News

Over 90 applications were received by Le Va for community-based projects to address and prevent suicide in our Pasifika families and communities. Contracted by the Ministry of Health’s Suicide Prevention Office to deliver the Le Va Pasifika Suicide Prevention Fund, our collective aim is to build the capacity of our communities to prevent suicide and to respond effectively if and when a suicide occurs.

Le Va responded to the illegal gathering of Kava drinkers during lockdown alert level 4 in April 2020 by providing a digital means for Kava forums to continue via Zoom. This ensured maintaining cultural traditions safely while in the security of your own bubble.

It has been an exciting year for the Atu-Mai team at Le Va. Atu-Mai is New Zealand’s violence and sexual violence prevention programme for Pasifika youth and their families. Atu-Mai equips Pasifika people with the right knowledge, information, education, resources, and tools to prevent violence in our communities.

Imagine a world where Pasifika people with disabilities have access to all the services they need. A world without language or cultural barriers, and where Pasifika people with disabilities can live the life they want the way they want. Le Va is working with disability support services, communities, and others to develop such a world, right here in Aotearoa.

The delivery of Le Va’s national Engaging Pasifika Cultural Competency programme commenced in 2009. It focuses on equipping mainstream health and disability workers with the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes to meaningfully engage with Pasifika individuals and their families.

For 2020, Le Va has reached its highest number of Pasifika scholarships awarded in the history of the programme, with 111 scholarship recipients covering a variety of study areas, from social work, counselling and psychology to occupational therapy, and even indigenous knowledge!