A new home for Albany fale

The fale in Albany has officially moved to a new home in the Student Central Building earlier this semester. The fale is a communal space on Massey campuses for Pasifika students to use alongside Pasifika staff. It was formerly located on Level 2 of the Quad A building and has now moved to the ground floor of the Student Central Building. 

The new location was officially opened Wednesday 21 July, where it was blessed by Reverend Dr. Tokerau Joseph, a minister from the Cook Islands.  

Massey Albany Pasifika Students’ Association President Aniva-Storm Feau said around 40 students and staff attended the opening event and lunch. “Lunch was served by the PSS team, with platters of palusami and hāngi pies (super yum), koko Samoa cupcakes, rice paper rolls and coconut cake. The launch was a great opening for the fale which has been well-utilised since,” she said. 

Aniva said the old location had many issues which made it unfit for purpose, including required keycard access, no windows, no running water, and a small, cramped size. 

“It didn’t represent what a fale should; a place of congregation where Pasifika students can find and build community and work/study in a place comfortable and accessible for all. Without a visible, accessible, and functional fale, it became very hard to form a strong Pasifika community here in Albany,” she said. 

She said the new fale is a big upgrade in many aspects, with room for 15-20 students and staff, a kitchenette, lounge, and desks for study, and it is close to important locations like the library, classes and a café. “It is central on the Massey Albany campus. It is accessible and doesn’t make us feel hidden or undervalued by the university.”  

Aniva notes that the new space will soon be open until midnight for anyone who wishes to stay and study late as needed.