A proud Samoan woman whose parents moved from Sale’imoa, Samoa, to West Auckland, New Zealand in the 1970s, is looking for better opportunities for their children.

Growing up as the middle child of five, Pepe Afeaki learned early the values of hard work, faith, humility, and service, shaped by her parents’ quiet courage during a challenging time in history, including the era of the Dawn Raids.

Today, Pepe is a mother of three boys, Team Leader of the Maori and Pacific Career Development and Employability Services at the University of Auckland and is studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling.

Her path into higher education has not been conventional but reflects her commitment to helping others and staying true to her culture and values.

Balancing life between the Sāmoan cultural world at home and the broader New Zealand environment outside was not always easy, especially in professional spaces. Over time, Pepe learned to embrace her identity and lead with authenticity.

After high school, she chose to enter the workforce to help support her family, working in recruitment, where she discovered her passion for guiding others in their careers. In 2015, a colleague asked if she had considered career developmental questions that sparked her reflection and growth.

After raising her young children while working part-time, Pepe enrolled in a Diploma of Career Practice in 2018. This opened the door to further opportunities, and she later joined the University of Auckland as a part-time Employability Consultant.

She now leads the Māori and Pacific Career Development and Employability Services team, helping students achieve their career goals.

Pepe credits her success to the support of her family and mentors, as well as the values instilled in her by her parents. Her children are her driving force, her “why,” motivating everything she does.

Her favourite Samoan proverb, “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” – the pathway to leadership is through service – continues to guide her in both her professional and personal life.

Her advice to anyone at a career crossroads is simple: “Hold onto your values. Follow your heart, your strengths, and your story. Doors will open when you find work that is meaningful to you.”