There is concern in Aotearoa New Zealand that Pacific students, families, and communities are underserved by schooling. Of note is the inability of education to encourage and equitably enable Pacific students to follow a successful journey into science. To shed light on this situation, this article presents the stories of two young Pacific scientists who are now engaged in the health sector. Key elements include stereotypes, motivations, sacrifices, and teacher influence. The stories offer instructive examples of the "context behind the context", offering guidance to teachers of Pacific students in science and other subjects.