Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i Explained

Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i is a Samoan-New Zealander poet, indigenous, and climate change activist. She is the daughter of former Samoan MP Seminare Fepulea’i.[1]

Biography

Fepulea'i Tapua'i was born in South Auckland and educated at Aorere College. In 2019 she organised Pasefika climate change group 4 Tha Kulture and participated in the 2019 climate strikes.[1] [2] The story of her climate activism is documented in the film High Tide Don’t Hide.[3] [4] In March 2020 she was selected to represent New Zealand at the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York City.[5]

During the COVID-19 pandemic she spoke out about racial inequality in education and how the pandemic had forced Pasefika students to leave school to support their families.[6] [7] During the 2020 election campaign she was invited to participate in the leader's debate.[8] [9]

Recognition

In November 2020 she was awarded the Young Leader award in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards.[10] In December 2020 she was awarded the supreme award for youth advocacy at the inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards.[11] In 2021 she was nominated for the New Zealander of the Year Awards in the "local hero" category.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Angry, eloquent and 17, Fili has something to say to you . The Spinoff . Michelle Langstone . 12 September 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Pasifika bring unique perspective to Auckland climate change protest . Irra Lee . TVNZ . 27 September 2019 . 11 August 2021.
  3. Web site: Pasifika voice takes focus in climate doco . Olivia Wannan . Stuff . 16 June 2021 . 11 August 2021.
  4. Web site: How Fili Fepulea'i Tapua'i's fight for climate action became a battle against racism . The Spinoff . Justin Latif . 11 August 2021 . 11 August 2021.
  5. Web site: South Auckland teen to represent NZ on international stage . TP+ . 10 March 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  6. Web site: South Auckland cry: 'NZ wants to rebuild, but it's on our backs' . New Zealand Herald . 19 May 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  7. Web site: Too many students forced to leave school as 'act of sacrifice and love' for families - head girl . TVNZ . 26 August 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  8. News: Judith Collins blasted for 'weaponising' husband's ethnicity during leaders debate . NewsHub . 23 September 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  9. Web site: Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i: Speaking up for South Auckland students . RNZ . 3 October 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  10. Web site: 17 November 2021. Dr Siouxsie Wiles supreme winner at Stuff-Westpac 2020 Women of Influence Awards. 11 August 2021. Stuff. en.
  11. Web site: Inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation awards ceremony focuses on Pasifika youth leaders . RNZ . 10 December 2020 . 11 August 2021.
  12. Web site: 2021 NEW ZEALAND LOCAL HERO OF THE YEAR SEMI-FINALISTS . New Zealander of the Year Awards . 14 January 2021 . 11 August 2021.

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