The Fale Malae is set to be a focal point for Pasifika culture in the heart of Wellington.
Initial investment from the University in the project to create New Zealand’s first national Pacific place of belonging has been boosted with $10 million from central government.
“It is wonderful to see us reach the next milestone in our goal of developing the Fale Malae,” says Associate Professor Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, the University’s assistant vice-chancellor (Pasifika).
“A Pacific identity is an integral part of our heritage and of our future, and we look forward to taking the next steps to make this long-held dream a reality.”
“It models the partnership between the University and our capital city and confirms New Zealand’s identity as a Pacific nation,” says Dame Winnie.
As well as hosting corporate and cultural events and strengthening the pathway to higher education, the fale has the potential to be a catalyst for encouraging the development and growth of Pacific-owned businesses.
The Fale will have an explicit Pacific cultural focus, but all will be welcome to use the space for events, meetings, and gatherings. “It will be a multipurpose venue, able to bring enough money in to cover its own expenses, and contributing to broader economic development,” says Dame Winnie.
With in-principle support from Wellington City Council, the Fale Malae Trust is now taking the next steps towards creating this hub for people of the Pacific.
“This will be an iconic building that engages the Pasifika community in Wellington, New Zealand, and the wider Pacific with the government of Aotearoa New Zealand and our nation’s globally ranked capital city university. It will be a dynamic space, encompassing diverse world views, a place where New Zealand’s role in the Pacific can be both challenged and reinvigorated,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford.
“A Pacific identity is an integral part of our heritage and of our future, and we look forward to taking the next steps to make this long-held dream a reality,” says Dame Winnie.