Congratulations to the joint winners of the Pacific Emerging Leadership Award, sponsored by Le Va, at the 2024 SunPix Pacific Peoples Awards on 22 November.
Selu-Kian Lealiifano Faletoese is a Samoan storyteller, producer, and co-founder of Lalaga Niu, dedicated to preserving Indigenous and Pasifika stories.
A 2021 AUT graduate in TV and Screen Production, she has worked on films like ‘E lele le Toloa’ and ‘Koroseta’ and has contributed to research on marginalised communities.
Through Lalaga Niu, Selu-Kian empowers youth and amplifies Pasifika voices in storytelling.
Tristan Petelo Ah-Sui, currently a student at the University of Auckland, is a passionate advocate for Pacific youth.
As co-founder of the Village Arts Association, a Samoan teacher at Dilworth School and organiser of the Le Manumea conference, he empowers Pacific students through education and cultural pride.
Through his platform, The Tautua Movement, Tristan amplifies Pacific voices and supports community causes.
The Pacific Emerging Leadership Award recognises Pacific youth leadership and the valuable foundation that creates for the future.
Le Va looks forward to seeing what both Selu-Kian and Tristan continue to achieve in the years to come.
Watch the ceremony
You can watch coverage of the SunPix Pacific Peoples Awards ceremony below:
Putting together a plan to highlight International Youth Day on 12 August.
One of the key insights from our youth survey at Polyfest 2024 earlier this year was that our Pasifika young people often turn to social media to seek wellbeing support.
Instagram and TikTok were the top two platforms, receiving more votes than services like church, youth groups or face-to-face counselling.
As a result, the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) with support from Le Va’s Niu Wave team formulated a plan to relaunch Le Va’s TikTok account with some fun content to appeal to their peers.
In the countdown to International Youth Day, they worked together to bring their ideas to life, filming ‘get ready with me’ videos to share a snapshot of their daily lives.
International Youth Day 2024 arrived and the team launched a video they had filmed and edited themselves, in celebration of youth and talking about the legacy they want to leave behind.
Niu Wave project manager, Sonia Pope, said, “It was great for Le Va to see how our young people valued this collaboration and how they wanted to exercise their youth voice.
“It is important for us to celebrate young people and to continue collaborating with our YAG on Le Va initiatives. With their help, we can ensure we continue to connect with our young people in the digital spaces they occupy.”
At Le Va we are grateful to benefit from the advice of our dedicated Youth Advisory Group, and are excited to see the impact of their creative ideas in making our online presence even more vibrant and engaging.
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Check out our TikTok channel to get to know our YAG members!
Throughout Youth Week from 20-26 May, Le Va celebrated by sharing the results of our youth survey alongside insights from our Youth Advisory Group.
The theme for Youth Week 2024 was ‘Māwherangi a tama roto ka taka, kāpuia ake ka pūrangiaho – We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.’
For Pasifika people, collectivism and togetherness are some of our core values. Our youth are empowered to unleash their full potential when their relationships are flourishing and they are connected to a village of healthy support.
During Polyfest 2024, Le Va carried out a survey that captured the voices of more than 1,150 young people aged 16-24. With a focus on mental health and wellbeing, the survey explored factors that impact mental health, where our youth seek support and possible solutions.
Our survey results showed that 65% of Pasifika youth rate their mental health as good or excellent and 80% feel hopeful about the future. Friends, family and teachers were the most frequently chosen sources of support for youth when they need help.
Our young people reported that the top five stress factors currently impacting their mental health are: school responsibilities; not enough or too much sleep; social media; feeling alone; and family responsibilities.
On the flip side, the top five things with a positive effect on youth mental health are: listening to music; connecting with friends; connecting with family; prayer/reading the bible; and outdoor activities.
The highest ranked services or platforms providing wellbeing support are: Instagram; TikTok; church; youth group; and face-to-face counselling.
At Le Va, we are committed to supporting our youth to unleash their full potential. Investing in the wellbeing of youth now will create a better future for all.
The voices of our young people are essential to the work we do at Le Va for Youth. It supports the work we do in the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of Le Va’s initiatives for young people.
Below are some of the key findings from our youth survey.
- Our data shows that 60% of youth would turn to a friend and 59% to a family member for help, while only 10% would seek help from a counsellor.
- Nearly two thirds of youth (65%) surveyed rated their mental wellbeing as good or excellent, while 30% rated it as okay.
- More than one quarter of our youth identified ‘school responsibilities’ as a current stressor impacting their mental health.
