Māori and Pasifika working in the
Adult and Community Education (ACE) Sector. Venues are
Araiteuru Marae and the Otago Museum.
A wide range of speakers and workshops will be offered over two days. They include indigenous and historical
cartographer, Hauiti Hakopa (Ngati Tuwharetoa) who specializes in assisting iwi to map their oral traditions and
histories, and writer and digital entrepreneur Potaua Biasiny-Tuie (Tuhoe, Ngati Pikiao, Nue).
ACE Aotearoa Professional Development and Networks Manager, Analiese Robertson, says the theme, Geni - US provides
opportunities to explore the “many intelligences” that learners possess and in particular the unique intelligence and
creativity which Māori and Pasifika exude. “Educators have an important role in helping learners to identify their
special gifts, their Geni – Us, which once discovered can take them to giddy heights all over the world as our guest
speakers will demonstrate.”
ENDS