Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i (Samoan pronunciation: [aiŋaŋaˈlefili fepuˈleaʔi taˈpuaʔi]; born 2001 or 2002)[1] is a Samoan-New Zealander poet, indigenous, and climate change activist. She is the daughter of former Samoan MP Seminare Fepulea’i.[2]
Biography
Fepulea'i Tapua'i was born in South Auckland and educated at Aorere College.[1] In 2019 she organised Pasefika climate change group 4 Tha Kulture and participated in the 2019 climate strikes.[2][3] The story of her climate activism is documented in the film High Tide Don’t Hide.[4][5] In March 2020 she was selected to represent New Zealand at the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York City.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic she spoke out about racial inequality in education and how the pandemic had forced Pasefika students to leave school to support their families.[7][8] During the 2020 election campaign she was invited to participate in the leader's debate.[9][10]
Recognition
In November 2020 she was awarded the Young Leader award in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards.[11] In December 2020 she was awarded the supreme award for youth advocacy at the inaugural Pacific Cooperation Foundation Youth Leadership Awards.[1] In 2021 she was nominated for the New Zealander of the Year Awards in the "local hero" category.[12]