Workshop - May 2009

The last two-day block of workshops for the Le Tautua emerging leaders programme was held on 26-27 May 2009, in Auckland. Twenty-one participants successfully completed the course and were awarded with their certificates. The workshop presentations this year included:

• Dr Monique Faleafa (National Manager, Le Va) overview of the programme and the work of Le Va
• Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann (Pacific Health Consultant) on ‘Gafa - making connections’ and ‘Clinical and cultural competencies’
• Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira (Pacific Consultant and Managing Director) on ‘the concept of Va’ and ‘Searching for cultural relevance in a contemporary society’
• Ti’a Kirkpatrick Mariner (Planner & Funder, Counties Manukau DHB) on ‘Attributes for effective management of Pacific health services in New Zealand’
• Vui Mark Gosche (former cabinet minister) on the ‘Mechanics of government and Pacific health’
• Juli Clausen (Press Secretary/Communications) on ‘effective communication and presentation’
• Dr Peter Cammock (Senior Lecturer, University of Canterbury) on ‘Building the personal foundations of leadership’
• Rob Verkerk (Consultant/Lecturer) on ‘Project Management’

One of the requirements for successfully completing the programme was for each participant to contribute to a group project and present it to a guest panel. The group assignment topics available were:

• Primary and secondary mental health and addictions interface.
• Reducing use of seclusion/restraint in inpatient units for Pacific people.
• Mental health in the South Pacific - How do we help our families in the islands?
• Pacific child and youth mental health and addictions service - what should one look like?
• Workforce development - How can we increase the capacity & capability of Pacific people?

The panel - Ti’a Kirkpatrick Mariner, Vui Mark Gosche, Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira, Dr Monique Faleafa, Juli Clausen and Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann.

The presentation marking criteria for the group assignment was:

• Overall presentation & communication skills
  • Clarity of key messages
  • Tone, confidence and persuasiveness
  • Engagement of the audience
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Impact and impression (Wow factor)  
• Relevance of content to assigned task
• Strength of arguments and/or key points 
• Ability to answer/cover questions  
• Evidence of teamwork and cooperation 
• Practicality and applicability of ideas  

A prize was given to the best presentation from one of the five groups that presented as judged by the panel. A scholarship award was also given to the most outstanding individual/s overall. The winning group presentation for 2009 called themselves 'Return to Paradise'.

Return to Paradise - Shana Malio (Le Va), Tavita Asiata (Penina Health Trust), Jeff Cummings (Tupu Services), Helen Schmidt (CADS South Auckland).

This year $3000 scholarships were presented to the two most outstanding participants:

Uieta Kaufusi: Uieta is a young Tongan woman living in Hamilton. Her role is coordinator at Kaute Pasifika Services and the Pacific Community Development Project. She is in close contact with clients and service users and often adopts a more holistic model of well being. Uieta is fluent in the Tongan language and has a BA in Political Science and MA in International Relations and Security Studies.
Norman Mene-Vaele: Norman is a young Samoan youth worker specialising in the child and youth alcohol & other drugs field. Norman works for Pacific Trust Canterbury in Christchurch. He is a leader in community youth groups, church and a member of a band. Norman aspires to further his career as a specialist in the alcohol & drug or mental health field, and is strongly supported by his employers.

As a bonus, this year’s cohort joined members of the 2008 cohort on the Evolving Leaders Alumni workshop. The two cohorts merged at the certificate presentation and celebration dinner on 28 May at the Copthorne Hotel. This is where the group and individual scholarship awards were presented by Dr Manuka Henare and Vui Mark Gosche. Participants were then treated to fine music by Young National Performer of the Year and rising opera star, James Ioelu.

James Ioelu	Dr Manuka Henare and Vui Mark Gosche

Three high-achieving and influential Pacific leaders were invited to share their insights and thoughts to the combined Le Tautua classes of 2008 and 2009:

• Lita Foliaki (Planning and Funding Manager, Waitemata DHB), 
• Debbie Sorensen (Director, Health Specialists Ltd); and
• Dr Colin Tukuitonga (CEO, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs).

The overwhelming feedback from the Evolving Leaders Alumni programme was that all three speakers were inspirational and inspiring. The participants rated the programme overall as excellent and a great success.

Evolving leaders alumni 2008-09

For all enquiries please contact Manase Lua.

Page last updated: 22 June 2010