Josiah Tualamali’i

Josiah has four brothers of Samoan and Pākehā whakapapa and grew up in Christchurch and Dunedin. Alongside a group of Pacific youth who had been encouraged into leadership by their elders, he co-founded PYLAT – a charitable trust that empowers Pacific young people’s voices in all worlds.

In 2015 he was appointed to the Le Va board and he has supported the organisation to increase its connection to our largest community, Pacific young people. He is experienced in mental health policy and served as a panel member of the 2018 Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction.

Josiah is also on the boards of our whānau entities Te Pou, Blueprint for Learning and Wise Trust. In July 2023 he became the youngest Children’s Commissioner of Aotearoa New Zealand and is the first Pacific person appointed to serve in this role.