Jaistone Finau is of Samoan, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and I-Kiribati descent, born in Porirua and raised in Cannons Creek.  He is the first in all of his extended family to go to university.

This morning we talk to Jaistone about his academic journey, community work and campaign to get into the Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Council.

------------ Jaistone campaign statement

Kia Orana, Talofa lava, Ni sa bula Vinaka, Kia ora koutou, and Warm Pacific greetings

I am Jaistone Finau

I am Samoan, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and I-Kiribati and was born in Porirua and raised in Cannons Creek. I am the first in all of my extended family to come to university.

Advocating for students has been a huge part of my life for the last 3 years serving in different roles on Vic Uni’s local Pacific students' association – Pasifika Students Council as well as the National Pacific Students Association – Tauira Pasifika. In that time, I have been blessed to work alongside Māori, Disabled, International, local, and National student associations. I have also been a part of groups that advocate for Māori and Pacific youth issues in Porirua as well as an active member of the Porirua Living wage network.

The values that I will bring to governance are underpinned by the Inati system:

Inati

This is an indigenous practice where people in the atolls of Tokelau would come together after food and resources had been gathered to distribute fairly amongst their people. From the gathering of resources to distribution there are values that are embedded throughout this system.

Whanaungatanga

The ability to build links, connections, and relationships between people is something I believe is important in everything we do. Through empowering student communities and the relationships between our different communities, we can come together cohesively to address our issues.

Te Karinerine

The mutual respect we show from student to student is important but also the respect we show for staff, For our communities, for our campus, and the environment. This is a value that will bring a unique Pacific lens to our university's approaches to Sustainability, Equity, and Student concerns.

Tautua

At the core of everything I do I am driven by serving my people and the collective vision of our communities. Service takes on many forms and the way in which I serve is built on the belief that when I serve, I am always accountable to someone. It is my responsibility in this role that when I serve I do so whilst making sure I regularly partner with student communities.

For the almost 125 years that Vic Uni has been operating there has NEVER been a Pacific voice whether staff, student or appointee on university council. This is our chance to change that. With my experience as a Pacific student I will bring the lived experiences of underserved student communities to uni council.

If you want to find out more about how my values will influence change on uni council for our students click GOING to keep updated.

Fakafetai lasi

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