Twinning and winning

This December, twin sisters Elizabeth and Stella Mulinu’u are celebrating a shared milestone as they graduate from Te Herenga Waka.

Elizabeth and Stella smile and pose together in blue Pacifica styled dresses
Elizabeth and Stella together at the Pasifika Graduation Celebration. Image services.

Moving from Samoa with little idea of what to expect, the pair now look back on their journey with pride and a list of achievements.

Since completing their Bachelor of Commerce degrees in July, Stella and Elizabeth have each embarked on their chosen career paths, both securing graduate roles in Wellington.

Stella, who majored in economics and international business, is currently interning at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

“My first corporate experience was last summer during an internship with Accenture, which was really eye opening,” says Stella. “The team I was placed in worked in the overseas space, which paired well with my studies in international business. It was amazing.”

During her studies, Stella earned the Pasifika Award for achieving the highest GPA among all Pacific students and is now considering further study to pursue her dream roles. However, she has her sights set on eventually returning to Samoa.

“Both of my internships have been great experiences, showing me how the public and private sectors work. I’ve really enjoyed the corporate world here in Aotearoa, and I’d like to gain more experience before moving back to Samoa to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained.”

The sister's credit TupuToa, a programme offering professional opportunities for Māori and Pacific tertiary students, for enabling their success. Through TupuToa, Elizabeth was also able to complete internships with Deloitte and the infrastructure investment firm Morrison & Co, leading to her current full time graduate role.

“Starting at Deloitte was a huge opportunity for me. It opened doors and allowed me to move on to Morrison. My goal is to continue pursuing my chartered accountancy and eventually return home to Samoa, but for now, I’m focused on exploring and learning.”

Their family couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. “TupuToa has been a blessing. It’s helped so many students like us from the islands break into corporate spaces. It’s made a big difference in our lives.”

The sisters’ journey wasn’t without its challenges, particularly the culture shock of moving to a new country.

“We definitely felt culture shock when we first stepped onto campus. The education system and classes were completely different from Samoa,” Elizabeth recalls.

“What really helped was the support from the Pacific community at the University. The Pacific Success team hosted their own orientation for us, which made us feel welcomed and like we had a support system here in Aotearoa.

“We were also fortunate enough to live in Pasifika housing, which really shaped our experience.”

One of their most memorable experiences was taking a first-year Pacific Studies paper, which unexpectedly deepened their connection to their roots.

“We thought we knew a lot about the Pacific and our heritage, but we quickly realised we didn’t,” says Elizabeth. “We entered that course like empty vessels and learned so much. The practical focus: acting, poetry, and immersing ourselves in the culture, was great.”

Stella notes the joy of engaging in university life, including serving as a student ambassador and being involved in orientation week, as a highlight of her time.

“Being part of orientation week and meeting future students and alumni was such a wholesome experience. Getting to do core papers with my sister in our first year was also great. It was nice having her support as we transitioned into studying in Aotearoa.”

As they prepare to walk across the graduation stage, Stella reflects on the motivation that has driven her success.

“For me, and for others, I say: don’t let the sacrifice of your parents go to waste. Make the most of all the opportunities that come your way and keep your faith.

“I believe that what really makes our journey rewarding was the prayers and support of our parents and families both in Samoa and here in Aotearoa. Their encouragement has been the foundation that helped us overcome challenges and celebrate our triumphs.”

Elizabeth echoes this sentiment, encouraging others to embrace change and the challenges that come with it.

“It’s normal to feel uncertain at times. Even when we were on our way to New Zealand, we weren’t sure what to expect. But we challenged ourselves and completed our degrees, which is so rewarding.”


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