The National University of Samoa collaborates with The University of Auckland in art, poetry and addressing well-being and mental health

Apia, Samoa – Wednesday, 7th September 2022. The University of Auckland and the National University Samoa authors, poets, and artists posing with the 2nd edition of the Talanoa Fogafala Across the Moana art and poetry book, at the National University of Samoa after the book launch. The collaboration was initiated by Professor Carol Mutch from Auckland University in partnership with Leua Latai (NUS), in 2019. The book launch is the 2nd edition of the Talanoa Fogafala Across the Moana art and poetry book. This year it was led by Dr Jacoba Matapo, Tim Baice, Fetaui Iosefo of The University of Auckland, and Leua Latai of NUS.

The 2nd Talanoa Fogafala across the Moana has grown in authorship from 21 authors in 2019 to 47 artists andpoets who submitted paintings, short stories, and poems for publication in this edition. Both universities extended the book launch the next day in a Writing & Illustration workshop, which was open to the community and staff at large for the 3rd edition of the Talanoa Fogafala across the Moana. The collaboration ended yesterday with the Faculty of Education Seminar Series with Dr Jacoba Matapo, Associate Dean of Pasifika Studies & Senior Lecturer in the School of Critical Studies in Education at the Faculty of Education &Social Work, at The University of Auckland. She passionately spoke on the importance of Early Childhood Education, ECE. Dr Matapo presented on the importance of early childhood and presented on the topic, “Indigenizing infant and toddler pedagogy in Aotearoa New Zealand for Samoan children under two: The pedagogical framework of Pepe Meamea in Early Childhood Education, ECE.”

The interest has grown with the 3rd Talanoa Fogafala Across the Moana already in progress targeting capacity building for NUS staff but the local community as well. The editors are for next edition include Afioga Silafau Professor Sina Va‟ai, Afioga Tavu‟i Dr Niusila Fa‟amanatu-Eteuati, Dr Masami Levi, Leua Latai from the National University of Samoa and Tim Baice, Dr Jacoba Matapo from The University of Auckland. The event was collaboration betweenthe Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts (NUS) in partnership with the University of Auckland.

The event was funded by Moana ed (NZ), the New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa, the Faculty of Arts (NUS) and Teacher Education Department of FOE (NUS). In recognizing and embracing the essence and spirit of the project the following poem by Associate Professor Susana Taua‟a perfectly summarizes the partnerships and friendships that have been built during the collaboration with The University of Auckland.

The Round Table – Susana Taua’a

Symbol of unity and fellowship, Many a times, we gather around,

To talanoa, reminisce, vent, about everything and nothing in particular To share ideas, food for thought,

Space within space To „soalaupule‟

To „musumusu a puiali‟i‟ About all things under the sun