News Item
PCF NZ Scholarship Interns 2020/2021 set to make their mark
News 13 Nov 2020
The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are pleased to endorse this year's successful NZ scholars from the Pacific who will be interning with various New Zealand organisations in the upcoming summer period
Now in its sixth year, the PCF NZ Scholarship Internship programme (formerly known as the PCF Summer Internship programme) provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in a real work place in preparation for employment in their home country as future public and/or private sector regional leaders.
During the week there were two orientation events to connect the scholars with their host agencies, the PCF Wellington team hosted the scholars based in Wellington and Christchurch and the PCF Auckland hosted the scholars based in Auckland and Hamilton.
PCF Chair Fiso John Fiso says the internship is a flagship programme of PCF as it showcases the best emerging talents from the Pacific region.
"The quality of candidates that have come through this year is impressive, it is pleasing to see that this year's group perform well academically and that there is a diverse representation of the Pacific."
"We hope that they will come away with an experience that will benefit them in terms of professional development and that they apply their new knowledge when they return to the Pacific."
Congratulations to this year's interns:
| Student | University | Programme of study | Country of origin |
| Aunoa Uele | Waikato University, Hamilton | Bachelor of Laws | Samoa |
| Augusta Castela Soares | Lincoln University, Christchurch | Bachelor of Environmental Management | Timor-Leste |
| Bryan Wasuka | Victoria University, Wellington | Bachelor of Engineering | Solomon Islands |
| Eera Timaera | Unitec | Bachelor of Construction | Kiribati |
| Fugalaau Mafi | Victoria University, Wellington | Bachelor of Laws | Tonga |
| Grace Ailua Paie | Victoria University, Wellington | Bachelor of Arts | Samoa |
| Harley Cronin | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Engineering | Samoa |
| Hella Rore | Massey University, Auckland | Bachelor of Construction | Solomon Islands |
| Laisa Dan | AUT University, Auckland | Bachelor of Business | Vanuatu |
| Lilitasi Letasi | Waikato University, Hamilton | Bachelor of Laws | Tuvalu |
| Litia Takuia | AUT University | Bachelor of Science | Kiribati |
| Luna Rossa Lomitusi-Ape | AUT University | Bachelor of Engineering Technology | Samoa |
| Marichan Fong | AUT University | Bachelor of Engineering Technology | Samoa |
| Meleteukialupe Soakai | Victoria University, Wellington | Bachelor of Engineering | Tonga |
| Sapati Fili | Unitec | Bachelor of Applied Technology | Samoa |
| Siuola Vaipuna | Victoria University, Wellington | Bachelor of Commerce | Tonga |
| Vensel Margraff | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Engineering | Samoa |
| Wendy Andrews | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Arts | Solomon Islands |
Left image: PCF Wellington team hosted the orientation luncheon for scholars based in Wellington and Christchurch. L -R: Augusta Castela (Timor-Leste), Flory Oliveira, PCF Partnerships & Special Projects Officer Laree Taula, PCF Partnerships & Special Projects Officer Safia Archer, PCF Chair Fiso John Fiso, Pasifika Engagement Adviser at Victoria University Kalo Afeaki, Maori and Pasifika Recruitment Lead at Ministry for Primary Industries Elvis Madar, Grace Paie (Samoa), Fugaalau Mafi (Tonga), Siuola Vaipuna (Tonga), International Development Scholarships Coordinator at Victoria University Ryan Stuart, Manager for Pacific Rim at NIWA Doug Ramsay, and PCF Board Member Josiah Tualamali'i
Right image: PCF Auckland team hosted the orientation evening for scholars based in Auckland and Hamilton. L - R: Lilitasi Letasi (Tuvalu), Litia Takuia (Kiribati), Aunoa Uele (Samoa), Eera Timaera (Kiribati), Sapati Fili (Samoa), Vensel Margraff (Samoa), Wendy Andrews (Solomon Islands), Hella Rore (Solomon Islands), Meleteukialupe Soakai (Tonga), Laisa Dan (Vanuatu). Bottom L - R: Marichan Fong (Samoa) and Luna Rossa Lomitusi- Ape (Samoa)