Rising Tonga media star excited to take her skills to the next level

A Pacific digital creator hopes to bring more attention to talent and organisations in the region to help them expand their horizons.

Pacific media and content creators travelled to the Kingdom of Tonga last week to participate in the Young Pacific Leaders Media and Literacy Workshop.

Young Pacific Leaders workshop attendees. Photo/Young Pacific Leaders - Facebook

Meleane Fifita was among 30 people selected to participate in this year's training.

The workshop's aim included expanding the participants' knowledge in media literacy and journalism, as well as pressing issues facing the region such as climate change and sustainability.

Fifita says her passion for storytelling started when she was the family’s go-to person for taking photos and video footage.

Watch Meleane Fifita's full Interview below.

She says she was already aware of what an amazing opportunity the Young Pacific Leaders regional workshop created before she got there.

“I'm very, very lucky to be able to be one of the 30 people to be selected.’’

Fifita’s other passions for community and voluntary work led her to become head of media and content for the Queensland Tonga Rugby League (QTRL).

Meleane Fifita at the Young Pacific Leaders workshop. Photo/YPL - Facebook

‘’So last year, I volunteered for Queensland's Tonga Rugby League, and they were at that time a brand new programme.

"I guess media and content creation has always been something I've been passionate about in terms of supporting and growing community work.’’

Her work captured the attention of Brisbane broadcaster Sulieni Layt, who became her mentor, helping Fifita transition into Pacific TV and radio.

This also inspired her to create her own digital media company, Mafana Media.

Workshop facilitators with participants. Photo/YPL - Facebook

‘’Sulieni did take notice, and I was very humbled, and I approached him just to be a mentor at first, upskill, develop, and finally got the opportunity to come in and, I guess, learn from other experienced people."

Going into the Pacific leaders workshop, Fifita hopes this will allow her to upskill and shine a light on Pacific organisations trying to capture the attention of sponsors to grow their work economically.

‘’So I guess what I would like to learn out of the programme is what skills I can then take back and develop to support organisations to thrive economically.’’

The Young Pacific Leaders Media and Literacy Workshop was held from 11-13 September in Nuku'alofa.