- Nearly half (49%) of youth who participated in our survey selected music as something that improves their mental health.
- Instagram was selected by the most youth (35%) as a platform/service that provides the best wellbeing support, followed closely by Tik Tok (33%). In contrast, Facebook was only selected by 9% of youth.
- Eighty percent of youth who completed our survey reported hope for the future.
Le Va’s Niu Wave programme was created and designed for Pasifika students to go through a journey that will teach them how to take care of their overall wellbeing as they study.
Our Niu Wave team leads the youth wellbeing programme for all recipients of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ Toloa Secondary School Scholarships.
In May, the team kicked off the programme with their first online meeting of the year for the 2024 Toloa cohort.
The information session was a chance for students to connect with Le Va, meet the Niu Wave team and learn about our partnership with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
As part of the Niu Wave programme, students will learn about topics like cultural identity, mental health, respectful relationships, spirituality and leadership.
Each student will be matched with a Niu Wave mentor who will guide them through the programme, answer questions and address any concerns.
Wellbeing workshops held throughout the year are designed to enhance students’ overall wellbeing and facilitate their learning.
This is all delivered within a village-style setting, where students will meet other Pasifika youth from their region and join a digital village chat group online.
Congratulations to all the successful 2024 Toloa students – exciting times are ahead for you all and we are so happy to be part of your Niu Wave wellbeing journey!
We would like to introduce our four new members for 2024, who we welcomed and inducted into the group on 16 March at Logan Campbell House in the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
Faauatua Tuiatua
Talofa lava, my name is Faatuatua Tuiatua. I’m 19 years of age and a proud Samoan. It’s an honour and a privilege to be a youth advisor for 2024. It has always been my passion to help our Polynesian brothers and sisters overcome mental health issues.
Epeli Prescott
Malo e lelei, my name is Epeli Prescott. I am currently a Year 12 student at Mt Albert Grammar School. I have a passionate niche for the performing arts but also for health sciences, where I will be seeking tertiary education. I am a member of the Pacific Health Science Academy and a recipient of the TOLOA scholarship for STEAM. I am thrilled to be a part of the Le Va Youth Advisory Group in order to aid our Pacific community through the work of our youth.
Fili Fono
Talofa lava and malo e lelei, my name is Fili and I am one of the new members in the Le Va Youth Advisory Group. I hail from the beautiful islands of Samoa and Tonga. I graduated from Wesley College in 2021 and am currently in my second year of my Health Science degree at the University of Auckland.
Applying for this position was an opportunity to not only have a voice to advocate for Pasifika youth, but an eye opener to the different perspectives that our Pasifika people hold. Mental health is such an underrated topic amongst our Pasifika communities and this being one of Le Va’s key focuses contributed to my passion and drive to apply for this group. I am beyond grateful to have been selected and am excited for the things I will learn along the way, but also to be in a space where I’m able to serve and advocate for our Pasifika youth.
Eddstar Tupolo
Talofa lava, my name is Eddstar Jaynie Tupolo, a proud Island born Tama’ita’i Samoa from the villages of Vaipu’a, Lefagaoalii, Asau and Salelologa in the big island of Savai’i. Also the villages of Vaiusu, Lokoso’a Sale’imoa, and Solosolo in Upolu. I currently reside in Porirua, Wellington.
I am 23 years young, qualified in Māori & Pasifika performing arts, an international pageant contestant who has a big heart for her family, loved ones and community and is an advocate for Pasifika and Rainbow wellbeing.
I believe that leadership is not about positions and titles, but is about one life inspiring and encouraging another. With this amazing opportunity, I am happy to bring my people and ancestors with me in a space where I can utilise and extend my knowledge and experience more in working with youth, Rainbow & Pasifika communities in general.
I firmly believe that centralising the needs of our Indigenous and Pacific people is imperative. With my Performing Arts hat and alongside my work for Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust as a Rainbow Administrator and Schools Coordinator, I am able to connect more with rangatahi through the fields of cultural music and performing arts. Utilising our cultural stories as a safe blanket in expressing their own journey and stories.
I look forward to taking this next step with Le Va’s Youth Advisory Group without expectations, but my hopes lie within the health and wellbeing of our people.
Le Va was the primary sponsor for the two-day ASB Polyfest Leaders Conference in January, bringing together more than 100 student leaders for cultural master classes as they prepare for ASB Polyfest 2024.
The event was hosted by Le Va Project Coordinator Trent Faliu as MC, and the Le Va team delivered three ‘I AM’ workshops, putting Pasifika cultural values into action for Pasifika youth to discover how to strengthen their self-worth.
