Last Friday, our school community gathered at the Jennifer Tapu, Mala'e Pasefika, to celebrate, reminisce, and honour a true pillar of Aorere College. After 23 years of dedicated service, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Mrs Jennie Tapu, who was surrounded by her beloved ʻāiga—her husband Tauanu'u, her children, grandchildren and extended family. 

A Legacy of Foundation and Leadership 

 Jennie joined Aorere College in 2004 from McAuley High School, hired by our then-principal, the late Mr Mike Williams. As one of the original pioneers of Samoan language education in New Zealand, she championed gagana Samoa and culture at every level: 

•  She was instrumental in integrating the Samoan language into the curriculum and supported students to achieve Subject Scholarships for three consecutive years. 
•  She led our Samoan group at ASB Polyfest, prepared students for participation in speech competitions, and led Samoan Language Weeks. 
•  As the "mother of Pasifika languages" at Aorere, her vision laid the groundwork for our Pasifika spaces—culminating in the opening of the Jennifer Tapu, Mala'e Pasefika Centre in 2024, which now also supports bilingual pathway programs in Tongan and Cook Islands Māori.

A Night of Celebration, Speeches, and Siva 

The evening opened with a warm welcome from Mrs Marie Su'a, setting the stage for a joyful celebration filled with honour and gratitude. 

• Our senior Samoan boys kicked off the tributes with an enthusiastic fa'ataupati 
• Tumuaki, Mrs Webb opened her address lightheartedly with a "How well do you know Jennie?" quiz before honouring Jennie as a true matriarch of Aorere College, expressing immense gratitude for her selfless dedication to our students and staff. 
• Ms Torina Samuelu shared heartfelt appreciation for Mrs Tapu's motherly love and mentorship over her three and a half years at Aorere, thanking her for modelling resilience and perseverance. 
• Mr Soakai Malamala reflected on his journey with Mrs Tapu—from being her student 12–13 years ago to returning as a beginning teacher under her guidance. He shared her powerful words that still guide him: "Don't lose the language; keep the faith." 
• Mrs Marie Su'a spoke of the deep, serendipitous connections stretching back to Samoa and ʻāiga, highlighting how special it was to share two decades of history alongside an "OG" of Samoan language education.  Marie made a presentation to Jennie on behalf of the school. 
• Our senior Samoan girls performed a beautiful, graceful siva for Mrs Tapu, 
•  Additional speakers shared memories, thanks and gratitude —including fond laughs over those legendary all-staff emails! 
• Through tears of genuine love and gratitude, our senior Samoan students offered their heartfelt thanks and honoured Mrs Tapu with a taualuga.

Gifts of Gratitude and Looking Ahead 

Taking the stage to address the room, Mrs Tapu spoke with deep alofa for her students, reflecting on her early determination to successfully establish Samoan language at Aorere when none existed. 

In a moving gesture of generosity, Mrs Tapu, alongside her husband Tauanu'u and their ʻāiga, presented the school with a scholarship, fine mats, and a siapo While she officially steps down, her legacy remains firm. 

As Ms Samuelu and Mrs So'oula pick up the to'oto'o that Mrs Tapu worked 23 years to build, we know her wisdom will continue to guide us.

Closing the Night 

Mr Ulufia Fetu brought the formal proceedings to a close with a prayer and hymn. To wrap up an unforgettable evening, everyone joined together in celebration with a delicious feast.

Fa'afetai tele lava, Mrs Tapu! Thank you for 23 years of unwavering passion, mentorship, and service. You have shaped generations of Pasifika youth, and your legacy at Aorere College will live on forever. Fa'amanuia le Atua i lou fa'amaitega!