Humans of the Islands - Lafoai Luaitalo

Lafoai Luaitalo 

Community Work Leader & LLB/BA student

Samoan/Chinese 

My name is Lafoai Lian Luaitalo of Samoan-Chinese heritage. I’m from Uafato, Fagaloa, in Samoa, the very last village on the road however accompanied by the beautiful Fagaloa Bay. I grew up in Samoa with my grandparents and older sister and moved to NZ to be with my Mum when I was 4. I recently travelled back to Samoa with a bunch of my friends and family and it was an eye-opening experience learning about my heritage and culture. 

I am a fourth year LLB/BA student at the University of Auckland. I am a Tuakana Mentor (for Maori and PI students) for Sociology at the University and also undertake volunteer youth ‘work’ in Randwick Park where I reside with my flatmates. I moved out to Randwick Park in 2015 where I am a part of an amazing group of leaders (Warriors of Change) who volunteer their time and resources to journeying with and providing spaces for their children and youth to exist in at Randwick Park. 

You're currently studying Law - how/why did you choose Law?

I knew I wanted to study law when I was in my final years at high school (One Tree Hill College). I had always aspired to serve people in need, those facing extreme hardship. This is evident in a speech I did and won in Year 7 where I envisaged what it was like to work for World Vision by helping children in need. And so there was a floating desire to study law. But what really gave me that extra inspiration to study law was my mentor Denise Wallwork who is a criminal barrister.

Having a mentor who studied and works in the law exposed me to what it would be like to do the same and I knew then (in Year 13) that studying Law was what I wanted to do. The First Foundation Scholarship programme (2012-2017) was also key to keeping me on track with my studies. So there have been many influential, motivational and encouraging people in my life.

I am now into my 4th year at Law school and enjoying the study of Land Law which may be of no personal practical use if the house prices keep increasing! However, before I continue with my story I have a DISCLAIMER- that I am no nerd like Mike Ross on Suits. But I do work hard, manage my time well and do the best that I can. I have never regretted my decision to study Law and Sociology because on the bigger scheme of things, I know that I can empower and create change with the knowledge, skills and experience I gain from this career.

You went into foster care during high school - can you tell us more about that experience? 

Foster care wasn’t the easiest; in fact it was the hardest phase of my journey. The most powerful part of that journey was the support and love I had from the different women in my life. These women had so much love, care and respect for me, and they continue to mentor and encourage me today. What helped me to get through the hardship were my studies. Studying was my drug.

I remember locking myself in my room for many hours to study, to get my assessments done. I still do the same today. Study helped me to take my mind of things and the opportunities that came out of all the hard work I poured into my studies kept me focussed on my goals. So although a tough journey, I found it a blessing- I met so many influential and special people along the way.

I made a big decision in 2016, to become a registered respite foster caregiver under an NGO. I initially did it to help take care of some of my younger friends in care however I’ve had the blessing of looking after some other children over the past two years. I wish I could help all the children in the foster care system and it saddens me when they leave your short-term care as you never know whether you’ll ever see them again. Being in care and becoming a ‘carer’ has helped me to realise that there is a lack of resources to support the foster care system. These children deserve better and we should all out of kindness be contributing in some way.

How has your upbringing + culture shaped you into the woman you are today?

Growing up with my grandad Luaitalo, a respected chief in my village was such an important part in my development as a child. He instilled basic values such as love and respect through the fa’a Samoa, he made sure that I attended kindergarten every day in the islands and he encouraged me to study and work hard-advice I have adopted in life.

I moved to NZ when I was 4 and I grew up in a very traditional family, where you only spoke Samoan at home. Nothing was about the individual, all decisions and events occurred within a collective network. We attended church every Sunday, gave the utmost respect to our elders and attended all family and cultural events.

This is why being in foster care with a ‘Palagi’ family shocked me as it was a way of life so foreign to me- don’t get me wrong, they were a great family! Culture quickly became something of little value to me through high school and the early years of University as I struggled to see how it was of relevance to getting through that tough time. But those important values which my grandad instilled in me were still present in the way I conducted myself. 

I love that I can be/am a positive role model to Pasifika girls/women, especially to my sisters and the youth in my community. My hope is that others can use education like I have to be a powerful tool to pursue their dreams and make changes in society.

My upbringing and life experiences have made me a more resilient and stronger person. There’s been so much individual growth and experience in my 21 years and I am who I am today because of that. I guess I’m a realist in the sense that tragedy, obstacles and crap happens in life but the bright side is that there are people who will always be there to support you, plus the many amazing things to still celebrate in life. I guess when things get tough, it’s important to do things which bring you clarity and peace which for me was studying, gardening or running.

 Who are your biggest inspirations and why?

My biggest inspirations are people who have been positive role models and have each shown me their understanding of success. They work hard and do the best they can to serve those around them. These people have shown me so much love, respect and given me the time of day to express my weirdness.

There is nothing I can ever do to repay them, but to my biggest inspirations-Grandad Luaitalo, Mentor Denise Wallwork and Selwyn, Tanya Newman, Lyall Cristie, Whaea Meriana, the ‘Tims’, Brown’s and my WOC crew- THANK YOU. These people have exemplified the ‘love thy neighbour’ principle at its best.

What are your goals for the future? 

My career goals involve working in the International Human Rights Law jurisdiction. I feel a deep need and am drawn to human rights issues. It saddens me every day when I hear in the media of events occurring around the world where tens or hundreds of people are being deprived of the right to life or being subjected to inhumane forms of abuses.

We, humans, are better than this. There are many people out there who like me feel the need and are drawn to those affected by serious human rights abuse issues around the world. Long-term, I aspire to work for the United Nations at a policy level but short-term, my goals include getting the necessary qualifications to practice law and to take up different work experiences in the law.