If we can prevent a suicide, there will be one less whānau that has to live with that grief for the rest of their lives. If we can prevent a suicide, then we have a thriving community. And if we can prevent a suicide, we continue our whakapapa, we continue the generational opportunities for our people.
– Selah Hart, Executive National Director of Hauora Māori, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Le Va welcomed the recipients of Round Two of the 2026 Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund to Harakeke House in early June, into a space that felt full of purpose and hope.
Funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, the initiative supports Pasifika communities to develop their own suicide prevention solutions from the ground up, using approaches that are culturally grounded, locally led, and built on the deep knowledge of the people they serve.
The fund reflects a strong national footprint, with initiatives spanning Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson/Tasman, Christchurch, Southland, and nationwide delivery. Fifteen organisations, each bringing their own strengths and approaches, united by the same purpose – to prevent suicide.
The morning opened with prayer from Pastor Tanya Lameta and an expressive gift of siva (dance) from Charlene Tedrow of Ura Tabu, a reminder that this was a Pacific space, held in Pacific ways.
Leilani Fina’i Clarke, senior manager at Le Va, greeted recipients who had travelled from across the motu, alongside funders, partners and community leaders. She was clear about what the day represented:
“Today marks more than the beginning of a funding contract. It marks the beginning of new relationships, new opportunities, and community-led action that will strengthen the wellbeing of Pacific families and communities across Aotearoa.”
Selah Hart, Executive National Director of Hauora Māori at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, delivered the opening address, grounding the mahi in a shared commitment to Pacific lives and futures.
Johnnie Timu from Brown Pride, a fund recipient, spoke to what that investment means in practice. His words were a reminder that behind every funded initiative is a community that already cares and is now better equipped to act.
These are organisations working across Aotearoa in churches, community centres and youth spaces – doing the quiet, consistent work that keeps people connected and supported.
As Leilani said, “Receiving funding through this process is no small achievement. We received an overwhelming number of applications from passionate groups committed to making a difference in their communities.”
Le Va acknowledges and celebrates the collective strengths, knowledge and leadership that already exist within our communities. We look forward to witnessing the important contribution these initiatives will make to Pacific wellbeing and suicide prevention across Aotearoa.
Congratulations to our 2026 Round Two recipients:
| Fund recipient | Community initiative |
| Tongan Health Society Incorporated – Langimalie Integrated Family Health Centre | Kete Mo‘ui – Talavou & Tangata: Pasifika Suicide Prevention and Postvention Readiness through Churches and Schools |
| WOWbeing Limited | Mind Your SELF |
| Pacific Island Advisory Charitable Trust | PIACT Suicide Prevention |
| South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services Trust | Tama Mango Youth Resilience Project |
| Congregational Christian Church Samoa Trust EFKS Western Springs | A malu i fale, e malu i fafo |
| Pacific Islanders’ Community Trust – Gisborne | Pacific Islanders’ Community Trust – Gisborne |
| Taulanga U Charitable Trust | Mo’ui Kakato Tangata moe To’utupu Resilience Programme |
| Autism Kids Collective | Autism Family Wellbeing & Early Suicide Prevention Programme |
| Pasifika Digital Knowledge Trust | Ko Tou Malosi, Ko Tou Maumea E Sili te Puipui i lo te Fakatogafiti |
| The Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Haahi Weteriana o Aotearoa. Hastings Samoan Parish | Wesley Methodist Parish – Mafutaga Puletua |
| Tangata Atumotu Trust | Mālie Programme |
| Here Today Ltd | Tāne Run Club |
| Exalt Catholic Samoan Otahuhu Youth | Exalt Catholic Otahuhu Samoan Youth Suicide Prevention Programme |
| Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church | Lalaga le fala |
| Fa’alapotopotoga Tagata Samoa Nelson Tasman | Taofi Sauaga i ‘Āiga – Protecting Families |
Learn more about our Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund.
One of the key messages of Le Va’s LifeKeepers suicide prevention training is that supporting others begins with looking after ourselves. For certified LifeKeeper Tai Tupou, that idea is something he makes a conscious effort to practice every day.
Through his work as Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor at BCITO, supporting organisations to build healthier and more resilient teams, Tai understands the importance of wellbeing. He regularly encourages others to develop practical strategies that help them manage stress, stay connected and seek support when needed, and he knows those same principles need to be applied personally as well. “For me, it’s about keeping my toolbox full,” says Tai.
