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Congratulations to our 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Scholarship recipients

One of the pre-conference workshops at #GPS2016 was for recipients of a 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Scholarship. It focussed on their personal and professional development, as well as their responsibilities as a scholarship recipient.

This workshop was called ‘Activate your Human Superpowers’ and was delivered by Amanda Fleming, an expert personal and professional development coach.

The workshop content was designed to support recipients to reach their personal fulfilment by identifying and activating the five potent human skills (or “powers”) for high functioning – transforming how they see and work, and supporting their conscious evolution personally and professionally.

Le Va’s purpose is to support Pasifika families and communities to unleash their full potential, and the workshop was very much aligned to this purpose!

Recipients were then celebrated during the GPS conference itself, being among the VIP guests of honour at the conference dinner, where they formally received their 2016 Scholarship from the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Ministry of Health Pacific Advisor Matafanua Hilda Fa’asalele, Acting Director of Health Workforce NZ, Margareth Attwood and Derek Thompson, the Mental Health and Addictions Team Leader at the Ministry of Health.

The dinner hosted more than 250 guests, with recipients, their families and friends, and conference participants coming together to enjoy the evening.

Le Va would like to extend its congratulations again to all the 2016 Pacific Mental Health and Addictions scholarships recipients.

 

Ananda Ikurere

Ananda is currently studying towards a National Certificate of Mental Health and Addiction at Whitireia Community Polytechnic. Based in Porirua, Ananda is of Cook Island and Samoan descent and is currently working as a volunteer in the Like Minds, Like Mine Project for Vaka Tautua.

Aurand Tou

Aurand hails from Hamilton and is of Cook Island descent. Currently studying at the University of Waikato, Aurand is undertaking a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Psychology. His ultimate goal is to create and implement psychological interventions to empower Pasifika in overcoming mental illness.

Christina Betty Su’a

Christina resides in Auckland and is on her way towards achieving a Bachelor of Counselling with Laidlaw College with an interest particularly in the effects abuse, domestic violence and relationship breakdowns on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. She is of Samoan descent and currently works for Youthline as a call centre operator.

David (Fritz) Tuaa

David hails from Auckland and is of Samoan descent. He is currently in his second year of the Applied Social Work degree at Manukau Institute of Technology. Through personal experience and studies, his insights into mental health, addictions disability sparked his interest to work in the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit of Middlemore Hospital.

Eliakim Uasi-Fononga

Eliakim is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Based in Auckland, Eliakim is of Tongan descent and is currently supporting mental health service users and their family through his role as a support worker for Framework Intensive Support Service.

Elijah Lesatele

Elijah resides in Auckland and is on his way towards achieving a Bachelor of Addiction Studies with WELTEC. He is of Samoan descent with a heart to actively support people affected by substance abuse particularly young Maori and Pacific people.

Feleti Piva

Feleti grew up in Wellington and is currently residing in Mt Maunganui. Feleti is of Samoan descent and is seeking employment in the addictions sector after completing his Diploma of Applied Addictions at Moana House Training Institute.

Frances Tui

Frances is of Samoan descent and resides in Auckland. He is currently studying at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, working towards completing a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work. At present, Frances works for Framework Trust as an Intensive Support Worker in mental health.

Fredrick Lalogafau

Fredrick is an Alcohol and Other Drugs Clinician at Moana House in Dunedin. Fredrick is of Samoan descent and is on his way to completing Te Taketake Bridging Course with Moana House Training Institute.

Fuailelagi Samoa Saleupolu Heger

Fuailelagi resides in Wellington and is working towards completing a Master of Counselling at Massey University. She is of Samoan descent and currently working with the Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ as a Central region practice leader.

Hu’avai Mafi

Hu’avai hails from Auckland and is of Tongan descent. Currently studying at the University of Auckland, Hu’avai is working towards completing a Bachelor of Social Work with aspirations to work in the mental health sector.

Ieremia Leilua

Ieremia is of Samoan descent and is passionate about working in the mental health and addictions sectors. The Aucklander is in his final year of completing his Applied Social Work degree at the Manukau Institute of Technology.

