News

Le Va held three Growing Pasifika Solutions (GPS) satellites in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. They were smaller versions of the GPS satellite seminars, with the view of having focused regional working groups satellites. The GPS sessions were facilitated by Le Va CE, Denise Kingi-Uluave, and Apollo Taito, senior manager for mental health and addiction.

Supported by the Ministry of Health’s Suicide Prevention office, the Le Va Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund aims to empower Pasifika families and communities to prevent suicide and to respond effectively if and when a suicide occurs

With the support of an external panel, Le Va have concluded on the list of recipients to these 18 initiatives in New Zealand.

During our first Covid-19 lockdown and changing alert levels, many Pasifika faced challenges in accessing up-to-date official information on what was happening, how to stay safe and where to get help. Le Va’s Digital Inclusion Project piloted an inclusion project with South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services Trust in Tokoroa to connect families and communities digitally.

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.