Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
7 February 2014Media Statement
From garage to Partnership School academy
An approach to teaching Pacific children which started in a Mangere garage culminates today in the opening of Auckland’s
second partnership school.
The Rise Up Trust is a not-for-profit community organisation which provides education services for Pacific and Maori
whanau. It currently provides after-school mentoring to South Auckland families.
It grew from a home school started in her garage by ’Auntie‘ Sita Selupe, a teacher on parental leave from Mangere
primary school in 2006, using examples from the children’s own lives as the basis for teaching.
Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, spoke at the opening ceremony and commended all those involved in
getting Rise Up to where it is today and looks forward to its students’ success.
“This Government is committed to raising educational achievement amongst Pacific students at all levels. Improved
achievement at school will carry these young people into further education, better jobs and ultimately better lives”
says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
“We have already started seeing improved results in Pacific achievement in all areas but we are relentless in our
pursuit to see all Pacific children succeeding in their educational achievement. Partnership Schools allow our Pacific
parents a greater choice in education that better suits their children’s needs.”
The school’s programmes have been designed by teachers who have grown up and worked in South Auckland schools for many
years.
The programmes are tailored to the students, their families and the wider Mangere East community where 64% of the
population is Pacific.
The academy will follow the New Zealand curriculum and employ registered teachers.
“I congratulate Rise Up Trust for their commitment to raise achievement for all our Pacific children. I look forward to
our communities supporting them as we all work to see our children succeed in all things,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
ENDS