Tai’s approach to wellbeing is grounded in simple, consistent habits. Most mornings start at the gym, helping him begin the day feeling focused and energised. In the evenings, he makes time for reading and prayer, creating space to reflect, reset and reconnect with what matters most.
While these routines may seem simple, they reflect an important principle reinforced through LifeKeepers suicide prevention training: wellbeing is not something we only think about during difficult times. It’s something we actively nurture through everyday actions and habits.
Tai also sees learning as an important part of maintaining wellbeing and supporting others. Having completed LifeKeepers training, he continues to build his knowledge and skills, recognising that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility and that there is always more to learn.
LifeKeepers training equips people with the confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, to have safe and supportive conversations, and to connect people to appropriate help. While the training provides practical tools, its impact often extends beyond the training itself, encouraging participants to reflect on their own wellbeing and the role they play in supporting those around them.
For Tai, that reflection has reinforced the importance of practising what we teach.
“In caring professions and high-pressure environments, it can be easy to focus on everyone else,” he says, “but looking after ourselves helps ensure we’re able to be there for others when they need us.”
Tai’s story is a reminder that the principles of LifeKeepers go beyond responding when someone is in crisis. They are about creating everyday habits of care, connection and awareness that strengthen both individual wellbeing and community resilience.
By investing in our own wellbeing, we are better equipped to support our whānau, colleagues, friends and communities. As Tai’s experience shows, keeping our own toolbox full is an important part of helping others.
Learn more about Le Va’s LifeKeepers suicide prevention programme
At a recent LifeKeepers training in Kirikiriroa, Jess Ngahere, Team Lead for Mental Health and Addiction at K’aute Pasifika, brought along her entire team – an intentional move that reflects her commitment to continuous growth and culturally grounded care.
Speaking about the realities facing whānau across the Waikato, Jess highlighted the increasing complexity of need in the region. “We’re seeing the impacts of rising living costs, housing challenges, and intergenerational trauma all at once,” she explained. “Our whānau aren’t just dealing with one issue – these challenges are layered, and they require a more holistic, compassionate response.”
For Jess, investing in her kaimahi through training is essential to meeting these evolving needs. She emphasised that opportunities like LifeKeepers are about building knowledge, and strengthening how her team shows up for the community. “It’s about making sure our people feel confident to have the hard conversations, and that they do so in a way that is culturally safe and grounded in integrity,” she said. “If we want better outcomes for our whānau, we need to keep growing ourselves.”
That commitment is shaping how K’aute Pasifika responds on the ground. Jess shared that her team is now more proactive and community-focused, working closely with taiohi, their whānau, and alongside other services to provide wraparound support. “The needs of our people are changing, so we have to adapt too,” she said. “By staying connected to our purpose and continuing to invest in our kaimahi, we can walk alongside our whānau in a way that truly supports their wellbeing.”
Learn more about Le Va’s LifeKeepers suicide prevention training here: www.lifekeepers.nz
When Le Va chief executive Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati and senior manager Leilani Clarke touched down in Australia this month, they carried something the NRL’s wellbeing teams had been waiting for – a suicide prevention training that considers the needs of Pacific people.
Over two workshops in Sydney and Brisbane, Mati and Leilani delivered Le Va’s Mānava Ola: LifeKeepers for Pacific training to NRL wellbeing managers. These are the staff players turn to when the pressure gets too much, when life on or off the field is feeling hard. They are the people quietly holding some of the most complex conversations in high-performance sport, supporting players, staff and wider club environments.
“Rugby League isn’t just a sport for Pacific communities,” says Mati, “It’s identity, it’s pride, it’s family. That’s what makes it such a powerful space for this kind of work.”
Sydney and Brisbane workshops
Mānava Ola gives participants real, practical suicide prevention skills through a Pacific lens – how to spot warning signs, how to respond with confidence while connecting people to the right support. It also strengthens capability to hold safe conversations in a way that protects dignity, relationships and cultural identity.
In Sydney, participants explored how distress can show up differently across cultures, and how important it is to respond early – before someone reaches crisis point. One participant said, “Love the opportunity for more knowledge around supporting people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings for our wellbeing managers.”
In Brisbane, the talanoa turned to how wellbeing practice can be strengthened within clubs and embedded across the whole system, rather than resting on a small number of individuals. Feedback included, “This is so important and valuable. Really appreciate the space to take us on a journey that was so real.”
All participants engaged deeply with Le Va’s Mānava Ola model of C.A.R.E. and the chance to practise real-world conversations – a key part of building confidence to act when it matters most.
Overall, the sessions received a Net Promoter Score of 94 – indicating a world-class, exceptional training experience.
Strengthening a long-term partnership
The relationship between Le Va and rugby league runs deep, built over many years on shared values and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of Pacific peoples on both sides of the Tasman.
This visit strengthened our partnership, not only through the delivery of training, but through reaffirmed relationships and shared purpose. It also highlighted the clear need for culturally grounded approaches in suicide prevention, particularly for Pacific peoples and communities, where context, identity and connection matter.
Looking ahead
Mati and Leilani returned to Aotearoa encouraged by how the NRL’s wellbeing staff showed up with openness, leadership and a willingness to grow their practice. When the people who support others feel equipped and confident, the ripple effect reaches far beyond the training room.
Le Va remains committed to strengthening suicide prevention capability across Aotearoa and the Pacific diaspora, and to continuing partnerships that help create safer, more connected environments.
If you would like suicide prevention training for your organisation, please contact us at admin@leva.co.nz.
People heal in different ways. This gives them different doors to walk through and opportunities to engage with.”
Johnnie Timu, Brown Pride
On January 22, Le Va hosted a welcome fono for recipients of the 2026 Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund.
The room was filled with anticipation as Leilani Fina’i Clarke, Le Va’s senior manager for suicide prevention – Pacific, took to the podium to give the warmest Pacific greeting to the representatives who came from across the motu.
Funded by Te Whatu Ora, Le Va’s Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund supports communities to create innovative and sustainable solutions to prevent suicide.
The words of Le Va’s chief executive, Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati, carried weight and hope as she acknowledged the community groups stepping up to protect their own.
“This morning is about so much more than a formal welcome. It is a moment of recognition. Recognition of Pacific-led leadership in action. Recognition of the deep cultural knowledge that lives and breathes within our communities. And recognition that when suicide prevention is grounded in our Pacific values it becomes powerful and lifesaving,” she said.
Cliff Thompson from NZRL shared his organisation’s journey of suicide prevention, supported by Le Va. He spoke of creating safe spaces in locker rooms and establishing a network of wellbeing champions throughout Aotearoa to help young athletes navigate into the support they need.
Johnnie Timu from Brown Pride used an analogy from waka ama, his passion for community protection evident in every sentence.
“Waka ama has a cool resemblance to a village mentality – everyone has a role to play, everyone matters, and if one person doesn’t do their job, the waka doesn’t move forward.”
He described the community groups as the pace setters for the suicide prevention fund, Te Whatu Ora as the powerhouse in the centre, and Le Va as the steering and direction.
This wasn’t just a welcome event. It was a promise – that our communities will stand together, that suicide prevention is the responsibility of us all, and that hope can be built one conversation, one connection, one fono at a time.
The next round of Le Va’s Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund is open from 10 February 2026 and will close on 3 March. You can find out more and apply here: Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund
2026 Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund recipients:
- Le Afio’aga O Aotearoa Trust – Pacific Village Stewards
- Brown Pride Charitable Trust – Yeah The Boys / Yeah The Girls
- The South Seas Health Care Trust – South Seas Healthcare Suicide Prevention Fund 2025 Application
- LeVaiOfHope – LeVaiOfHope
- Fua Creative Limited – ‘Pikitai kiho ‘ulungaanga faka fonua – Cling to your culture’
- Please Blow My Mind Limited – Suicide Prevention Starts at Home (S.P.S.H.)
- Love Somebody Charitable Trust – Fight the Good Fight – Suicide Prevention
- Flying Geese Trust – Wayfinding for Life
- Snapback Gym ‘Toe a’e se tofa’ Gym Trust – Faasoa Wellbeing Programme: Strengthening Pasifika Youth and Families
- Nevertheless Trust – Rainbow+ Competency Training
- Wellington Fitness Community Trust – Pasifika Power Project
- Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust – AIGA youth resilience and suicide prevention programme
- New Zealand Rugby League – NZRL Wellbeing Waka & Framework
- Without Limits Learning – Simply L.O.V.E Parenting Programme
- NZ Warriors – ‘Resiliency for Industry’ Wellbeing
- Potplant Studio – Mental Health Plant Workshops
- Tongan Society South Canterbury – Prosperous and Thriving Families
- Moana Vā –Thrive Health and Wellbeing Programme
- Zeal Youth Trust – Aotearoa Lupe – Culture and Identity Programme 2024/25
The latest provisional suicide data released by the Chief Coroner and Te Whatu Ora show that while the overall Aotearoa rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths has not changed significantly, Māori continue to experience the highest suicide rates in Aotearoa, while Pacific peoples experience concerning and inequitable levels of suicide risk compared with other population groups.
