In response to key mental health and addiction workforce development needs, Le Va has created Healing Centred Care for Pasifika – a new training designed to equip workers with knowledge and skills in trauma-informed practice, tailored specifically for Pasifika communities.
Le Va successfully delivered the first four training sessions in November and December 2024, with workforce members expressing deep appreciation for the opportunity to upskill in this essential area.
Nicholas Cao, clinical lead for mental health and addiction at Le Va, highlighted the significance of this initiative: “Our Healing Centred Care training integrates well-known evidence-based practice with cultural knowledge and practices that Pasifika have known for generations. Le Va has been at the forefront of this blending and integration since its inception.
“This work is supporting the Pasifika workforce to do what they already do well, and to upskill in priority areas that will benefit both workforce and community.”
Healing Centred Care for Pasifika was developed on the back of workforce development scoping with Pasifika Access & Choice staff across Aotearoa.
This identified that one of the biggest training needs for those working in Pasifika Primary Mental Health and Addiction roles was learning about trauma-informed practice and what this looks like for Pacific people.
Healing Centred Care for Pasifika training group at Le Va’s office in Manukau.
Dr Elizabeth Mati, general manager at Le Va and a clinical psychologist, highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of how Pasifika communities experience and respond to harmful experiences.
“The term ‘trauma’ is a Western concept and often deficit-based,” she said. “While it’s important to acknowledge harm, we must also focus on supporting our people to reach their full potential. There isn’t yet a widely accepted model that truly reflects Pasifika realities and what ‘trauma’ means for us.
“Through talanoa in these trainings, we are exploring and building a shared understanding within the professional community – one that guides how we support healing in a way that aligns with our cultural values and lived experiences.”
Since 2022, Le Va has been dedicated to supporting the Pasifika Access & Choice workforce, ensuring staff are well-equipped to serve their communities. This latest initiative reinforces that commitment, building on the strengths of the workforce while introducing key skills in healing-centred engagement.
As a newly developed foundational level training for people who work with Pasifika who have experienced adversity and ‘trauma’, there has been a wealth of interest from workforce and community about Healing Centred Care for Pasifika.
Feedback from participants highlighted two major takeaways:
- A deeper understanding of adversity in families, environments, and different types of trauma from a Pasifika perspective.
- Greater awareness of what healing-centred engagement looks like in practice for Pasifika communities.
With strong demand for these trainings, Healing Centred Care for Pasifika is set to continue making an impact in 2025.
To learn more about Healing Centred Care for Pasifika and other workforce development opportunities with Le Va, please visit: Workshops & training.
To find out more about wellbeing support for you and your family, visit the Access & Choice website and click on ‘Pacific-led’ to find out more about Pacific Access & Choice services across Aotearoa.
“I knew it took a village to raise me, but now I will carry that village with me everywhere I go.”
More than 300 Pasifika student leaders came together in January to connect, share ideas and prepare for the incredible 50th anniversary of ASB Polyfest.
As sponsor of the 2025 Polyfest Leaders Conference, Le Va was proud to invest in the future of our emerging Pacific leaders as they got ready to shine at the world’s biggest Pacific festival.
Day one of the two-day conference began with an unforgettable sense of mana and connection. It was a humbling reminder of the richness of our Pacific cultures and the strength we draw from our collective identity.
Jim Stretton, senior project coordinator at Le Va, said of the event, “The Polyfest Leaders Conference was truly something special. For me, it meant so much to be part of something that uplifts and empowers the next generation. Seeing so many of our future Pacific leaders together in one space was incredibly powerful.”
Jim added, “I was fortunate to lead our I AM workshop, and it was evident how much it resonated with the students. Strengthening our culture strengthens our self worth, and this message fits beautifully with the enduring legacy of Polyfest.”
By embracing our cultural roots, we honour the treasures of our ancestors and shape a stronger future for generations to come – an approach that aligns well with this year’s Polyfest theme of ‘Legacy – a treasure handed down. He oha nō tua, he taonga tuku iho!’
Our Le Va team was deeply inspired by the energy and passion each student brought to the workshop, and honoured to stand alongside these emerging Pasifika leaders as they pave the way for the future.
One student said, “I knew it took a village to raise me, but now I will carry that village with me everywhere I go.”
