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O le ala i le pule, o le tautua – The pathway to leadership is through service.
A wealth of experience
Le Tautua has been running since 2008, with more than 100 Pasifika health and disability workers successfully completing the programme. Over this time, we have had the opportunity to analyse, research, refresh, scrutinise, evolve and draw upon world leading theory and methods in leadership development.
Contemporary leadership with Pasifika cultural reference points is not a tidy toolkit or theory – Le Tautua reflects how leading in this complex area requires practical application of real-world experience.
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.”
Le Tautua 2025
Applications for Le Tautua 2025 are now open.
The 2025 programme will target emerging Pacific leaders with 1–3 years of leadership experience, or those looking to move into leadership soon. It is designed for those working in mental health, addiction and public health settings.
Le Tautua transforms knowledge into impact and generates exceptional outcomes for participants across a broad range of workplace and community environments.
Participants will experience a transformative leadership journey with a focus on the contemporary execution of traditional values in practice – in clinical, cultural, and community contexts. This is strengthened by connecting with an established Le Tautua alumni group and complemented with opportunities for coaching, mentoring and further upskilling to provide tools and techniques to become more effective changemakers and leaders.
Who is it for?
Our theme for Le Tautua 2025 is ‘Navigating the Vā: Leading with Courage, Culture and Connection’.
We welcome expressions of interest from Pasifika emerging leaders working in the mental health, addiction and public health sectors.
Le Tautua 2025 is for leaders who are based in Aotearoa New Zealand and motivated to move to the next level in their career pathway and personal leadership journey. With curiosity to discover how cultural intelligence can be harnessed, potential candidates will come with an open mind to be supported in a journey of self-discovery and stretched outside their comfort zone.
If you’re unsure about eligibility, please email us at mha@leva.co.nz
How do I apply for Le Tautua?
To join Le Tautua 2025, complete and submit an application by 5pm Friday 22 August.
Please click the ‘Apply now’ button below, then register and create a login to our application platform.
Please also attach the following documents:
- An up-to-date CV
- A referee letter from your employer supporting your application
- Briefly outline your reasons for applying to Le Tautua (max. 150 words)
Knowledge
- Deeper understanding of Pasifika leadership concepts, such as leading through service (tautua), collective responsibility and maintaining sacred relational space (vā).
- Increased knowledge of cultural intelligence and how it strengthens leadership in diverse teams and community settings.
- Understanding of how colonisation, migration and systemic inequities have shaped leadership experiences for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa.
- Exposure to Pacific models of wellbeing and their relevance to leadership and public health systems.
- Knowledge of how to integrate Western clinical leadership models with cultural frameworks in mental health, addiction and public health settings.
Skills
- Strengthened ability to apply personal and cultural strengths in leadership, including storytelling, consensus building and relational leadership.
- Enhanced ability to apply Pasifika values to leadership practice, such as fa‘aaloalo (respect), alofa (love/compassion) and lotu (spiritual grounding).
- Increased skill in navigating and managing the vā (relational space) across diverse workplace and community contexts.
- Ability to lead and participate in culturally safe talanoa, including facilitation, conflict resolution and community engagement.
- Development of practical skills in team building, mentoring and coaching emerging Pasifika leaders.
- Strengthened capability in policy, planning and service delivery that reflects both clinical excellence and cultural relevance.
Confidence
- Strengthened leadership identity, grounded in both lived experience and cultural values.
- Greater confidence to influence decision-making within services, agencies and community contexts.
- Empowerment to lead change in complex systems, including within DHBs, NGOs, schools, churches or iwi/Pacific organisations.
- Increased belief in one’s ability to bridge worlds, leading authentically as Pasifika within predominantly Western institutions.
- Ability to speak confidently and advocate for community needs, equity and culturally appropriate services.
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.