Junior Muagutuia

Junior is a senior community support worker at Framework Trust. With 11 years’ experience in the sector, Junior is proactive in obtaining a leadership role with mainstream services. Junior is of Samoan descent and is currently working towards completing a Bachelor of Social Work with Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Auckland.

Kimberley Tuitoga

Kimberley resides in Dunedin and is of Fijian descent. Kimberley is currently working towards becoming a Psychologist specialising in mental health. She is studying towards a Masters in Science, majoring in Psychology at the University of Otago.

Leonia Mulipola

Leonia is from Auckland and of Samoan descent. Currently studying at the Manukau Institute of Technology, Leonia is completing her Bachelor of Nursing, looking to specialise as a psychiatric nurse.

Makoni Havea

Makoni resides in Auckland and is on her way towards completing a Master of Nursing at the University of Auckland. Makoni is of Tongan descent and currently works as a mental health specialist registered nurse for Whirinaki child and adolescent mental health at CMDHB, and primary mental health care at Langimalie.

Naomi Tatonga

Naomi is of Kiribati descent and currently resides in Dunedin. Naomi is studying at the University of Otago, working towards completing a Posgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation.

Paenga Lauaki

Paenga is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science at the University of Auckland. Based in Auckland, Paenga is of Tongan descent and is currently working as a nurse specialist at Whirinaki, child and adolescent mental health services, Counties-Manukau DHB.

Patricia Klyn

Patricia is from Wellington and of Samoan descent. Currently studying at Whitireia Polytechnic, Patricia is working towards completing a National Certificate of Mental Health and Addiction. At present, Patricia works as a project assistant in the Like Minds, Like Mine Project for Vaka Tautua.

Penisimasi Langi

Penisimasi is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Counselling at Laidlaw College. Based in Auckland, Penisimasi is of Tongan descent and currently works as a health promoter and counsellor for Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ.

Raniera Te Tawhiti Drew Kingi

Raniera hails from Auckland and is a mixture of Tongan, Samoan and Maori descents. Raniera is working towards being a clinical psychologist particularly within the New Zealand Defence Force. He is well underway to achieving this as he undertakes a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of Auckland.

Ritia (Lisa) Tioti

Ritia is interested in working as a registered in nurse in the mental health sector. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Nursing Pacific at Whitireia Polytechnic. Based in Porirua, Ritia is of Kiribati descent and is currently working for Bupa Rest Home as a caregiver.

Sailauama Talamivao

Sailauama aims to be a mental health worker, utilising academic learnings, life experience and cultural knowledge to Pasifika wellbeing. Sailauama is in her final year of study of her Applied Social Work degree at the Manukau Institute of Technology. She is of Samoan descent and resides in Auckland.

Sarah McLean

Sarah resides in Auckland and is on her way to achieving a Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science at the University of Auckland, majoring in mental health. Sarah is of Samoan descent and was also a semi-finalist for the University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year Awards held earlier in the year.

Sesilia Pongi

Sesilia is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa aspiring to work closely with young service users. Sesilia is of Tongan descent and resides in Auckland. Currently, she works as a health navigator for ProCare.

Toma Petelo

Toma resides in Christchurch and is on his way to completing a Postgraduate Diploma of Health Management at the University of Otago. He has a wealth of experience in the mental health and addictions sector. Toma is of Samoan descent and currently works for The Salvation Army as a lead facilitator.

Veisinia Lakai

Veisinia hails from Auckland and is of Tongan and Fijian descents. She hopes to serve the Pacific community as a clinical psychologist. Currently studying at Massey University, Veisinia is working towards completing a Master of Science, majoring in health psychology.

Adrienne Fruean

Adrienne hails from New Plymouth and is currently studying at the University of Otago, working towards completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (addictions & co-existing disorders). At present, Adrienne works as a senior co-existing problems clinician for Tui Ora.

Maria Lucas

Maria resides in Dunedin and is of Kiribati descent. Maria is studying at the Open Polytechnic, working towards a Diploma in Applied Mental Health.

Te Hiwi Preston

Te Hiwi resides in Whangarei and is a combination of Tahitian and Maori descents. Te Hiwi currently studies at Auckland University of Technology, working towards completing a Postgrraduate Diploma in Health Science (addictions). At present, Te Hiwi works for NorthTec as a Maori and Pacific advisor.

