MJ Fau Fuimaono Latu - Young Leader

MJ Fau Fuimaono Latu is a young Samoan leader from Manurewa. At only eight years old, MJ has overcome profound challenges and celebrated remarkable achievements. As a Finlayson Park School student, he was awarded a $200,000.00 scholarship to attend King’s School. On the same day, MJ was rushed to hospital for the urgent treatment of a brain tumour. His story is one of bravery and excellence.

In order to obtain the Buchanan Charitable Trust Scholarship, MJ laboured over his entry letter, gathered seven written references and sat daunting entry exams. Following these preliminary steps, MJ was invited to a final interview with the Headmaster of King’s School as well as the Board of Trustees. So, he prepared a thoughtful presentation that he rehearsed for weeks.

Devastatingly, MJ was unwell during the lead-up to this crucial interview. However, his intentions were clear and he courageously pushed on. Out of five other finalists, MJ noticed that he was the only brown face in the room, and the only boy from ‘Rewa. This reinforced his resolve to succeed for his community. Despite feeling nervous in a space where he didn’t see anyone who looked like him, MJ spoke with poise and conviction. On June 13 2023, MJ triumphed for himself, his aiga and his hometown.

Only 48 hours later, the Headmaster contacted MJ’s parents, Teresa Latu and Anthony Latu, to tell them that MJ had been awarded the Buchanan Charitable Trust Scholarship. This meant that his tuition and other school expenses would be paid from Year 5 to Year 13. The Latu family were deeply grateful and humbled by this news.

As MJ continues to show astonishing resilience and strive for great heights, his advice to young Pasifika leaders is to learn how to speak publicly as soon as possible. He hopes for a future where more Pasifika voices are heard, and he believes that there is confidence to be gained in reclaiming our identities as skilled orators. Furthermore, MJ nurtures his love for Aganu’u Samoa by following in the footsteps of his elders. They lead through service and this is the example that MJ aspires to.