Talanoa with Ropeti (Lopeti) Salima about his time at Crown Lynn Potteries.

This interview is part of a project highlighting the experience of Pacific workers at Crown Lynn and associated companies. In 1981, 50.5% of the work force were from the Pacific Islands, and these interviews celebrate the diverse stories of this community.

After moving from Samoa to Auckland in the mid-1970s, Ropeti worked at Crown Lynn Potteries up until its closure in 1989. He worked physically demanding jobs at the factory, saving his money tirelessly to buy a house of his own. What Ropeti remembers most, however, is the relationships he had with the other employees. He describes the familial bond he had with his coworkers, and the ongoing friendships they shared in the years after Crown Lynn's closure. Although the work was hard, Crown Lynn gave Ropeti (and his friends), the chance to create a life for themselves and their families in New Zealand.

Check out the full interview to hear more of Ropeti's story.

Created with the support of the Ministry of Education's Pacific Support Fund, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga.