A lack of Pacific representation in the NZ legal profession is the catalyst for the inaugural Pacific Lawyers Association Conference this week, bringing together lawyers from across the country in an effort to entice more young people into the legal profession.

Moe Sa’u, Programme Director of Pacific PowerUP, receives the Electoral Commission Pacific Service Excellence Award on behalf of the Ministry of Education. Pacific PowerUP is a community-based programme that actively supports Pacific parents and families to champion their children's learning.

ProCare Top Year 5 Pacific Medical Student at the University of Auckland, Tuipoloa Opetaia Aati's inspiring speech."I want to embolden you to not be limited by anyone's opinions of you, of what you can or cannot do. You can do anything you set your mind to. Dream big, and you have what it takes to achieve great things."#SunPixAwards2019

TeachNZ – Ministry of Education Pacific Education Award Winner Tupe Tai's Speech."Don't ever let anyone say to you that your knowledge that you bring is not important, because it is. And what you bring carries with you your grandparents' stories and their dreams, your parents' struggles and successes, and your own stories, which you will tell and write and publish."Tupe Tai has supported and inspired students at Auckand's Western Springs College and beyond for over 25 years.#SunPixAwards2019

TeachNZ - Ministry of Education Pacific Education Award Winner Edmond Fehoko's speech.Edmond has contributed important research towards Tongan cultural identity and social issues in Aotearoa. After focusing his Masters on faikava (kava drinking), Edmond is now completing his PhD on the Tongan male experiences of gambling.#SunPixAwards2019

Meet The Electoral Commission Pacific Service Excellence Award Winner Pacific PowerUP (Ministry of Education). Pacific PowerUP is a community-based programme that actively supports Pacific parents and families to champion their children's learning.#SunPixAwards2019

Meet the 2019 ProCare Top Year 5 Pacific Medical Student at the University of Auckland, Tuipoloa Opetaia Aati.

Meet Ministry for Pacific Peoples Community Leadership Award Winner Hellen Puhipuhi. Hellen is an Aunty to the Whanganui community. Her vision to nurture and grow a new generation of Pacific educators and leaders has resulted in a successful Born & Raised Pasifika Early Childhood centre with bilingual units in Samoan, Fijian and Cook Islands children - which will celebrate 10 years next year.#SunPixAwards2019

Meet TeachNZ - Ministry of Education Pacific Education Award Winner Tupe Tai, who's supported and inspired students at Auckand's Western Springs College and beyond for over 25 years.