ABOUT
APEN
CONF
2025
The conference is a space to:
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Share culturally grounded and community-led practices
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Highlight Pasifika-led research and leadership
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Strengthen our collective voice through connection and solidarity
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Uplift the next generation of Pacific leaders.
The Australian Pasifika Educators Network (APEN) invites you to our biennial national conference, bringing together educators, students, researchers, and community leaders working to improve educational outcomes for Pasifika learners in Australia.
Building on the success of our 2023 gathering, the 2025 conference is grounded in the theme - Navigating Currents: Pasifika Strength in Changing Times. This theme recognises the resilience, innovation, and adaptability Pasifika communities continue to embody across shifting educational and social landscapes.
OUR
SPEAKERS
Esita Sogotubu
Dr Agapetos Aia-Fa’aleava
Cathleen Hafu-Fetokai
Desiree Guttenbeil
Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson
Misi Matauaina
Robati Harrison
Ronaldo Tago
Kiana Hansford
SCHEDULE
7:30
Registration Open & Talanoa Networking
Welcome tea/coffee and light refreshments
Delegate networking and talanoa.
8:30
Official Opening
Welcome to Country - Uncle Ted Williams
Ava Ceremony - Le Fale Aganu'u
Welcome to Griffith University - Prof. Andrew Harvey, Director Pathways In Place
Welcome from APEN - Bronwyn Williams, APEN Founding Director
9:35
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS PANEL
Reading the tides together: Learners, families and future leaders.
The panel explores intergenerational and culturally rooted approaches to education, highlighting Indigenous knowledge systems, shared leadership, and community-led learning as pathways to empower learners and improve educational outcomes for Pacific communities.
Chair: Tofa Amanda Moors-Mailei
Panellists: Associate Professor Eseta Tualaulelei, Dr Patrick Thomsen and Dr Levi Fox
10:15
BREAK - STRETCH - MORNING TEA
10:35
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION SESSION 1
Community-led Co-design (Part A)
Debra Thompson, Robati Harrison. PACIFIKAI, Children’s Health Queensland
Exploring the Significance of Publishing Books as Pasifika Educators – Navigating the Anxieties, Challenges and Opportunities: The Lived Places Publishing Pacific Islander Studies Collection
Dr Patrick Thomsen, University of Auckland
Au Waka Nua: Navigating Self & Belonging
Elijah Lemusu, Alisi Fischer. Australian Museum – Pasifika Team
Learning from Missteps - Building Ethical Integrity in Pacific Research
Australian Pasifika Educators Network: Pani Patu - Univeristy of Sydney, Leilani Fatupaito - Swinburne University.
Māori and Pasifika Students: Perspectives on University
Rebecca Wren, Dr Lucy Campion, Dr Vaoiva Natapu-Ponton, Professor Andrew Harvey.
Pathways in Place, Griffith University
Phenomenal Educators Framework
Pale Sauni, Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg, Ako Aotearoa
11:20
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION SESSION 2
Reirei – A Child’s Way (Part B)
Debra Thompson, Robati Harrison. PACIFIKAI, Children’s Health Queensland
Navigating Changing Times through Poetry
Dr June Perkins. Gumbootspearlz
Reweaving the Mat: Embedding Pacific knowledges into Evaluation Practice in Australian Higher Education
Amanda Moors-Mailei - University of Technology Sydney, Bronwyn Williams - Western Sydney University, Vaoiva Natapu-Ponton - Griffith University.
Tutalanoa: Indigenous Pasifika Grounded Methodologies for Knowledge Sharing.
Dr Wani Erick, Moui Olaola/ North Queensland Pasifika Children's Ground, Amelia Battes Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited.
From the Village to the Cloud: Building a Sovereign Platform for Pacific Stories
Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson, Pacific Kids' Learning.
12:05
BREAK - STRETCH - LUNCH
The Indigenous HDR Internship Program (Video Presentation)
Dr Innez Haua, Macquarie University
12:55
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS PANEL
Navigating leadership pathways - Pasifika voices in higher education and beyond.
This panel shares the journeys of Pasifika leaders as they navigate institutions, balance cultural integrity with professional demands, and create pathways for the next generation.
Chair Tuilelepa Paniani Patu
Panellists: Dr Agapetos Aia-Fa’aleava, Cathleen Hafu-Fetokai and, Esita Sogotubu.
1:30
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION SESSION 3
Navigating Currents with Toi Aroha: A Pedagogy of Empathetic Artistry
Tiaho Selwyn-Jordan
Negotiating the SET Plan in Southeast Queensland: Pasifika students’ experiences
Tami Hammond, University of Southern Queensland
Malaga - Past, Present, Future
James Petaia, The Busy School
Pacific Bilingual and Immersion Education (PBIE) in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr Vaka-Vivili, Ministry of Education, New Zealand
Pacific Island Student Association (University of Melbourne) Our story.
Kylie Hatch, Antonina M. Lee Vegar & Gerard Tuii Anapu. University of Melbourne.
From Village to Vision: Empowering Pasifika Students in Higher Education at Western Sydney University.
Jane Sio, Aleisha Kamsoo Western Sydney University
2:15
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION SESSION 4
The Real Nursing Problem: From the Classroom to the Workforce
Krysta Davis, Griffith University
One Tatau, Two Worlds: Our Motifs. Our Stories. Our Tatau
Dr Agapetos Aia-Fa'aleava, University of Sunshine Coast
Pacific Vibe Performing Arts
James 'Chief' Grace, Pimpama State Secondary College
From Grassroots to Greatness: Reframing Wellbeing Across the Sporting Pathway.
Shane Senituli, Carlos Matautia. Maximize Performance
A strengths-based mapping of the student experience among Pasifika higher education students
Beni Cakitaki, University of Melbourne
He HAKApapa, He Tikanga: Endowed by HAKApapa, led by Tikanga
Andre Ahipene, Gaylene Ahipene. AUAHA - Māori Cultural Performance & Advisory and Kia Ora - Weaving Fulfilment Ltd.
SESSION ABSTRACTS + SPEAKER BIO
3:00
BREAK - STRETCH - AFTERNOON TEA
3:20
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS PANEL
Shifting the current: Pasifika blueprints for education.
This panel examines the urgent changes needed within education systems and showcases strategic, culturally grounded innovations already being led by Pasifika communities.
Chair: Dr Ruth (Lute) Faleolo
Panellists: Desiree Guttenbeil, Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson, Misi Matauaina, Robati Harrison, Ronaldo Tago, Kiana Hansford
4:10
CLOSING REMARKS & REFLECTIONS
Tofa Amanda Moors-Mailei, Founding Director
Group photo
Conference end.
6:00
SPONSORS + PARTNERS
Need more information?
If you have questions about APENCONF25, visit our FAQ page for quick answers.
If you need support with registration, accessibility, group bookings, or program details, you can contact us directly.
Email: info@pasifikaeducators.com.au
Website: www.pasifikaeducators.com.au