That sentiment summed up the entire experience – helping these young leaders realise that when they perform, excel in school, and embrace their culture, they’re not just building their own legacy but also honouring their ancestors.
Celebrating the achievements of the first ever cohort for Le Va’s Addiction and Problem Gambling Harm Scholarship was a highlight for our Mental Health and Addiction team in November.
2024 was the first year of Le Va administering the new scholarship, which is funded by Te Whatu Ora with the intention of growing the capacity and capability of the workforce.
Students from all backgrounds were part of that inaugural cohort, all dedicated to working and studying with the goal of reducing harms to our communities from alcohol and other drugs, and from problem gambling.
Gratitude in abundance
Many of the scholarship recipients expressed their gratitude to Le Va and Te Whatu Ora for providing the scholarship opportunity, with several sharing that they would not have studied in 2024 without it.
Toleafoa Mark Esekielu, Le Va’s senior manager – mental health and addiction, said of the celebration and workshop, “It was heartwarming and humbling to hear the life stories and motivations of our 2024 Addiction and Problem Gambling Harm Scholarship recipients.
“Their drive to serve our communities from Invercargill to the Far North was apparent throughout the day and even more so in their final remarks. The humility each recipient showed and their gratitude for receiving support speaks volumes about them as people.
“When we hear the sentiments of our recipients feeling connected in the sector, feeling less isolated as addiction and problem gambling workers, and feeling motivated to carry on their study and mahi, it makes it all our efforts worthwhile.”
Many thanks go to Helen Schmidt-Sopoaga – Clinical Team Leader for CADS South Auckland and DRUA co-chair, Maikali Kilioni – Industry Engagement Lead (Pacific) at Toitū Te Waiora, and Ivan Yeo – Deputy Director and Lived Experience Lead at Asian Family Services, for sharing their experience and expertise in a career panel during the workshop.
Applications opening soon
The next round of applications for this scholarship, and for Le Va’s Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship, will open soon on Monday 2 December.
Both scholarships offer much more than just financial support, with mentoring, pastoral care, career advice and the chance to connect with peers in the sector available to all our successful students.
We encourage everyone planning to study in the areas of mental health, addiction or problem gambling in 2025 to check out our scholarships and eligibility criteria and send in an application. Our communities need you!
Explore Le Va’s scholarship opportunities.
In early November, Le Va welcomed a delegation of mental health and addiction sector leaders representing government, health and NGO services from Fiji.
The delegates, who were part of a study tour sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and hosted by the Salvation Army New Zealand, were keen to learn about Le Va’s successful Pacific health workforce development programmes, particularly in the addiction sector.
Fiji is currently facing a drug use crisis with widespread methamphetamine addiction, especially among their young people, and an associated rise in drug-related mental health problems.
Like many Pacific nations, Fiji is also experiencing similar challenges in health and social issues. The Fijian government is seeking solutions and taking measures to tackle the surge in drug use, which is a problem affecting the wider Pacific and also Aotearoa.
Alongside sharing information about Le Va’s mental health and addiction initiatives, the Le Va leadership team presented on its innovative suicide and violence prevention programmes, such as LifeKeepers and Atu-Mai.
Many connections were made at the meeting, which was a rich opportunity for talanoa and the exchange of ideas and possibilities.
Le Va’s senior manager for mental health and addiction, Toleafoa Mark Esekielu, said of the visit,
“Vinaka vaka levu to our Fijian colleagues for taking the time to join us at Le Va. It was rewarding to connect with high-level government and health sector leaders from Fiji to share ideas and make plans to collaborate in the near future.
“We are grateful to our friends at the Salvation Army New Zealand for reaching out to Le Va, and to MFAT for sponsoring the study tour. We all left the meeting filled with knowledge, inspiration and alofa.”
Le Va acknowledges the importance of trans-Pacific collaboration for the mental health and addiction sector, so all nations across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa can support each other and our people to achieve improved outcomes.
Explore Le Va’s addiction workforce resources.
Le Va is proud to announce the launch of Tu Tonu: Cultural Case Formulation – an innovative new full-day training designed to support health professionals in crafting culturally responsive formulations of mental health and addiction challenges.
About Tu Tonu
The Tu Tonu cultural case formulation tool provides a holistic explanation of the journey for tagata ola, illustrating how mental health and addiction challenges develop and are maintained, while also considering a person’s cultural experiences, strengths and their aspirations.
