Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i (born 2001 or 2002)[1] is a Samoan-New Zealander poet, indigenous, and climate change activist. She is the daughter of former Samoan MP Seminare Fepulea’i.[2]

Biography

Fepulea'i Tapua'i was born in South Auckland and educated at Aorere College.[1] In 2019 she organised Pasefika climate change group 4 Tha Kulture and participated in the 2019 climate strikes.[2][3] The story of her climate activism is documented in the film High Tide Don’t Hide.[4][5] In March 2020 she was selected to represent New Zealand at the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York City.[6]

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.[7][8] During the 2020 election campaign she was invited to participate in the leader's debate.[9][10]

Recognition

In November 2020 she was awarded the Young Leader award in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards.[11] In December 2020 she was awarded the supreme award for youth advocacy at the inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards.[1] In 2021 she was nominated for the New Zealander of the Year Awards in the "local hero" category.[12]

References

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


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