Mele Fakatali Nemaia MNZM is a community organiser and educator of Niuean descent.
Mele Nemaia | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Awards | Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Background
editNemaia was born in Niue and has several generations of Niuean ancestry.[1][2] She currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand.[3]
Career
editNemaia is an active proponent of the Niuean language and culture.[4] For over six years she has taught after-school Niuean language classes and supported the implementation of the 'Achieving Through Pasifika Language' programme in Auckland.[5] Nemaia has also worked as a senior teacher at Favona Primary School in Auckland[6][7] and co-authored several books for children in Niuean including Laga Fetoko He Matamaka[8] and Ko e Tala Mai Niu Silani.[9]
Nemaia has been chair of the Vagahau Niue Trust for over five years, an organisation that supports the teaching and use of the Niuean language.[5][10]
As an advisor on Pasifika languages, Nemaia has been a member of the Ministry of Education’s Pacific Advisory Group and sat on the Pacific Advisory Group for the Auckland Museum.[6] She has also been part of the New Zealand branch of the International Pacific Women’s Information Network. As a member of Pacific Women's Indigenous Networks (PacificWin), Nemaia has helped promoted women's rights in the Pacific, including as a lead facilitator at the PacificWin Women’s Indigenous Network International Conference in 2015.[5]
Honours and awards
editIn the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours, Nemaia was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the Niuean community.[3]
References
edit- ^ Ashley, Linda (2012). Dancing with Difference: Culturally Diverse Dances in Education. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 38. ISBN 9460919855.
- ^ "Lest we forget our Pacific soldiers". Pacific Media Centre. Pacific Media Centre. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "The Queen's 90th Birthday Honours List 2016". DPMC. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Promoters of Vagahau Niue hope to prevent language from dying". Radio New Zealand. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ a b c "The Queen's 90th Birthday Honours List 2016 Citations". DPMC. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Teu le Vā: introducing Auckland War Memorial Museum's Pacific Advisory Group". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "Rowandale's Principal - Attends the Official Launch of Niue Language Week 2017". Rowandale's Principal. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ Sione, Emeli; Vial, Keith; Nemaia, Mele (2009). Laga Fetoko He Matamaka. New Zealand Ministry of Education. ISBN 079033397X.
- ^ Nemaia, Mele; Cooper, Jenny; Sutton, Sally (2006). Ko e Tehina Haaku: Ko e Tala Mai Niu Silani. New Zealand Ministry of Education. ISBN 0790313928.
- ^ "Ko Mautolu (about us)". Vagahau Niue Trust. Retrieved 17 November 2017.