Partner Spotlight - Tātai Aho Rau's Tutuila Lio Va'auli

This week's Spotlight is on Tutuila Lio Va'auli from Tātai Aho Rau CORE Education

We caught up with Tutuila and asked 5 questions to find out more about him as an individual.

‍Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I am a New Zealand born Samoan from a family of six, 4 boys and 2 girls. I have lived most of my life in Auckland but spent a few years teaching in Samoa. I am married to Alitisami Va'auli who is of Samoan descent and together we have 3 children, 2 girls and a boy.

I am a practicing Catholic and my faith in God plays a big part in my life. I am a Samoan Matai and have 2 titles bestowed to me from my mother's village of Fasito'otai in Samoa. They are both talking chief matai- Tutuila and Lefeau. I was a teacher for 26 years, mainly in the Secondary School sector.

How did you get into the area of work you’re in?

A teacher at school said to me that I would be a good teacher, and believed in me.

What motivates you to do what you do?

My family, belief in God/faith, and my culture.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Give thanks to God for all the success you have achieved. Respect your elders at all times and those older than you. Always put others before yourself.

Knowing what you know now, what is one thing you would do differently if you were to start again?

I would have worked harder at school, bought a house earlier in my marriage, taught overseas in the Middle East and played rugby overseas before retiring.