Le Tautua 2025: Nurturing Pasifika leaders across Aotearoa

Published: October 6, 2025

Le Tautua is Le Va’s Pacific leadership programme, designed to grow and equip Pasifika health and disability leaders of today and tomorrow with the tools, knowledge and confidence to lead with courage, connection and care.

Proudly supported by Te Whatu Ora, this programme ensures culturally grounded leadership is at the heart of Aotearoa’s health system.

Across two days in early October, 30 participants from across the motu came together on the west coast of Auckland for a transformative two-day wānanga.

Over the course of the programme, participants shared experiences, strengthened connections and filled their baskets of knowledge.

Many entered feeling unsure but left with confidence and reassurance that they were well on their way to becoming bold, authentic leaders.

Guided by this year’s theme, “Navigating the vā: Leading with courage, connection and care,” participants engaged in workshops that explored their leadership values, personal strengths, cultural identity and collective responsibility.

They built skills in communication and connection, and rediscovered their ability to lead authentically while navigating complex spaces. Most importantly, they left with renewed confidence in their voices, their identity and their power to create meaningful change.

We were privileged to hear from inspirational leaders, including Pauline Fuimaono Sanders and Pakilau Manase Lua, who generously shared their stories of resilience, advocacy and cultural grounding.

Their kōrero left a lasting impact on the cohort, reminding us that leadership is about being brave enough to stand in our difference and lead from a place of service.

Together we laughed, we sang and we shed tears of joy, united in the belief that the future of our Pasifika communities is bright. To our MC Pale Sauni, thank you for holding the space with a full heart.

To our participants, thank you for your courage, your honesty and your leadership. Malo ‘aupito, fa’afetai tele lava, vinaka vakalevu.