Oldest surviving Avele Student Takes Pride in the Struggles & Achievements

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 13 June 2024 – The sole survivor of the Avele Class of 1953, Tafafuna’i Fa’atasi Lauese remembers the struggle and achievement of being a student at Avele Boys School as it was known then.

Tafafunai is 84 years old and is currently a Justice of the Peace in New Zealand.

He entered Avele in 1953 and in 1958, was amongst the first students that established the Avele School of Agriculture and made Avele campus his home and family for 8 years.

“I was amongst the first class that started the School of Agriculture and those were tough times,” he told Talamua as he joined hundreds others of former students from Samoa and around the world celebrating the schools 100 years this week.

Known for its tough and often unorthodox disciplinary measures based on seniority, it was even tougher because the old students were very hard on the new students.

“O le sauā ia o tagata, ae ete le taliupu, ae punoa’i e fa’atino fa’atonuga a tama matutua.”

“The senior students were very tough on us but we never answer back but dutifully carry out their instructions,” he said.

Despite the hardships, the struggle and the homesickness, Tafafunai has no regrets as he cherished what he learnt from Avele that has forever shaped his life, spirit and character.

Stand out Teachers
He remembers Mr. Hardy who was the school principal at the time and the Samoan teachers were the late Sititi Samani and Reverend Faulalo Sagapolutele.

“They were tough teachers,” he said.

Iconic rugby player Michael Jones father, Derek Jones was also teaching at the time and he was their sports master who instilled in the hearts of Avele boys the phrase that “no school is better than Avele” when it comes to sports.

“Jones was our rugby coach and Avele became the best rugby team ever,” he said.

Straight after Avele in 1961, as Samoa was deep into preparations for political independence, he and other students were lucky to find jobs at the Department of Agriculture where they put into good use what they learnt at Avele.

In the late 1970s, he moved to New Zealand where he settled and worked various jobs and making a name for himself.

For 18 years, he served at the Manukau Council and also the Auckland City Council. He is the longest serving Chairman of the Pacific Labour Organisation in New Zealand and is currently a Justice of the Peace.

“I share my skills and knowledge learnt from Avele in handling matters in the community I am involved in,” he said.

With its slogan, “Lest we forget Avele – Ne’i Galo Avele,” the school has produced leaders in all walks of life and professions; from Prime Ministers and political leaders to business, law, church, education, sports, arts and at home as custodians of Samoan culture. Avele’s contribution to Samoa is fully acknowledged as it celebrates its 100 years this week.