The talanoa (conversation/discussion) was hosted by charitable trust K’aute Pasifika in their Pacific style fale in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Members of the community, disability service providers and those with lived experience were in attendance and all contributed a wealth of knowledge that will be pivotal in shaping the new plan.
The goal was to learn the challenges experienced by our Pacific disabled people, what systems are currently working well or not so well, and to make the system and sector better for them and their aiga or whānau.
Le Va’s Faiva Ora leadership group enables Pasifika people with disabilities to advance and champion Pasifika disability issues by having their views represented at the highest levels in Aotearoa New Zealand.
By co-developing the National Pacific Disability Action Plan with the community, we ensure that the Pasifika community’s needs and goals guide important changes to the disability support system and services.
There is a series of talanoa scheduled across the country and Whaikaha invites all Pacific disabled people and their aiga to attend and share their experiences.
Dates for future talanoa can be found on the Whaikaha website. You can also contact Whaikaha directly at pacificpeoples@whaikaha.govt.nz or text 4206.
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Learn more about Le Va’s Faiva Ora leadership group.
“O le tele o sulu, e maua ai figota” is a Samoan proverb meaning, “Through collaboration, the most difficult challenges can be overcome.”
Partnership and collaboration are integral to the success of Le Va, Aotearoa’s leading Pacific primary prevention organisation, which is why Le Va’s Board and senior executives were pleased to sign a memorandum of understanding with the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) and the International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL) this week.
Chief Executive of Le Va, Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave said, “Given the prevailing uncertainty in the world, many have voiced their concerns regarding its potential impact on people’s mental wellbeing. To best address these issues, we believe that strong leadership is crucial, which is why we are eagerly anticipating our collaboration with IIMHL and IIDL.”
Signing the MoU signals Le Va’s expansion into a global arena of leadership, representing Pasifika interests to achieve the best outcomes for Pacific people with disabilities and lived experience of addiction and mental health challenges.
Steve Appleton, the President and Chief Executive of IIMHL/IIDL said of his trip to Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia that it was an opportunity to formalise the collaboration with Le Va, and make progress in working together with Pasifika leaders.
“Through sharing experiences and learning from one another, we can build stronger communities, stronger services, and services that can respond more effectively to the needs of our increasingly diverse populations,” Steve said.
IIMHL and IIDL connect international mental health leaders to help them share innovations and solve problems in the areas of mental health, addiction and disability around the globe.
Nine countries are members of the group, with New Zealand being a founding member of IIMHL and the Netherlands the latest country to join IIDL, alongside Australia, Canada, England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and USA.
Le Va supports Pasifika families and communities to unleash their full potential, bringing more than 15 years of experience to the primary prevention of suicide, violence, mental health and addiction, and strengthening the Pasifika public health workforce.
Led by their Chief Executive, Paula Tesoriero, members of Whaikaha’s executive leadership team, including Ben O’Meara, Tofa Gush and Dr Alfredo Adams, engaged with the Faiva Ora group with the goal of open dialogue.
Senior Manager for Public Health and Disability at Le Va, Ben Tameifuna, welcomed the guests with the Tongan saying “Fofola e fala kae talanoa e kāinga”, or rolling out the metaphorical mat for dialogue with kin and declaring a safe space for talanoa (talk).
Le Va works alongside community groups to reduce negative stigma and promote inclusion and acceptance by developing positive narratives about disability. The Faiva Ora leadership group plays a role in advancing and championing Pasifika disability issues by having their views represented at the highest levels in New Zealand.
Whaikaha was set up in partnership with the community, providing leadership on issues affecting disabled people with the goal of transforming the disability system in Aotearoa.
Attendees at what was the first of many talanoa sessions expressed excitement for what the future holds as all three groups look forward to the development of a new Pacific National Disability Action Plan over the coming months.
International Day of Persons with a Disability (IDPD) was on December 3 and the theme this year is “Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era”, celebrating the challenges, barriers and opportunities for people who live with disabilities, in the context of a global pandemic.
At Le Va, the Faiva Ora Community Innovation Fund was established to support community-based initiatives that enable Pasifika people with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, resources and support that ensure they lead fulfilling lives. We chose to celebrate IDPD this year by announcing six successful initiatives over Zoom. Watch the video to catch our announcement and their reaction.
Congratulations to the following successful applicants:
– Daniel Te’o, Elizabeth Tohu – Taikura Trust
– Dr Taima Fagaloa – Cycle Safe Porirua Trust
– Leoo TJ Taotua – Macmaya Consulting Limited
– Tara Aumalesulu and Sarah Aumalesulu
– Vea Mafile’o – Malosi Pictures
Follow us on Facebook @LeVaPasifika to stay informed on the progress of each project. Sneak a preview of the innovative initiatives here: Innovation Fund – Le Va
Imagine a world where Pasifika people with disabilities have access to all the services they need. A world without language or cultural barriers, and where Pasifika people with disabilities can live the life they want the way they want. Le Va is working with disability support services, communities, and others to develop such a world, right here in Aotearoa.
A disability workforce with capability, cultural competency and capacity is required to effectively engage with Pasifika communities and deliver effective disability support services that are responsive to their cultural needs.
The Engaging Pasifika cultural competency programme has been in high demand for our disability workforce, with the most disability workers ever undertaking the programme in the past 12 months compared to previous years. In total 213 disability health workers completed the Engaging Pasifika programme from over 30 organisations.
In addition, many other disability workers attended both open face to face Engaging Pasifika workshops and EP live online webinars.
Since 2013, more than 1580 disability health workers completed Engaging Pasifika Cultural Competency programme.
100% of disability participants rated the Engaging Pasifika programme as an excellent programme overall!
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