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O le ala i le pule, o le tautua – The pathway to leadership is through service.
Le Tautua 2026
Applications for Le Tautua 2026 are now open!
Please visit our Apply for Le Tautua page for more information and to submit an Expression of Interest.
Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest for Le Tautua 2026 open on Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 7 August 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified by 13 August 2026.
Le Tautua 2026 will be held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October 2026.
We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of Evolving Leaders as they continue their leadership journey through Le Tautua.
Evolving leaders
Le Tautua is Le Va’s flagship Pacific leadership development programme, designed to strengthen the capability, confidence and influence of Pacific professionals working across the mental health, addiction, public health, disability and wider health sectors.
Grounded in Pacific values and leadership principles, Le Tautua provides a transformative leadership journey that supports participants to deepen their leadership practice while remaining connected to their culture, communities and purpose. Through talanoa, experiential learning, coaching, mentoring and practical application, participants strengthen their ability to lead authentically and create meaningful change within their organisations and communities.
The 2026 programme is designed for Pacific professionals with approximately 2–5 years of experience in a formal leadership role, including leading a team or people, who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. Participants will join a growing Le Tautua alumni network, creating ongoing opportunities for collaboration, mentoring and continued leadership development.
Who is it for?
Our theme for Le Tautua 2026 is ‘Strengthening the Vā: Leading with Purpose. Serving with Integrity.’
We welcome expressions of interest from Pacific professionals working across the mental health, addiction, public health, disability and wider health sectors who have approximately 2–5 years of experience in a formal leadership role, including leading a team or people, and are ready to further develop their leadership capability.
This programme is designed for professionals who are already making meaningful contributions within their workplaces and communities and are seeking to strengthen their leadership practice, broaden their influence, and grow their impact.
Successful applicants will be curious, reflective and committed to continuous learning. They will value collaboration, embrace Pacific ways of leading, and be motivated to strengthen workforce capability and improve outcomes for Pacific peoples.
Le Tautua 2026 is fully funded for successful participants. This includes travel, accommodation, meals, programme materials and other reasonable programme-related expenses.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility or have any questions, please contact senior project coordinator John Crouch at John.Crouch@leva.co.nz.
A legacy of Pacific leadership
Since 2008, Le Tautua has invested in the development of Pacific leaders across Aotearoa, with more than 100 Pacific health and disability professionals successfully completing the programme.
Across nearly two decades, Le Tautua has continually evolved by drawing on Pacific knowledge systems, contemporary leadership theory, participant feedback, and the lived experiences of its alumni. The programme reflects the realities of leading within complex health and community environments, where cultural identity, service, relationships and practical leadership are essential to creating positive change.
Today, Le Tautua continues to develop Pacific leaders who influence practice, strengthen organisations, grow workforce capability, and improve outcomes for Pacific communities.
Past participants are our testimony:
“A mind-blowing experience. I felt like I crawled in a little cat, and I’m going to walk out like a lion. In my organisation, I follow. I’m going to be more courageous now.”
“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.”
“The safety of the programme stood out. That is, being able to express myself freely without any judgement or criticism. Also, being away from the distractions of work and taking time out to reflect.”
Why Le Tautua?
Pacific leadership is essential to achieving better outcomes for Pacific communities.
Le Tautua invests in Pacific professionals who are ready to grow their influence and contribute to stronger organisations, healthier communities, and a more equitable future. By bringing emerging leaders together from across Aotearoa, the programme creates opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and enduring relationships that extend well beyond the programme itself.
Leadership is strengthened when it is grounded in culture, guided by purpose, and lived through service.
Knowledge
- Increased understanding of Pacific leadership within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand and its role in influencing positive outcomes for Pacific communities.
- Increased knowledge of cultural intelligence and culturally responsive leadership practices across diverse teams, organisations and communities.
- Increased understanding of systems leadership and the role Pacific leaders play in influencing organisational and sector-wide change.
Skills
- Increased capability to lead effective coaching, mentoring and developmental conversations that support the growth of others.
- Increased ability to apply Pacific values and cultural intelligence to leadership practice, decision-making and relationship building.
- Increased confidence in leading collaboration, influencing change and navigating complexity within health and community settings.
Confidence
- Increased confidence in recognising and applying individual leadership strengths to lead with authenticity, purpose and cultural integrity.
- Increased confidence to influence beyond formal leadership roles and contribute to workforce capability, organisational development and improved outcomes for Pacific communities.
- Increased confidence to continue evolving as a Pacific leader through reflection, continuous learning and service to others.
Le Tautua Youth 2022
2022 marked 14 years of Le Va’s Le Tautua leadership programme and the first year Le Tautua focused exclusively on youth leadership and growing emerging youth leaders.
Le Va was honoured to host 26 youth leaders working in youth mental health and addictions, youth work disability, public health, peer support and Pasifika wellbeing from across New Zealand. The programme included a blend of inspirational speakers, panel discussions, interactive workshops, networking, culture, self-discovery, and connections.
To learn more about the 2022 programme, watch the video below.