Tu Tonu enhances the knowledge and skills of health professionals to develop cultural case formulations, nourishing the va between tagata ola and practitioners and increasing their ability to practice safely and effectively.
Le Va held the first Tu Tonu training sessions in October in Manukau, Auckland and in Naenae, Lower Hutt.
One attendee said, “It was so good to have this new Tu Tonu tool. I’ve already used almost everything I got from the training. It was so useful, applicable and it has helped me to work in a strengths-based approach.”
What’s in a name?
‘Mo yaga ka Vinaka vakaniu, e sega ni dua na tikina e biu – Be as useful as the coconut tree, no part of it is wasted.’ – Fijian proverb
The coconut tree is known as the tree of life across the Pacific. It is culturally treasured, sustainable, has many uses and it embodies the resilience of Pasifika people.
The name ‘Tu Tonu’ – a pan-Pacific phrase meaning ‘stand true’ – can translate to reaching potential, growing tall, maintaining strength and, like the resilient coconut tree, standing tall in the face of stormy and severe weather that we sometimes face in life.
“The use of the coconut tree as a tool and model is great, and also the integration of clinical and cultural factors is exciting,” said a Tu Tonu attendee.
Another attendee enjoyed, “Being able to learn another cultural framework to utilise with tagata ola. Engaging with other participants – sharing ideas, insights about cultural case formulation. Trainers are knowledgeable, skilled and have a fun and relaxed way of engaging with the class. Love the Tu Tonu model and looking forward to using it in practice.”
Learn more about our Tu Tonu: Cultural Case Formulation training or email pasifikaprimarymha@leva.co.nz for more information.
Le Va celebrated the achievements of 163 Pasifika mental health and addiction students this week, with 98 receiving their Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship awards in person in Manukau on 9 October.
Maria English, CEO of ImpactLab, addressed the students in her keynote speech, saying,
“When I look around this room, my eyes light up. When I see the people coming across the stage, I think about the hundreds, if not thousands, of people whose lives each of you scholars will positively impact.”
Pacific people in Aotearoa New Zealand have higher rates of mental illness and substance abuse than the general population, with lower rates of access to services and poorer health outcomes overall.
Le Va’s Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship, funded by Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, aims to reverse this trend by supporting the development of the Pasifika mental health and addiction workforce.
The Futures that Work programme offers more than just financial support – students receive mentoring, cultural and pastoral care, and help with identifying career pathways in the sector.
Le Va chief executive, Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, said to the students, “There is still much work to be done to address the disparities in mental health and addiction services for Pasifika. But with each of you here today, I am filled with hope.”
‘Tutū maiea marangai, whakatere ana Poupaka – When the easterly wind rises, Poupaka goes sailing’ was the theme for the National Addiction Leadership Day held on 31 July in Māngere, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Hosted by the National Committee for Addiction Treatment in partnership with Te Pou, the event was attended by Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health, who gave the opening address.
Le Va’s senior manager – mental health and addiction, Toleafoa Mark Esekielu, said of the event, “It was great to connect and reconnect with such passionate addiction rangatira and kaimahi.
“Wonderful to hear about all the vast work that is happening across the sector and to share the part Le Va is contributing with our inaugural addiction scholarship programme, funded by Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora.”
Toleafoa presented on Le Va’s work in the sector and our new Addiction and Problem Gambling Harm Scholarship.
Intended to increase the capacity and capability of the workforce, the scholarship is available to those studying towards a qualification that contributes to reducing harms from alcohol and other drugs.
The first cohort of 44 students got underway in 2024, receiving tailored support in the form of financial assistance, cultural support, mentoring and career planning.
Find out more about Le Va’s mental health and addiction scholarships, supporting the development of the mental health and addiction workforce in Aotearoa.
https://www.leva.co.nz/scholarships-funding/
‘Voyage of hope: Charting a course for Pasifika addiction recovery’ was the aspirational theme for Le Va’s Le Tautua Pasifika Leadership 2024 programme, held in Māngere over two days in July.
Twenty-four successful applicants, all working in or adjacent to the addiction sector, took part in the event, which is designed to support Pasifika mental health and addiction leaders to enhance their leadership skills and cultivate their unique cultural perspectives.
