PCF was proud to welcome Manaaki Scholars from across the Asia-Pacific into the heart of the Pacific—Māngere—for a day of connection, learning, and action. For many, it was their first time venturing beyond central Auckland, and you could feel the buzz in the air as they explored the Saturday markets, met locals, and discovered the warmth of Pacific hospitality.

But the real purpose of the day was collaboration: working alongside Watercare on their public campaign to educate communities about biosolids—what happens after you flush, and how wastewater is transformed into something that can restore land. From lively conversations at the Festive Zone to a powerful visit to Puketutu Island, where biosolids are being used to regenerate the whenua, the scholars experienced firsthand how knowledge meets practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This day was more than an outing—it was a celebration of shared values, a chance to extend manaaki beyond the campus, and a reminder of how Pacific youth leadership can shine when given real-world opportunities.

Discover how the Pacific Cooperation Foundation hosted ON-Board@PCF, an inspiring onboarding event for Manaaki Scholars as they embark on their 2024-2025 summer internships. From a warm Māori welcome to engaging workshops and a dynamic panel discussion, this event connected scholars with host organisations, preparing them for success in the workplace. Learn how PCF is fostering Pacific leadership and building bridges for a brighter future.

#ManaakiScholars #PacificLeadership #Internships

The Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme has been a lifeline for both New Zealand and Pacific nations, but is it truly a model of mutual benefit? In this piece, we explore insights from the HORTNZ RSE Conference, highlighting the need for genuine reciprocity, the importance of preserving Pacific identities, and the path forward to deepening the partnership between New Zealand and the Pacific.

I know there are cookbooks galore out there, and yes, I am biased, but we should be proud of seeing our food in publications that are going global. Robert Oliver's latest publication is not just any cookbook—it's a vibrant celebration of our Pacific cuisine overflowing with colour, diversity, and health.

The Pacific Promise

This is the new narrative of the Pacific—a story of potential, promise, and power. It is not just about arriving on foreign shores; it is about thriving, leading, and shaping the very future we all share. It is about turning opportunity into outreach, knowledge into change, and inspiration into the courage to walk the paths less travelled.

For PCF, the commitment is to empower, to uplift, and to herald the Pacific as a powerhouse of ingenuity. Our scholars, our partners, and our collective future inspire us, and the world at large, to step into the dawn of a new era.

Manaaki Scholars from across the Pacific region visited PCF during their short-term training course in Politics and Public Policy at the University of Auckland, led by Dr. Jennifer Curtin. As part of our ongoing commitment to deepening relationships with our Pacific neighbours, Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) used this opportunity to build its presence around the work that it is doing in the region, knowledge exchange and capacity building.