Florencenitinggale Lemisio

Florencenitinggale is currently studying towards a Diploma in Health Psychology as well as a Certificate in Health Wellbeing and Health Assistance. She is of Fotuna descent and resides in Wellington. At present, she works as a caregiver for the Britannia House.

Talapati Fesola’i

Talapati is of Samoan descent and currently resides in Auckland. Talapati is working towards completing a National Certificate of Mental Health and Addiction.

Lesieli Kalatiolatina Tino

Lesieli is from Auckland and of Tongan descent. With her mental health professional experience, Lesieli is undertaking a first year of Social Work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Kirifi Kirifi

Kirifi is of Tokelauan decent and resides in Wellington. Kirifi currently works as a Community Support Worker for IDEA Services who are advocates for those with intellectual disabilities. He is studying at Whitireia, working towards achieving a Bachelor of Social Work.

Corey Senelale

Corey hails from Dunedin and is of Samoan descent. Corey is currently studying at Moana House Training, working towards the completion of a Diploma in Applied Addictions Counselling. Corey currently works as hunga manaaki for Downie Stewart Moana House.

Faatili Jr Toala

Faatili resides in Auckland and is of Samoan descent. Currently studying at Manukau Institute of Technology, Faatili is working towards completing a Bachelor of Applied Social Work.

Ruta Aaitui

Ruta is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) at Manukau Institute of Technology. Ruta is of Samoan descent, resides in Auckland and aims to work as a counsellor with those serving time in prison.

Toilalo Lemalu

Toilalo lives in Auckland and is currently studying at AUT towards completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science specialising in mental health and addictions. Toilalo is of Samoan descent and, at present, works as a social worker for Faleola Pacific Mental Health Service.

ValoaValoa Jack

Valoa is of Cook Island descent and hails from Invercargill. At present, Valoa is working towards the completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology at Massey University. He currently works for Adventure Development as a counsellor.

Corrine Webb

Corrine resides in Hamilton and is of Cook Island descent. She is a fast-track recipient currently studying towards completing a Master of Applied Psychology at The University of Waikato.

Alapua Poasa

Alapua is currently studying towards the completion of a Graduate Diploma in Addiction, Alcohol and Drugs at WELTEC. Alapua is of Samoan descent and hails from Wellington. She currently works as a counsellor at Taeaomanino Trust.

Mathew Faleuka

Mathew is of Niuean descent and resides in Auckland. Mathew is currently studying towards completing a Bachelor of Addictions at WELTEC. At present, Mathew works as a counsellor for TUPU services at Waitemata District Health Board.

Athena Tapu

Athena hails from Auckland and is of Samoan descent. Currently studying Psychotherapy, a field where there is a shortage of Pacific people in the workforce. Athena is working towards completing her Master of Psychotherapy qualification at AUT.

Anne-Marie Erick

Anne-Marie is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Therapy at the University of Auckland. Anne-Marie is of Niuean descent and resides in Auckland, where she also works as a service coordinator for Spectrum Care.

Raudinc Samoa

Raudinc is of Samoan descent and works as a senior support worker at Capital Coast DHB. After completing his mental health and addictions support course, he continues to develop his knowledge and experience in the sector. Raudnic is working towards completing his Social Work degree at Whitireia.

Christopher Murray

Christopher is of Samoan and European descent who is in his final year of completing his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland. At present, Christopher is working at Whirinaki, CMDHB as an intern clinical psychologist.

Sonia Pope

Sonia hails from Auckland and is of Samoan descent. Sonia is studying towards a Master in Education – Educational Psychology at the University of Auckland, where she also works as a tuakana tutor at the University as well.

Peati Mene-Vaele

Peati is of Samoan descent from Christchurch. Her career pathway is to ultimately become a clinical psychologist. Peati is currently undertaking postgraduate study in psychology at the University of Canterbury.

You can view photos of scholarship recipients receiving their awards and from the entire #GPS2016 conference on Le Va’s Facebook page.

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Covid-19 Update

Face-to-face workshops will not continue while New Zealand is at Level 4. We will be in contact with all participants soon.