On 12 February, the Le Va team took part in the inaugural TupuToa Summit – aimed at growing young Māori and Pasifika leaders for a greater Aotearoa.
The event was packed full of inspiring Māori and Pacific professionals and community leaders, sharing their experiences and insights about career opportunities with hundreds of young interns and high school students from around the motu.
Le Va’s Senior Manager Mental Health and Addiction, Toleafoa Mark Esekielu, said of the summit, “It was inspiring for our team to meet so many intelligent and engaged young Pacific people in one space. They came from such diverse areas of study from across the country and from overseas, with a clear desire to support their Pasifika communities.”
The theme for the 2024 summit was inspired by the Niuean proverb ‘Tu ke mau, neke to’, meaning ‘Stand tall, so you won’t fall’ – a powerful message of encouragement for our young people to remain steadfast and resilient in the face of adversity.
Throughout January we put out a call for new members for the Le Va Youth Advisory Group, a team of young Pasifika ambassadors, thinkers and dreamers who help us to inform and embed the youth voice into Le Va’s research and practices.
Applications to join the group are now closed, and we will have an announcement next month about the successful candidates as we continue to empower the Pasifika leaders of tomorrow.
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Find out more about Le Va for Youth.
I believe all issues in the world are connected – things like mental health, climate change, as well as child poverty. No young person should have to live in an environment where they can’t thrive. – Nele Kalolo
As the proud sponsor of the Pacific Emerging Leadership category for the Sunpix Pacific People’s Awards, Le Va celebrated alongside winners Āniva Clarke and Nele Kalolo on the night of 13 November.
Honouring the resilience, creativity, and leadership of young Pacific people, the category recognises Pasifika youth leadership and the valuable foundation that creates for the future.
Both Nele and Āniva are impressive young women, dedicated to serving their communities, sharing their culture and advocating for positive change.
Nele Kalolo
Nele hails from the villages of Faga and Vaimoso in Samoa and is a Young Ambassador for Unicef Aotearoa, Deputy Chair for the Consumer Advisory Committee at Pharmac, and a Tuakana for MAPAS and the Tuākana Arts Programme at the University of Auckland.
Nele joined Le Va’s Youth Advisory Group in 2023 and has supported community engagement at events like Polyfest and our Niu Wave graduations. Her ability to articulate issues facing Pasifika youth with clarity and passion has been an inspiration for those around her.
“I believe all issues in the world are connected – things like mental health, climate change, as well as child poverty. No young person should have to live in an environment where they can’t thrive,” said Nele.
Āniva Clarke and family
Āniva grew up in Samoa and has served as a youth ambassador on climate and environment to the UN Committee. Her local community advocacy led her to become the first youth ambassador for Pacific Women in Climate Change Network and this year she became the first Samoan Head Prefect at Diocesan School for Girls.
Āniva has been part of Le Va’s Niu Wave programme for two years, and over that time she has consistently demonstrated powerful leadership qualities.
She said, “It is beyond an honour to have received the Pacific Emerging Leadership Award. Le Va encouraged my leadership as a Pasifika youth and helped to equip me with the tools to navigate spaces where we are a minority.
“I am beginning my first year at university next year studying towards a Bachelor of Laws conjoint with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Geography and Pacific Studies. I hope this pathway leads me to be a part of organisations that work in the spaces of Human Rights as well as the environment, and approach these roles through a Pasifika perspective.”
We are fortunate to have both young women as a part of our Le Va community, and we are confident that the future of Pasifika youth is looking bright with Āniva and Nele leading the way.
One of the most impactful workshops for me was the leadership workshop, which brought to my mind the countless ways our Pasifika people are already leaders. The way we serve each other and our communities coming from the strong values of reciprocity that we hold in our hearts – Jessica Tupai
In celebration of the 300 high school and tertiary students who completed the year-long 2023 Niu Wave programme, Le Va recently held graduation ceremonies in Auckland, Christchurch, Palmerston North and Wellington.
Jessica Tupai spoke eloquently at the Wellington graduation event, saying, “One of the most impactful workshops for me was the leadership workshop, which brought to my mind the countless ways our Pasifika people are already leaders. The way we serve each other and our communities coming from the strong values of reciprocity that we hold in our hearts.”
Over the course of the year, Pasifika students from across Aotearoa embraced their wellbeing journey alongside their peers, tackling topics like respectful relationships, mental health and the importance of their Pasifika cultural identity.
