The focus of my project is the developement & improvement of Wainuiomata Mall. I'm not sure if anyone recalls the condition of the mall about 10 or so years ago? If you dont i'll refresh ur memory... it was AWESOME.

Now?? It's a different story. It's sad the way it has turned and its sad that a lot of people opt to go 'over the hill' for everything. Never the less im determined to try and make a difference here and maybe even put in a proposal to try and bring bak business to Wainui!

Local MP Trevor Mallard is forever making excuses up for the underdevelopment of Wainiuomata. But quite frankly, i'm sick of excuses as to why things dont work in Wainui... instead of trying to cover up for it they should be trying to improve on our faults! Making up excuses is a pathetic way to react to a challenge.... and seeing as our local mps dont want to take this opportunity i think the community is goin to have to.

(See the rest of the editorial here): Leadership Discussion Forums

Leni is a Pacific Links Hutt City member from St Orans College in Hutt City. She is Samoan and has aspirations to study Health Science at either Otago or Massey next year. If you have feedback on this editorial, please use our or email Lenita personally

If you wish to submit a 500 word guest editorial to our website, please email us at: andre@tanumafili.org.nz All editorials must relate to Pacific and young people.

Check out Nesian Super 12. Prize Money is $500! On Friday 5 September, featuring FOU NATURE fresh from Auckland. Looking for participants (C'mon Stream & Wainui!!!) volunteers from PL, so far, we've got 14 volunteers to help out at Nesian Super12, and we need more, hollar back here
Click here for more info

Ivy & Daniel Vena will be speaking to PL'ers during September, on relationships. They will challenge the idea that relationships are all romantic, stress free, and easy sailing, plus sharing the secrets of their relationship success. Daniel is a former Head Boy of Parkway and has recently completed a BCom from Victoria, Ivy is undertaking a BA in Business Admin, and is a McAuley old girl. They are the youth leaders for Stokes Valley AOG church.

In May, NZ Businessman Christian Dahmen spoke to 10 PL members about personal leadership. He encouraged us to ask challenge ourselves by asking the following questions, and if you want to get to the bottom of your behaviour and character, keeping asking yourself
Why, why, why, why, why? until you come up with some answers:

*What have you done that showed your personal leadership?
*What sort of leader are you and how did you find out?
*Your mind is like a parachute, works best when it is open
*A mind stretched by a new idea, never returns to it's original shape

Dahmen, has held leadership positions at some of the world's leading corporate companies across Europe & Asia Pacific. He is also the Vice-President of the NZ Institute of Human Resources. The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Pacifc Island Affairs, special thanks to Fuimaono Les McCarthy, Lafaele Lupo, Heker Robertson & Teuila Tualaulelei

In attendance were Oka Sanerivi, Marvin Karawana, Junior Taumaoe (St Bernards); Italia Lologa, Amela Nikolao, Lisa Foaese (Sacred Heart); Rebecca Leuluai, Virgina Masaunu (Wainuiomata High), Maggie Felo (Te Wangawa), Fina Maiava (Wellington East Girls). Oka Sanerivi reflects on the presentation:

"i encourage any1 and evry1 to check these seminars out...they're really worth it...its a great opportunity to build on tha natural leadership talents that we all have..yea so if u can...check these guys out....theres nathang to lose but evrythang to gain-poootz doesnt make sense... aaaiigght!!!

PL is changing our times starting Term 3. We still meet four times a week, but we've swapped things around a bit. We've revamped our programme, it's gonna be banging and tighter than Dre's abs - pootz. Starting 11 August 2003:

Tuesday:
PL Upper Hutt: Lunch time @ SPC Stream 7th form boarders common room
PL Wellington: 4-5:30pm, new venue: Elim, 54 Tennyson St

Wednesday:
PL Wainuiomata: 8:30-9:40am @ Wainuiomata High Auditorium
PL Hutt City: 4-5:30pm, Phonic room #2

PL is excited to be involved with the Wellington Pacific People's Awards on Monday 1 Sep 2003 at the Wellington Town Hall. Organised by Lavea'i Trust and others, it is going to be Wellington's Pacific event of the year!

We are looking for 80 young people to volunteer their time on the night. You gain free admission (tickets normally cost $50) to be ushers showing guests to their seats and to man the stalls of sponsors (3 to a table) from 5pm-11pm. The environment will be electric with celebrities, Rongotai Choir, Ben Makisi, dancing & food. Check out their website

You do not have to be a PL'er, but you will be representing PL on the night, we do need you to drop a note to us on the PL board. We cannot provide travel to and from the event, so you need to ask your parents permission and arrange for your own transport. Please dont even ask your parents if you think they will say no. More details here

June 2001: Talk about blast from the past!

Going back to the origins of Pacific Links with the original crew at St Pats Stream, seen here with visiting guest Tony Fautua (Samoan), back in the '01 when we used to meet at 6 & 7pm - dang - how late was that?! Do you remember Ms Balcombe & Ms Coffey? Remember how much boring work we use to make you do? Remember Eroni's mum's lolly cake? Yumy!

When Tony came to visit, he had completed postings in Washington DC and Bouganville, today Tony continues his career as a diplomat with MFAT (Ministry of Foriegn Affairs & Trade), he and his wife Ina have accepted a new posting, starting in September in Nuie for two years followed by several more years at the United Nations in New York. Congratulations Tony, Ina & Rueben. Check out scholarships with MFAT

If you are in this photo, then hollar back and let us know what you are up to these days on the PL Alumni Board Is Tony still in Oz? Is Peni still playing for Hurricanes Development? Where's Hale, Martin, Eric, Natana & the crew. Fill us in!

Comedian James Nokise will be a Guest Speaker at PL during September 2003, after his NZ tour. He is an SBC old boy and is undertaking a BA from Victoria Uni, and is a PICPAC sole from way back!

Former PL'er Daphne Seyb (Fijian), ex-Hutt Valley High is in Italy performing at 4 different festivals. She is a 1st year student at Whitieria Performing Arts School. Congratulations Daphne. God Bless. Update us on other Alumni