Sa’ili Mālō - Seeking a Better Life

Stories in the Samoan language told by early settlers who came to Aotearoa to seek opportunities & a better life for their families.

Hosted by Savelina Kasaiano

White text "Sa'ili Mālō" over an image of a kava bowl with a black kava ladle inside. The background is dark brown with a circular pattern around the bowl. The tagline 'SEEKING A BETTER LIFE' is curved around the bottom of the bowl.

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All episodes:

Namulau’ulu Tala Cleverly

Episode 1
Tala left Samoa in 1950 and is now 90 years old, having resided in New Zealand for 70 years. She has been a trailblazer in the Pacific community.
Tala in her garden at Hataitai

Muāgututi’a Seve Poualae Tafililupetiamalie Aliota (Harry) Tauafiafi

Episode 2
Aliota left Samoa in 1966 to help his family in Samoa. He was ambitious & arrived with a strong work ethic which led him to running his own business, work at a bank & the Wellington City Council.
Muagututi'a Aliota HarryTauafiafi enjoying his lemon tree at home in Newlands

Vaafusuaga Tupuola Masunu Tuisila

Episode 3
Masunu Tuisila arrived in New Zealand as a youth, making the journey by air with his grandmother & sister via American Samoa & Fiji before arriving in Auckland during Christmas of 1972.
Masunu at Access Radio

Dr Ali’itasi Su’a Fuimaono Tavila

Episode 4
Dr Ali'itasi Su'a Fuimaono Tavila grew up in Samoa but was only 14 years-old when she moved to New Zealand in 1975 after winning a scholarship to attend a New Zealand school.
Dr Aliitasi at Samoa Capital Radio

Fereni Pepe Ete QSM

Episode 5
Fereni Pepe Ete QSM established the first A'oga Amata at the EFKS church in Newtown in 1985 making a huge contribution to the preschool where the Samoan language was being taught.
Fereni Ete hosting the Ina'ilau a Tinā programme at Samoa Capital Radio

Taesega Elisala-Sidler

Episode 6
Taesega never thought about leaving Samoa but in 1958 an aunty asked her to accompany her on the long sea voyage to New Zealand. Taesega didn't have the money, so she borrowed £40 to pay her fare.
Taesega I E Sidler reading her bible at home