Tagata Moana Trust

GROWING PACIFIC FUTURES IN STEAM

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)

Tagata Moana Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa. We promote, design and deliver events and programmes which strengthen the diverse cultural identities of our Pacific peoples. Enhancing the health, well-being and social outcomes for our Pacific communities.

Our events and programmes utilise Pacific arts, language and culture to drive STEAM education. To develop and improve vocational skills and opportunities for Pasifika people.

We believe that through the amplification of Pacific arts, languages and culture, Pacific peoples of all ages can thrive and find meaningful opportunities in STEAM.

Pacific peoples make up less than 5% of those employed in STEAM industries, throughout Aotearoa. However, jobs in STEAM are the fastest growing and most sustainable jobs of the future, with the highest incomes.

STEAM is in Pasifika peoples DNA, it is not a foreign concept. Pasifika ancestors built glorious Vaka that sailed by the wind and navigated by the stars across the worlds largest ocean. They created complex irrigation systems that reached the highest of mountains and constructed intricate structures from nothing but coconut fibre and wood. This kind of resilience, ingenuity and agility doesn’t just go away. Pasifika peoples are STEAM and STEAM industries need their creativity.

Tagata Moana Trust is dedicated to connecting Pacific peoples back to their past, to see the potential in their future.

Our Tagata

Nina Oberg Humphries

Executive Director / Co-founder
Nina is a proud second-generation New Zealand born Cook Islander. A multimedia Artist Nina is devoted to connecting Moana peoples to ancestral knowledge through artefact and Pacific heritage artforms.
Nina has a background in management, project design, community education, arts and Pacific heritage material.
2020 Macmillan Brown artist in residence, Trustee of SCAPE Public Arts Trust and member of DIA community grant committee. Nina is committed to a future New Zealand where Pacific peoples are valued, have equitable access to all things and are uplifted to achieve anything and everything imaginable.
Jan-Hai Iosefa

Trustee / Co-founder
Jan-Hai is of Samoan, Chinese and Tongan descent. Hailing from the villages of Lotofagā, Fasito’o-uta, Toamua and Pu’aPu’a. Jan-Hai is a passionate advocate for Pasifika disabled communities. Proud mother of Che and Wiremu, who are both on the autistic spectrum. Jan-Hai is Chair of All Star Kids; a Holiday program for children who have special needs and chronic illness in Christchurch.
With a background in sporting, psychology and tech community education, Jan-Hai is passionate about bridging the Digital Divide and making safe inclusive spaces for Pacific youth.
Honor Columbus

Trustee / Chair
Honor is a proud I-Kiribati and Kiwi woman with family roots in Beru and Onotoa. She is a mum and a professional engineer with a love of learning and teaching.
Originally a structural engineer, she has held roles in engineering consultancies, civil contracting, and local and central government. Honor is passionate about accessible and inclusive education pathways for Pacific Peoples into STEAM and currently serves as a board member for the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence.
Joseph Houghton

Trustee / Dept Chair
Joseph is a husband and father to five children and has whakapapa to the Cook Islands, Tahiti and various European countries.
He has been involved in education for over 15 years, teaching at Shirley Boys' High School and Marian College. He is passionate about Pacific Education, which has led him to undertake postgraduate study in this field. Joseph expects to finish his PhD in 2022, which is focused on empowering Pasifika voice in secondary education.
He is currently working at the Ministry of Education as a Principal Advisor and is working on various projects around Canterbury supporting secondary education and pathways for young people. Joseph also sits on the NCEA Pacific People's Panel, which supports the inclusion of Pacific knowledges in NCEA.
Riki Welsh

Trustee
Riki Welsh is Samoan Niuean born and raised in Christchurch. He worked at the University of Canterbury for 13 years where he held a number of roles including Director of Maori, Pacific, and Rainbow student services, helping to raise the achievement of some of our priority learners. Riki has a strong passion for education, young peoples participation in democracy, and seeing a sustainable Aotearoa.