Asena Tolungamaka, Director at Navigators of Success | “We need more Māori and Pacific people in leadership and policy roles”
Asena Tolungamaka, Director at Navigators of Success | “We need more Māori and Pacific people in leadership and policy roles”
TupuToa alum and 2018 winner of the Prime Minister’s Leadership and Inspiration Award, Asena shares the reason for helping to lead Navigators of Success and why we need more Pacific representation in policy.
Tell us about your background and where you grew up.
I was born and raised in South Auckland, Aotearoa by Tongan parents. Despite growing up in a neighborhood where mainstream media perpetuates the stereotypes of gangs, crime and violence; I love the vibrancy of my people, community, and culture.
My family instilled in me the value of education, and I knew there was a lot I wanted to do in the world. I was lucky to receive a scholarship to attend a leading high school in New Zealand. Everyone there was generally wealthy and non-Pacific Islander, which amplified the experience of culture shock. All my differences stood out. I had to have confidence in who I was, because I couldn’t be like anyone else. I couldn’t assimilate, because I stood out in such a strong way.
Everything I thought was a negative growing up — being viewed as poor, curvaceous and Tongan — have become my strengths. I am proud to be Tongan and brown. I wouldn’t have this confidence if I didn’t go through those early childhood experiences.
After high school, I got a full scholarship to attend the University of Auckland in law and arts. I studied the inequalities faced by Indigenous people in our country, majored in Māori studies, and learned how the law can impact changes in the community. That’s when I knew I wanted to go into policy.
Today, I work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a Foreign Policy Officer with a focus in Pacific Development. I love this job, because it is in complete alignment with my passions — working for and with Pacific communities.
Asena Tolungamaka, Director at Navigators of Success | “We need more Māori and Pacific people in leadership and policy roles”
Can you share a personal highlight?
When I was awarded the Prime Minister’s Leadership and Inspiration Award in 2018, it was a beautiful moment because of what it stood for. It was a highly publicized event celebrating a brown Tongan woman from South Auckland. It was an opportunity to show people what can be achieved when you find strength in being exactly who you are. It truly was a collective win.
You are a director of Navigators of Success. What was the inspiration behind NoS?
I met one of the co-founders of Navigators, Saia Mataele, in law school. It was so uncommon for us to see other Māori and Pasifika people in internships, and it got us talking about how to empower more of our people to enter into corporate and public sector fields. There isn’t a lack of talent or intelligence in our community.
Our students have a hunger to thrive and excel, but why would Māori and Pasifika students be comfortable in a process that wasn’t created for them? That’s when we decided to create Navigators of Success, an organization that facilitates networking events with Māori and Pasifika students in mind.
Fast forward from 2017 to today, and we are happy to see more internships and opportunities available now to Māori and Pasifika students. Māori and Pasifika are no longer the exception, they are now part of the general rule.
Asena Tolungamaka, Director at Navigators of Success | “We need more Māori and Pacific people in leadership and policy roles”
What are your plans for the future?
My goal is to enter into policy and leadership roles in this country. I think it’s important to diversify the voices at the political decision-making level. Many times, policy decisions are made by people who have not experienced financial hardship. I know what it’s like to be poor and struggle. I remember the days we had to decide whether to use our money to buy food or pay the bills. I want to bring that critical perspective to the table. I want to add value to the communities that I was raised in by making sure their voices are heard and needs are addressed.
Any thoughts on Pacific representation in policy?
If our community wants to see changes with us in mind, there should be more Pacific representation across the board, not only in activist roles, but in policy roles.
I see many community advocates making the most of their voice on social media and through protests. Protesting is one part, but policy, reform, and legislation are equally as important. We need more Māori and Pacific people in leadership and policy roles.
Just because we protest for change doesn’t mean it’s going to end up being part of legislation. It’s a whole other arena. I 100% encourage our community to channel their passions and talents into policy roles.
Any advice for young Pasifika scholars pursuing higher education?
1. It is not as long as you think. Put as much as you can in those years of higher education. Even though it feels like a long time, it really isn’t. Those couple of years you focus on studying help you go so far.
2. Don’t quit no matter how hard it is, because the other side of it is so worth your while. My dad had kidney failure when I was in college, and I had my mom and niece living with me. I definitely went through some hard periods, and I was so close giving up, but I’m grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me thanks to higher education.
3. Take the time to enjoy life. Get involved with extracurriculars and various initiatives. Explore who you are and don’t forget to have fun.
4. Be good to your parents and people who look after you. Sometimes we are so hard on them. There are a lot of things they are protecting us from. Be kind to them.