Healthy Futures Summit: Youth leadership in action

Le Va’s Taryn Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, senior project coordinator for our Public Health and Disability portfolio, has written about her experience as part of the Youth Panel at the 2025 Healthy Futures Summit.

For too long, Pacific people have been viewed through a deficit lens. But the truth is, our communities are rich in solutions, strength and innovation.

“In August, I had the privilege of speaking on the Youth Panel at the Healthy Futures Summit, hosted by Health Coalition Aotearoa. The event brought together passionate advocates, leaders and changemakers from across Aotearoa, all committed to creating a healthier, more equitable future for our communities.

It was an honour to share the stage with my fellow panellists, all of whom are doing incredible and impactful mahi across the sector. During the panel, we each explored current health challenges within Aotearoa, and I spoke on our Pacific communities.

We often hear about Pacific health inequities in Aotearoa, but it’s important to pause and ask why they exist.

Our communities continue to navigate systems that were never designed for us. Colonisation, systemic racism, underinvestment in community-led solutions, and inequities across health, housing, education and income have all contributed to the challenges we see today.

For too long, Pacific people have been viewed through a deficit lens. But the truth is, our communities are rich in solutions, strength and innovation. Despite the barriers, Pacific people consistently report some of the highest rates of family wellbeing in Aotearoa – a powerful reflection of our resilience, connection and collective strength.

As the Samoan proverb reminds us, ‘E fofo e le alamea le alamea’ – the solutions lie within. Our communities hold the knowledge, wisdom and heart to create lasting change.

When asked how to encourage youth leadership, my answer was that we already are leading.

In my role at Le Va, I have the privilege of supporting the Faiva Ora Leadership Group, which is the Chief Pacific Advisory Group to Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People.

I sit alongside leaders whose collective expertise spans more than 300 years. While I may bring only a few of my own, those years have been deeply shaped by their guidance, wisdom and service. Leadership isn’t measured in years – it’s measured in impact and heart to serve.

Fa’afetai tele lava to Health Coalition Aotearoa for creating a space where youth voices and leadership could be celebrated and for allowing me to contribute, even in a small way, to such an impactful day.”