First-year student Tia Pavihi is following a family tradition by coming to Otago to complete a Bachelor of Teaching.
While many students can’t wait to leave school behind, Otago tauira Tia Pavihi can’t wait to get back.
Growing up with a teacher for a mother, Tia’s spent more than her fair share of time at school, whether it was hanging around after her own classes ended or helping out with sports teams and productions at weekends.
It clearly didn’t put her off though, as she’s now in her first year of a Bachelor of Teaching, Primary, and hopes to return to the classroom to teach Years 5 to 8 when she graduates.
“My mother has been teaching for 28 years and she’s had a major impact on my life,” Tia says.
“Also, in Year 13, I was head prefect of Queen Margaret College in Wellington. Through this I was able to connect more with other year groups, which really set in stone my passion for teaching and my passion for people. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Coming to Otago to study teaching is a bit of a family tradition. Tia’s mother, nana and aunt all attended the Otago College of Education and were able to recommend it firsthand. As well as this, both her parents were born and grew up in Dunedin and many of her relatives still live here, which makes Dunedin feels close to home, she says.
Performing at the Moana Nui Festival in March was a highlight for Tia, right. Performing alongside her cousin Shiah Taele and nana Naioka Pavihi, pictured, made it extra special, she says.
“It also means a lot to me that my grandparents both live here. I’m now able to learn more of my Samoan and Niuean heritage from them.”
Tia’s Samoan villages include Fasitootai, Leauva’a and Toamua and her Niuean village is Avatele.
Last year she was awarded one of Otago’s Pacific People’s Scholarships for the passion and commitment she’s shown to her cultural activities and groups.
“I’ve been involved in Poly groups and Pasifika leadership groups since I was in primary school and in my final two years of college, I was the cultural captain of Te Whānau o Kuīni Makareta, our school’s cultural performance group,” she says.
The scholarship has been a big help in transitioning to university life both financially and because of what it represents, she says.
“Being awarded a Pacific People’s Scholarship was, and still is, an extremely proud achievement. It’s not only supported me in my studies but also connects my success and journey to my Samoan and Niuean heritage. Through everything I do at University, I have my culture at the back of my mind.
“Most importantly, I hope that it inspires other Pacific kids to go to university and pursue their dreams.”
Tia’s other big passion is sport, which has kept her – and her parents – just a bit busy over the years.
“Growing up I experimented with many different sports. I’ve been involved in rippa rugby, touch rugby, rugby, netball, cricket, softball, volleyball and basketball. And my two brothers did athletics, rugby, basketball and netball.
“My parents and I would make colour-coded calendars to cater for all of the kids so we could see the plans for the week.”
For Tia, sport is a way to support her hauora (wellbeing) and has also provided her with a range of new opportunities.
“Through sport I’ve been able to travel parts of the world that I probably wouldn’t have ever visited. In 2023 I was in the Junior Tall Ferns basketball team where we competed at the Oceania Cup in Papua New Guinea, and I’ve also visited Australia and Malaysia.”
Tia Pavihi’s Junior Tall Ferns basketball coach Josh Thompson presents her with her singlet in Papua New Guinea last year ahead of the Oceania Cup.
Tia was named College Sport Wellington All Rounder of the Year in 2022 and 2023 and won the Hutt Valley Sports Awards Young Athlete of the Year in 2023. She was also named Basketball Player of the Year at the College Sport Wellington Awards in 2023.
She now plays club basketball for South Pac and is part of the U20 Otago representative basketball team. She’s also in the Dunedin U18 representative team for netball, and recently played touch rugby for the U18 Manawatu team.
“I’ve met some of my best friends through sport and I believe I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given to thrive.”
– Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser Laura Hewson
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