Though he left Fiji in 2010, Simione’s connection to his roots has remained steadfast. Now based in Nelson, he balances a career as a Registered Nurse at Nelson Hospital and a part-time Nursing Tutor at Whitireia, Porirua, Wellington. His dedication to education continues beyond the classroom, having recently completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Pacific Health Leadership and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Pacific Health and Nursing. Currently, he’s working towards his Master’s in Professional Practice – Nursing Leadership, with hopes of one day pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy. 

Simione explains that leadership is not just about professional advancement — it’s about cultural grounding. 
"I belong to the Nelson Fijian Community, Matasiga Kameli and the Melita Methodist Church where I get to meet other Fijian people that lives in the region. These are also the platforms that I get to refresh my knowledge on Fijian language, cultures, lifestyle, and my spiritual wellbeing." 

This deep connection to his community aligns with this year’s Fijian Language Week theme: 
'Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale' – 'My language starts at home.' 

"To me personally, everything begins from home, including our language. The teaching and passing of knowledge from one generation to another need to continuously transpire.  

"This will enable our young people to learn, grasp, and live with what they have learnt, and they will be able to pass this on to those that come after them." 

He reminds us that language and culture are sustained through intentional acts of sharing — at home, within families, and across communities. His journey embodies the essence of Fijian Language Week in that every word spoken, every story told, and every lesson shared is an act of preserving identity. As Simione continues his studies and service to others, he aims to continue leading with purpose, guided by his language, faith, and vanua.