Youth Advisory Group welcomes new members

Le Va’s Youth Advisory Group is a team of young Pasifika ambassadors, thinkers and dreamers who help inform and embed the youth voice into Le Va’s research and practices around youth mental health and wellbeing.

We would like to introduce our four new members for 2024, who we welcomed and inducted into the group on 16 March at Logan Campbell House in the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

Faauatua Tuiatua

Talofa lava, my name is Faatuatua Tuiatua. I’m 19 years of age and a proud Samoan. It’s an honour and a privilege to be a youth advisor for 2024. It has always been my passion to help our Polynesian brothers and sisters overcome mental health issues.

Epeli Prescott

Malo e lelei, my name is Epeli Prescott. I am currently a Year 12 student at Mt Albert Grammar School. I have a passionate niche for the performing arts but also for health sciences, where I will be seeking tertiary education. I am a member of the Pacific Health Science Academy and a recipient of the TOLOA scholarship for STEAM. I am thrilled to be a part of the Le Va Youth Advisory Group in order to aid our Pacific community through the work of our youth.

Fili Fono

Talofa lava and malo e lelei, my name is Fili and I am one of the new members in the Le Va Youth Advisory Group. I hail from the beautiful islands of Samoa and Tonga. I graduated from Wesley College in 2021 and am currently in my second year of my Health Science degree at the University of Auckland.

Applying for this position was an opportunity to not only have a voice to advocate for Pasifika youth, but an eye opener to the different perspectives that our Pasifika people hold. Mental health is such an underrated topic amongst our Pasifika communities and this being one of Le Va’s key focuses contributed to my passion and drive to apply for this group. I am beyond grateful to have been selected and am excited for the things I will learn along the way, but also to be in a space where I’m able to serve and advocate for our Pasifika youth.

Eddstar Tupolo

Talofa lava, my name is Eddstar Jaynie Tupolo, a proud Island born Tama’ita’i Samoa from the villages of Vaipu’a, Lefagaoalii, Asau and Salelologa in the big island of Savai’i. Also the villages of Vaiusu, Lokoso’a Sale’imoa, and Solosolo in Upolu. I currently reside in Porirua, Wellington.

I am 23 years young, qualified in Māori & Pasifika performing arts, an international pageant contestant who has a big heart for her family, loved ones and community and is an advocate for Pasifika and Rainbow wellbeing.

I believe that leadership is not about positions and titles, but is about one life inspiring and encouraging another. With this amazing opportunity, I am happy to bring my people and ancestors with me in a space where I can utilise and extend my knowledge and experience more in working with youth, Rainbow & Pasifika communities in general.

I firmly believe that centralising the needs of our Indigenous and Pacific people is imperative. With my Performing Arts hat and alongside my work for Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust as a Rainbow Administrator and Schools Coordinator, I am able to connect more with rangatahi through the fields of cultural music and performing arts. Utilising our cultural stories as a safe blanket in expressing their own journey and stories.

I look forward to taking this next step with Le Va’s Youth Advisory Group without expectations, but my hopes lie within the health and wellbeing of our people.