Atu-Mai in the community: Building protective roots across south and east Auckland

In recent weeks, Le Va’s Atu-Mai violence prevention team has reached more than 345 young people across sites in south and east Auckland – from festival grounds to school halls, sports clubs and career expos. Every engagement carries a shared message: that culture, relationships and identity are the foundations of a safer, thriving community.

Polyfest: More than a celebration

At Polyfest 2026, the Atu-Mai team ran a roaming mic and camera while supporting Le Va’s wider youth wellbeing survey. The conversations we captured are now being woven into video reels for our ‘Stories of Change’ social media series, spreading and normalising the kinds of conversations that build resilience, even for young people who weren’t at Polyfest. One young person shared: “Using my culture makes me feel safe like I’m home.”

McAuley High School: In-depth engagement

At McAuley High School, we delivered our full three-workshop programme, a transformative approach, to 127 Year 13 students:

• I AM explores cultural identity and Pacific values as practical tools for navigating relationships and decisions.
• Respectful Relationships builds frameworks around consent and boundaries, grounded in those cultural values.
• Upstander helps young people move from bystander to someone who shows up for others in practical, safe ways.

Students reflected: “Values help us to stay grounded in our culture” and “staying quiet can hurt people.” They wanted “to take the lead when people are in need, because people assume someone else will do it” and valued “being able to identify signs of an unhealthy relationship” and “understanding more about healthy relationships and how important those are.”

When 127 young people – future parents, colleagues and leaders – make that shift from passive bystander to active, caring community member, it can change cultural norms.

GI Eagles: Showing up in community spaces

In east Auckland, we engaged around 25 young people at GI Eagles, thanks to community leader Manuel Walker who opened the door, ensuring youth have access to Atu-Mai’s workshops. We also supported GI Eagles’ March for Mana suicide awareness event – a reminder that sports clubs are trusted spaces and standing alongside them extends the reach of our kaupapa.

Strive Innov8 Expo and the Lifeskills Job Fair: Meeting taiohi where ambition lives

At the Strive Innov8 Expo and Lifeskills Job Fair, we connected with around 180 young people thinking about their futures and what kind of adults they want to be. Being present in spaces where taiohi are focused on ambition allows us to link aspiration to the cultural and relational foundations that make those futures meaningful.

Why it matters

Young people don’t thrive or struggle in isolation. They are shaped by family, community, culture, and environment. Atu-Mai’s workshops, talanoa, ‘Stories of Change’, and community presence all reflect one belief: that building protective factors across multiple levels and spaces is how we shift the conditions that allow violence to take hold.

When a Year 13 student can name their values and apply them to a difficult relationship decision, that is prevention. When a young person at a career expo walks away with a stronger sense of self, that is protection. When a video reel sparks a household conversation, that is reach.

This is Atu-Mai’s work – meeting people where they are and building something that lasts.

To find out more about Le Va’s Atu-Mai violence prevention mahi or to book a workshop with your group, visit Atu-Mai or contact the team at atumai@leva.co.nz.