Gagana Samoa Tutor – Rutherford Community Education
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Fa‘asāmoa) | BA in English Literature & Theatre
Fluent Speaker | Cultural Educator | Samoan Studies Specialist

Eileen Rosemary White is a fluent speaker of Gagana Samoa, raised in a Samoan-speaking household where language, faith, and fa‘asāmoa were part of everyday life. Born in Aotearoa and brought up within a traditional Samoan aiga, she was shaped by the voices of her mother tongues — the language of her elders, the rhythm of prayer, and the ancestral wisdom carried through everyday speech.

She embodies the living values of tautua (service), fa‘aaloalo (respect), and aiga (family and community), which continue to guide her teaching.

Eileen holds a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Fa‘asāmoa) from Victoria University of Wellington, alongside a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Theatre. With academic training in Samoan studies and strong English literacy, she teaches with clarity, creativity, and cultural integrity. Eileen has translated community health brochures into Gagana Samoa and is passionate about making the language accessible, empowering, and alive for today’s learners.

With over a decade of experience in education and cultural leadership — including a year counselling children — Eileen brings warmth, insight, and deep respect for every learner’s journey. Her Gagana Samoa night classes at Rutherford Community Education are a welcoming space for adults to learn, reconnect, and grow in confidence.

“Gagana Samoa is more than a language — it is identity, belonging, and the living heartbeat of our people."