Thursday, 3 April 2025

Storm Waka program

[NAMES AWAITING VERIFICATION]

Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (10:05): It was an absolute privilege to attend this morning’s NRL breakfast, hosted by Melbourne Storm through the Parliamentary Friends of Rugby League, and I would like to extend my thanks to Ms Watt, co-chair of this group, for this successful tripartisan event. I also want to commend the Melbourne Storm and their new Storm Waka program, a program that supports Māori and young Pacific Islands people throughout Melbourne. It was great to see so many of our young people who are graduates of this successful program. What was not discussed was: what does ‘waka’ mean? Waka translates to ‘canoe’ in Māori language and it represents unity, solidarity and the strong bonds that Māori and Pacific Islands people have to the oceans. The spirit of waka is about voyage, spiritually and physically, together, and I want to thank the young people for going on this voyage together that stands up against stereotypes and stigma for them. Sixty-five per cent of rugby league players in the NRL are from Pacific Islands heritage, and it is crucial for them to remain connected to their culture. I also want to thank Oren. Oren was the young person who spoke at this event, who spoke so proudly about his reconnection to culture through this program. Programs like these are so important, because they provide guidance and leadership for our young people, and I look forward to hosting this waka program in the north during the school holidays.