Year 13 Niu Wave graduate, Tonga Tauataina Helu, said of his two-year involvement with the programme, “Niu Wave for me personally has had a really big impact on my outlook on life and my wellbeing… [It] helped me to build my confidence and to be proud of who I am as a Tongan descendant. It didn’t matter what country you were from or how much percentage of Pasifika you were, the Niu Wave programme welcomed us with open arms and brought us together.”
All Niu Wave participants are recipients of the Toloa Scholarship, which is funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) and supports students focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, or STEAM.
Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Secretary for Pacific Peoples at MPP, said that pursuing STEAM opens a world of possibilities for young Pacific people. She added, “Pacific people have been underrepresented in the STEAM fields for a long time and the Ministry – along with the likes of Le Va – are working hard to change this scenario.”
Le Va wishes every success to the 2023 Niu Wave graduates and their aiga for their future journeys in these exciting fields.
Over 31,000 online gamers, cosplay enthusiasts, comic collectors, esports champions, and genuinely interested New Zealanders packed into the Auckland ASB showgrounds for this year’s Winter Armageddon expo event.
A photo booth allowed patrons to capture special moments with their family and friends, eye-catching holograms showcased some of the Mana Restore discord server content and a dedicated wellbeing space gave respite from the large crowds. One patron commented on the wellbeing space being a life saver.
Over 230 new members joined the Mana Restore discord server over the 3-day event and 600 signed up for more information about the Mana Restore project. The overall Mana Restore project is a mental health literacy solution for young people and their families to increase social inclusion, decrease stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviour. With a website to complement the new Discord server, young gamers and their families have greater access to mental health information and tools.
If you are an online gamer and want to learn more, join our discord server today https://discord.gg/ManaRestore or visit our website at www.manarestore.nz.
Honestly listen. It’s as simple and complex as it sounds. Sometimes we don’t need solutions, we just need someone to listen with an empathetic heart.
– Kasi Valu
Do we really know what our young people are going through? Le Va had the privilege of connecting with a spoken word winner and leader in the Pasifika community, Kasi Valu. This is the the unedited story of his dreams, how he is coping with the pandemic and his advice for parents to better support their child’s mental health and wellbeing.
What are 5 dreams you have as a Pasifika young person?
Dreams are forever flourishing in and out like endless rivers washing the shores of my mind, every single day.
Taha – One dream that has planted its seed and mounted its immovable roots is to go back to Tonga and live there for some time. In the current climate we are living in this seems to become more out of reach. However, I tend to gravitate towards things that are not easy to attain, it’s embedded into who I am, it’s embedded into the excellence of every Pasifika person.
Ua – I dream to continue to tell stories for a living. I did not choose to pursue the arts, it is my calling. I have tried many other avenues of study and profession, however my soul is fulfilled by the nutrients of storytelling. This directly links to my work with Le Moana where I am mentored and nourished by one of the best Tupe Lualua, and with my brothers in Talanoa Toko. Both hold unique and special ties to the core compass that helps me navigate a variety of spaces within the arts and society.
Tolu – Win an Oscar. We are the original storytellers, need I say more?
Fa – I dream of writing and publishing a collection of poetry/short stories that is reflective of my experience as a sexually fluid Tongan child of the Pacific diaspora in Aotearoa in collaboration with other Pasifika artists, writer and poets because nobody hold a pen to paper like we do. Our experiences deserved to be and will be platformed within every stream of media, platform and avenue, in galleries, scholarly articles and stages, whatever it may be, our ancestors were, to allow us to be.
Nima – To choose joy, drink water, mind my business and stay connected to my family, to our people, our community, to our oceans.
How have you coped with the pandemic and how has this impacted your self-journey of personal growth and development?
I’m privileged to have had the support of my siblings and family during this pandemic. That’s how I continue to cope. Connecting with my family. In a world where there is so much uncertainty darting across our glass screens and the unpredictability of what may come next within our arts industry, it’s a privilege to have a foundation, sedimented in immovable and unconditional love.
Describe an environment that makes you most happy.
There’s an array of environments that make me most happy. Being inside my room with my books, incense, candle, and some butcher’s paper. Having time to Talanoa, eating junk food and watching a movie with my siblings, my nena, my family. Spending time with my chosen family in Wellington, who have nurtured in place of my siblings, in our falekā.
How could a parent better support their children’s mental health and wellbeing?
Honestly listen. It’s as simple and complex as it sounds. Sometimes we don’t need solutions, we just need someone to listen with an empathetic heart.
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