Honouring our matua, strengthening the future: Le Va celebrates the launch of the renewed Matua Collective

The vision of the Matua Collective as a trusted source of Pacific cultural wisdom, supervision, mentoring and leadership support is exactly what our workforce needs.”
Sisilia Tuna Kaimanu Tiseli, Pacific Cultural Advisor – Kari Centre ICAMHS

Le Va, alongside Te Whatu Ora, supported the launch of the renewed Matua Collective at the end of June, recognising the importance of strengthening Pacific-led leadership and cultural wisdom to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific peoples.

The launch event brought together sector partners, community leaders, health providers, churches and Pacific champions around a shared vision for stronger, thriving Pacific communities.

It was an inspiring day – a time to reconnect, strengthen relationships and recognise that lasting change begins with trust, grows through solesolevaki (working together for the collective good), and is shaped by mahani hakohako (integrity) at every step.

But most of all, it was an opportunity to honour the matua – the elders and leaders whose decades of tautua (service), leadership and advocacy paved the way for everyone in the room.

The event opened with a meaningful kava ceremony, led by Matua Collective Vice-Chair, Qoriniasi Tuifagalele. It continued with an overview from the Collective’s Chair, Rouruina Emil’e-Brown and keynote speeches from Pauline Fuimaono Sanders (National Director Pacific Health, Te Whatu Ora), Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati (CE, Le Va), Natalie Leger (COO, Fonua Ola), and Pakilau Manase Lua (Pasifika Equity Lead, Le Va and Wise Group).

Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati, Le Va CE

Le Va Chief Executive, Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati, said in her keynote speech, “Le Va and the Matua Collective have shared a longstanding relationship built on trust, shared purpose and a commitment to our communities.

“As we look ahead, I hope this Collective continues to grow in influence; I hope more services recognise the value of matua as an essential part of their workforce; and I hope our communities continue to benefit from the wisdom that only our elders can provide.”

The launch also introduced the Matua Collective’s 2025–2030 Strategic Action Plan, grounded in Te Mana Ola | Pacific Health Strategy and built around the Three W Framework – Wellness, Wait Time and Workforce.

Three priorities, one purpose: reflecting what Pacific communities have long been asking for, and holding a shared responsibility to deliver it.

At its heart, the day reaffirmed the value of Pacific-led leadership, where lived experience, cultural wisdom and strategic thinking work together to shape better decisions for Pacific lives.

It was also a reminder that leadership is grounded in alofa (love), expressed through genuine care, service and an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Pacific peoples.

Sisilia Tuna Kaimanu Tiseli, a Pacific Cultural Advisor at Kari Centre ICAMHS who attended the launch summed up her experience: “For perhaps the first time in a long time, I felt a profound sense of belonging. I felt seen. I felt understood.

“Most importantly, I felt reassured that there are leaders who recognise that Pacific cultural leadership is not an addition to healthcare – it is fundamental to how we care well for our people. The vision of the Matua Collective as a trusted source of Pacific cultural wisdom, supervision, mentoring and leadership support is exactly what our workforce needs.”

Le Va gives thanks to everyone whose presence and tautua made the day one of connection and renewed commitment to Pacific communities. The vaka keeps moving, carried by the legacy of our matua, guided by the communities who continue to show us the way forward.

Learn more about the Matua Collective.