Ben joined the Le Va team in November 2014 and has worked in the health sector for more than 15 years.
His passion is working with people, particularly moving towards positive outcomes for Pacific people and communities. This is reflected in his current role as Senior manager- Disability & public health.
Ben has also worked in mental health for more than eight years in various roles including coordinator for consumer support services, community support worker and also youth facilitator for the Like Minds Like Mine project. Before joining Le Va Ben was an Intensive Service Coordinator at Taikura Trust, for the intellectual disability/mental health stream. He facilitated holistic needs based assessments and coordinated appropriate supports for people with disabilities, many of them Pasifika families in the Auckland area.
Ben is of Tongan descent and was born and raised in Auckland. My father, Ikamafana, hails from Niua, though born and raised in Kolofo’ou Nuku’alofa. My mother, Alisi, is from Vaini, Tongatapu. I am a father of four beautiful kids.
