Heartfelt song shares the struggles and triumphs for Dunedin’s Fijian students

It took nearly two years to conceptualize, write and record, but the creator of the song “Moce Otago” says the process was well worth the wait.

The vucu (creation of stories through song) tells a story of change, challenge and triumph through the lens of Pacific students studying in Dunedin.

PhD graduate and Pacific Students Supports Facilitator at the Otago Business School Jekope Maiono helped create the song, and says it highlights the unique experience Pacific students face during their studies.

“The cold mornings, the snow, the people who help you as part of the Pacific village we have here.

“The song is very universal, it’s written in a way that captures almost everyone that comes down here. If you listen to the lyrics, it talks about the good days that you spent down here.”

The University of Otago has been the school of choice for an increasing number of Pacific students and Maiono says seeing more brown faces encouraged him to create the song.

“I found myself coming back to uni in my early thirties, and I see a lot of eighteen year olds from around New Zealand come down here. And all the students I met were from either Auckland or Wellington, none from Dunedin.

“And so I thought, there’s something about this place. After completing my study, I said to myself, I want to tell the world, I want to tell the people in Fiji how beautiful this place is.

“What a good way of doing that, to write a song about it. One day I will eventually say goodbye to this place, but the song will remain for every generation to come.”

Pacific Students Supports Facilitator at the Otago Business School Jekope Maiono.

Maiono explains that “Moce Otago” took nearly two years to conceptualize, write and record. Having the song in Fijian meant his team wanted to provide an authentic Fijian experience.

“Back in the day, recording and capturing events was called a “vucu ni vanua ", usually a chant they sing, and that’s how they recorded significant events over time.

“Now in a modern way, they write songs about it (events).”

Maiono hopes that the song will entice students in Fiji especially, to consider Dunedin as a choice when studying abroad.

“For me I know studying one day will come to an end, I wanted to leave something behind for the people who come to Otago. And also, an opportunity for other Fijians in Fiji.

“So when they hear this song, they will start to think about Otago “where is this place? Where is this University?” and the song targets Fijians in Fiji who have never heard of Otago.

“When you think of New Zealand, you only think of Auckland. Only a few people who come here and study, know this place and understand it. The song really touches on that.”

Listen to the full song: