Matariki Reflecting, Reconnecting & Rising Together .
Yesterday, we kicked off the season of new beginnings the best way we know how…with good food, great company, and powerful kōrero. Our Matariki Connect & Celebrate Breakfast brought together a beautiful mix of 25 wāhine toa from across our Auckland Pasifika network for a morning that felt like home, hosted at Urban Soul Café in Manukau.
The event was led by our first ever AUT Sport & Recreation Intern, Yannicka Tinirau who facilitated the delivery.
What made this morning so special?
Aside from the kai (which was next level), the vibes were real. Sisters who hadn’t seen each other in a while reconnected, new faces were welcomed into the fold, and powerful conversations reminded us why this kaupapa matters so much.
We laughed, we shared, we affirmed one another because in a world that can often feel fast and isolating, it’s moments like these that ground us in who we are and where we’re going. #RootedInCulture
We began the morning inspired by a few speakers including….
A milestone moment – pre-launch of our highlights report
One of the biggest highlights of the morning? We gave our sisters in sport an exclusive first look at our soon-to-be-public report:
To Lead is To Serve: Voices of Pacific Women in Sport Leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand, created in partnership with Sport NZ.
This report isn’t just pages and stats, it’s a celebration of the journeys, the wins, and the powerful voices of Pacific wāhine who are paving the way in sport leadership. It was emotional, affirming, and inspiring to share this moment with the very people who helped shape it.
Why Matariki?
Matariki invites us to pause, to remember those who’ve come before us, to acknowledge the present, and to plant seeds for the future. For us, that meant taking stock of how far Pasifika Sisters in Sport has come… and getting excited for what’s next.
This breakfast was a reminder that leadership doesn’t always look like standing at the front sometimes it looks like showing up for one another, listening deeply, and holding space for connection.
Final thoughts
To everyone who made the morning what it was, thank you! For your presence, your stories, your laughter, and your mana.
This is just the beginning of a new season for Pasifika Sisters in Sport, and we’re so glad to be on this journey together.
Looking ahead Pasifika Sisters in Sport will be reflecting and resetting from July to August.
Let’s keep rising, together. #RisingInLeadership