For Māori, the rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths has increased slightly, reminding us that inequities persist. Each life lost represents immeasurable mamae for whānau, hapū and iwi across the motu. This ongoing pattern highlights the urgent need to strengthen Māori-led solutions grounded in whakapapa, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.
“These statistics remind us that suicide prevention must continue to be led from within our communities” says Tiana Watkins, Senior Manager Suicide Prevention – LifeKeepers at Le Va.
“To make lasting change, every part of the system – health, education, justice and social service – must work together so that prevention is stitched into the fabric of how we care for our people.”
Le Va’s Mana Akiaki: LifeKeepers for Māori training supports communities to protect and uplift each other through culturally grounded suicide prevention training and resources – led by Māori, for Māori. When our people are equipped to notice distress, connect and respond in mana-enhancing ways, lives are saved.
For Pacific communities, the data show rates that remain steady. Behind these numbers are families, churches and villages who continue to carry deep grief and powerful resilience. Le Va’s FLO: Pasifika for Life and Mānava Ola: LifeKeepers for Pacific trainings strengthen the protective factors within Pacific culture – connection, faith and family – that help keep our communities safe.
In an interview with PMN News, Leilani Clarke, Le Va’s Senior Manager Suicide Prevention – Pacific, highlighted the importance of these educational and awareness programmes which train both the workforce and communities to recognise signs of distress.
“We teu le vā, we nurture our relationships, because connectedness is a key thing for us as Pacific peoples,” she says. “And when we stay connected, we stay protected. There is hope out there, there is support out there … There’s always hope and help.”
‘Wayfinders of the Digital Moana’ is a Pasifika-inspired story written by Iaheto Ah Hi, a New Zealand author and actor of Samoan and Tokelauan descent.
Created to inspire and support members of Le Va’s Mana Restore Discord server, the digital novel is an innovative concept that continues the kaupapa of supporting the mental wellbeing of Pasifika online gamers.
The story follows characters Maui, Celeste and their crew as they confront fractured families, digital bullying, resilience and the mysteries of an online world.
Blending rhythm, technology and ancestral wisdom, the book offers an engaging narrative designed to resonate with young people and support wellbeing through story.
Mana Restore members can take part in this journey – read the daily episodes, participate in upcoming ‘live’ readings, share their reflections in the community, and connect with others on the chat threads.
Every chapter offers a chance to explore new ideas and contribute to the growing Mana Restore community on Discord.
If you are a gamer wanting to find a balance between time online and other activities that boost your wellbeing, join the Mana Restore Discord Server to become part of the movement and access ‘Wayfinders of the Digital Moana’ now.
Thank you sincerely for ensuring people like me are equipped to support others in their time of need. Every life matters, and because of this kaupapa, more lives are being met with compassion, connection, and hope.
LifeKeepers is Le Va’s national suicide prevention training programme, created especially for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand to support those who may be at risk of suicide to get the help they need.
Recently, one of our LifeKeepers participants reached out to share the impact our National Suicide Prevention Training had on their life and work. With their kind permission, we’re honoured to share part of their story.
“I recently completed the LifeKeepers training and found it incredibly well put together, comprehensive, thoughtful, and accessible to many different learning styles. It provided practical tools and resources, along with confronting statistics that reinforced just how vital this work is to preserving life.
“I have been directly affected by suicide. In my role, it’s critical to be equipped not just to support others with empathy and care, but to recognise and respond to signs in our own mental wellbeing, too. This training has strengthened my confidence in both areas.”
Shortly after completing the training, this learner received a heartfelt gesture, a bouquet of flowers and a handwritten card from someone they had recently supported.
“That moment left a strong impression on me, and I wanted to pass that gratitude forward. Thank you sincerely for ensuring people like me are equipped to support others in their time of need. Every life matters, and because of this kaupapa, more lives are being met with compassion, connection, and hope.”
If you would like to experience the LifeKeepers journey for yourself or know someone who could benefit from it, you can learn more on our website: www.lifekeepers.nz
We don’t bring the answers, we bring our hands. Our job is not to lead the work, but to walk with those who already are.” – Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave
Pacific Population Health Summit 2025 | Garapan, Saipan | 16–18 June 2025
Earlier this month, four members of our Le Va team had the profound honour of travelling to Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands to attend and contribute to the inaugural Pacific Population Health Summit, with the theme of ‘Navigating Pathways Through the Pacific: Building Healthier and Stronger Island Communities.’