A previous participant said of Le Tautua, “What was very good was the space to discuss and drive towards integration of Pasifika concepts into our leadership, with the freedom to explore meanings in the group setting – words and actions are powerful.”
Le Tautua’s speakers and panellists inspired our Pasifika leaders with hope, resilience and determination, helping them to envision a future where addiction-related harms are minimised and individuals can thrive.
Mark Esekielu, Le Va’s senior manager – mental health and addiction said, “There’s a Samoan proverb – ‘E afua mai mauga lelei o nu’u’ that translates to ‘From the mountain flows the blessings for the village’ or in other words, from good leadership flows blessings and wellbeing for families and communities.
“After two days of hearing from established leaders and seeing the calibre of our emerging leaders, I feel comfort for the present and hope for the future of the mental health and addiction sector in Aotearoa.”
This year Le Va also launched a new Addiction and Problem Gambling Harm Scholarship, aimed at increasing the capacity and skills of the workforce to reduce harm in those areas.
Alongside Le Tautua and our Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship, these initiatives are all intended to support the mental health and addiction workforce to grow, in order to achieve better health outcomes for everyone in Aotearoa.
It is fair to say that in Aotearoa New Zealand we are currently dealing with significant changes to our mental health and addiction services.
The Transforming Mental Health Conference, held in Auckland on 22 and 23 July, sought to address some of the larger questions and challenges this brings.
Le Va’s chief executive and general manager, who are also both clinical psychologists, presented at the conference, turning a Pasifika lens upon the issues facing the mental health and addiction sector.
Chief executive, Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, gave a presentation at the conference on ‘Suicide prevention strategies: Saving lives together’, where she explored a range of global suicide prevention strategies and highlighted the outstanding results we have seen from our internationally renowned LifeKeepers programme.
Delving into the evidence-based suicide prevention strategies that form the basis of her doctoral research, Denise spoke about empowering communities, professionals and individuals to work collaboratively, and how we can learn from each other.
“It has been heartening to hear learn of so many innovative strategies to ensuring our mental health services are accessible and meet the needs of all New Zealanders. Collaboration across the sector and sharing our expertise sets us on a path to achieving an effective and inclusive mental healthcare system in Aotearoa.”
Dr Elizabeth Mati and Ross Phillips, Pathways Business Manager
Dr Elizabeth Mati, Le Va’s general manager, was part of a panel discussion on the importance of sustainable funding for the development of the mental health workforce.
With the topic of ‘Understaffed & overwhelmed: Strategies for the mental health workforce’, the panel led a heartfelt and passionate conversation about exploring innovative approaches to managing workload, preventing burnout and improving wellbeing.
Taking part in and contributing to events such as the Transforming Mental Health Conference reflects Le Va’s important work in supporting the development of the Pasifika mental health and addiction workforce in Aotearoa.
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Learn more about Le Va’s Mental Health and Addiction portfolio of work.
In attendance are representatives from the Pacific Behavioral Health Collaborating Council (PBHCC), which is a partnership between six US affiliated Pacific Island jurisdictions – the Republic of Palau, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, American Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia.
PBHCC’s vision is: ‘Pacific Island communities, families and individuals who are substance abuse free and have access to optimal mental health care.’
Their visit to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is co-hosted by Le Va, the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) and Te Pou to connect Pasifika leaders in the fields of mental health, addiction and disability.
Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, Chief Executive of Le Va, said of the event, “Last year Le Va and GLE signed a memorandum of understanding with the intention of growing an international network of strong leadership to support the wellbeing of our communities in Aotearoa.
“This international exchange is the first tangible outcome arising from our partnership, which we hope will lead to improved wellbeing outcomes for all of our Pacific peoples.”
The week-long event began with a traditional Tongan kava ceremony to welcome the international guests from PBHCC, who included Reyna Saures (Vice President), Dr Theresa Arriola (Director), and James Arriola (Executive Director).
Acting US Consulate General Alexia Branch and Mara Hosoda Su’a (US Pacific Regional Engagement Specialist, US Consulate General Auckland) joined the welcome, alongside representatives from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, and Manatū Hauora – Ministry of Health.
Discussions and presentations followed on international collaboration and implementation strategies to enhance mental health and addiction services globally.
Future collaboration between the organisations present will connect leaders in these sectors to help find solutions for our communities in Aotearoa, the Pacific and around the world.
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