Background

As the visual scribe for the event, I had the incredible privilege of standing by my easels and foamboards this time, capturing the co-creative talanoa, challenges, and community spirit of Pacific early childhood educators.

A major highlight of the Fono was having both the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Education Review Office (ERO) front up to the community - not just to deliver policies from on high, but to listen, answer tough questions, and offer genuine support.

Scroll to 1 min 13s to view Zhi talking through the content of the sketches.

Four major themes emerged that define where Pasifika ECE stands today, and where it is heading.

1. Honouring the Legacy: "Heart Work" and Survival

At its core, Pasifika ECE isn't just a sector; it’s a cultural lifeline. As I recorded the fono, it was repeatedly emphasised that this is a mission rooted in love, ancestry, and survival.

• Honouring the Pioneers: The fono highlighted the deep need to honour the "Mamas and Papas" who built these foundations.

• Cultural Survival: There is an urgent, collective cry regarding language loss. Preserving language within ECE is viewed as a matter of cultural survival.

• Shepherding, Not Just Teaching: The role of an educator here is distinct. It requires being BRAVE, knowing who you are, and acting like a "shepherd" to the next generation.

"Quality is WHO YOU ARE. It's heart work. It's survival."

2. From Compliance to Partnership: Accountability & Systemic Change

The presence of MoE and ERO sparked crucial, candid conversations about systemic barriers. The community didn't hold back, and the government agencies showed up ready to engage.

• Moving Beyond the "Audit" Culture: A loud theme across my recording was the shift from strict, rigid compliance to meaningful partnership. The focus needs to be on education, not just boxes ticked.

• Fixing the Pipeline: Discussions tackled systemic damage, funding realities that don’t match actual needs, regulatory flexibility, and the critical need for Pay Parity Progression to keep passionate teachers in the sector.

• Navigating Together: ERO committed to becoming a space for navigation and lessons rather than just standard policing, with calls for the Ministry to be "approached with humility."

3. A Village in Action: "Put Our Voices Together"

The Fono depicted the Pacific concept of the village. True leadership in this space relies on collective action, mutual support, and cultural navigation.

• The Spirit of Mafana: The panels remind us to solve problems together in the spirit of Mafana (warmth and passion) and to utilize the tool of forgiveness to move past historic friction.

• Practical Support: From leveraging Teaching Council scholarships to establishing dedicated working groups, the emphasis was on practical, immediate actions to help each other right now.

• Active Listening: True collaboration requires government agencies and the community to practice deep, active listening to co-design better policies.

4. The 2040 Horizon: Thinking 100 Years Ahead

Perhaps the most inspiring element of the day was its forward-looking lens. The Legacy Fono wasn't just about putting out today's fires; it was about planting trees for future shade.

• Global Pasifika Leaders: Recognising the region's unique position to offer regional and global leadership in Pasifika early education.

• Leaving the Ladder Down: A poignant visual reminder to "leave the ladder down to help the next person climb up."

"It’s 2040... What is BETTER because of what we did TODAY? Our work has not been in vain."

I hope these visual notes give you a glimpse into the profound dedication of Pasifika early learning leaders. Scroll down to explore the sketches!

We were selected by PEP to be the visual facilitators for the Legacy | Pacific Early Learning Fono, held on May 23, 2026.  The organisers were after the tagibility of physical sketches to enhance the conversation.  This is why we normally work on large paper as opposed to digital mediums.  There's just a special connectedness to the audience that paper brings over digital!

Thank you to the organising team for working with us.  All the prep that went into the event, including pre-alignment calls, definitely paid off!