Sponsored to present, be keynote speakers and deliver suicide prevention training, Le Va’s small but mighty contingent from Aotearoa was privileged to share in talanoa and learning alongside passionate changemakers from across the Blue Continent.
Our team
Representing Le Va were chief executive Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, Pasifika equity lead Pakilau o Aotearoa Manase Lua, and senior managers for suicide prevention Leilani Clarke and Tiana Watkins. Each brought a depth of cultural knowledge, lived experience and professional leadership in suicide prevention and mental wellbeing. The strength of their presence went beyond their knowledge and expertise, manifested in their shared commitment to cultural integrity, aroha and collective uplift.
Keynotes, talanoa and wānanga
Denise and Pakilau opened the event with a powerful plenary session titled ‘Culture and Wellness’, weaving insights into the enduring value of Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, and how they must sit at the centre of any sustainable wellbeing system. Their talanoa echoed throughout the summit, reverberating through sessions on healing, data equity and behavioural health.
Leilani and Tiana participated in the panel session ‘Addressing Suicide Prevention Strategies in the Blue Continent’, where they presented on Le Va’s LifeKeepers and FLO: Pasifika for Life suicide prevention programmes. Their contributions highlighted the critical importance of aligning clinical safety with cultural and community responsiveness. The kōrero was both sobering and inspiring, shedding light on the persistent suicide rates across Pacific nations while uplifting the strength of collective action, cultural reconnection and enduring hope.
Together, Leilani and Tiana brought forward voices grounded in the va – relationships, connection, and sacred space. They reminded us that suicide prevention does not begin within systems alone, but in the everyday spaces that shape our lives: the home, the village, the church, the school. Their kōrero affirmed that lived stories carry the same weight as data, and that community wisdom must sit at the heart of any meaningful response to suicide.
Mana Akiaki: LifeKeepers for Māori
After the summit, more than twenty first responders and crisis response workers gathered with intention and purpose to participate in Mana Akiaki: LifeKeepers for Māori training. Our team delivered this full-day training to showcase how suicide prevention can be meaningfully grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and relational practice. Their hope was to witness firsthand how a culturally tailored programme could look and feel, so they might explore how to do the same for the rich diversity of their own island communities across the Pacific.
The wairua in the room was deeply felt and participants honoured the kaupapa with humility and fierce dedication, many moved to tears by the cultural integrity of the programme and how closely it resonated with their own Indigenous worldviews. The sharing was raw, real and restorative, reminding us all that cultural identity is not just a foundation for wellbeing, but a powerful pathway to healing.
The ties that bind
This journey reminded us that although our island homes are scattered across vast oceans, our roots run deep and are interwoven. Whether in Saipan, Aotearoa, Samoa, Guam, Tonga, or Hawai‘i, our ancestors speak through us and our shared struggles and strengths call us to act collectively.
Our heartfelt thanks to the CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC), the Pacific Behavioral Health Collaborating Council, and all those who made this summit possible. Si yu’us ma’ase, ghilisow, fa’afetai tele lava, malo ‘aupito, ngā mihi nui.
As Denise said in her closing words, “We don’t bring the answers, we bring our hands. Our job is not to lead the work, but to walk with those who already are.”
Over the past two months, our LifeKeepers journey has taken our team across the motu to Huntly, Manukau, Ōtaki, Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton and Papakura – each visit a reminder of the strength and heart within our communities.
From heartfelt kōrero to moments of deep reflection, our team is grateful to everyone who welcomed them and leaned into the suicide prevention wānanga with openness and courage.
Here is what some participants had to say about our LifeKeepers and Mana Akiaki trainings:
“Faafetai Le Va LifeKeepers for your kaupapa. It has given me knowledge and awareness about a topic that is hurting our family and community.”
“Great workshop, yummy kai, loved that we danced to whakanoa. Followed tikanga practices, karakia, whakawhanaungatanga, manaakitanga.”
“I came in with an outcome I wanted to achieve and I got it. Kei te mihi ki a kōrua mō tō kaupapa.”
“I am feeling confident in responding to critical situations, gained knowledge and skills to deal with emergency situations related to suicide.”
We look forward to continuing this important mahi and strengthening connections within our communities.
Upcoming training opportunities
Our July to December training calendar will be live in the first week of July, keep an eye on lifekeepers.nz for upcoming trainings in your region. We’re especially looking forward to connecting with communities across the South Island in the months ahead!
If you’re unable to attend in person, our free online training offers a flexible alternative you can complete anytime, at your own pace.
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