Le Afio'aga O Aotearoa

18/06/2026

Men’s Health Week Spotlight | Pacific Village Stewards

To acknowledge Men’s Health Week, we’re shining the spotlight on our Pacific Village Stewards campaign - a community-led initiative using sport, movement, and Pacific identity to strengthen the wellbeing of Pasifika men and youth.

Highlights so far:
✅ 21 Village Stewards recruited and leading by example
✅ Partnerships with Pacific Rugby Players Association and Ōtara Scorpions Rugby League Club
✅ Hundreds of community members engaged through sports activations and Pacific Talanoa events
✅ Su***de prevention and wellbeing training completed, with LifeKeepers training underway
✅ Strong referral pathways established, connecting communities with the support they need

Pacific Village Stewards are trusted athletes, coaches and community leaders who are fostering resilience, belonging, hope and stronger connections across our villages.

Fa’afetai tele lava to Le Va whose support enables us to create safer, stronger futures for our communities. Le Va Pasifika

***dePrevention

14/06/2026

We are proud to be coordinating the Samoa–New Zealand Long-Term Twinning (LTP) Programme and supporting Cohort One of our placement professionals as they strengthen connections, share knowledge, and contribute to reciprocal learning across Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand. A partnership between MoH Samoa and MFATNZ.

During their first month in Samoa, registered nurses Moe Aoelua and Cherry Elisaia have been involved in a wide range of activities across hospital, community and specialist services, including diabetic foot clinics, wound management, triage and acute care, mental health clinics, community outreach at Malua, health education, and mobile clinics. They have worked alongside multidisciplinary teams and local communities, gaining valuable insights into Pacific models of care and the importance of culturally grounded approaches to health. A special highlight was joining Ministry of Health Samoa nurses in the Independence Day march at Mulinuu, recognising the vital contribution of nurses to the health and wellbeing of Samoa.

If you are interested in finding out more about our New Zealand–Samoa placement opportunities for medical, nursing, or allied health professionals, please email [email protected].

19/05/2026

We were proud last week in partnership with government partners Ministry of Health Samoa and MFATNZ through the Office of the NZ High Commissioner of Samoa to complete our first Long Term Placement Twinning Cohort handover ceremony. Two nurses join MoH Samoa for the next 3 months with an Epidemiologist to join shortly. We thank our Technical Advisors from the University of Otago, and Nursing advisors (NZ Based) alongside our Governance Group Members that include Samoa Government Departments. We look forward to sharing more with you all.

11/05/2026

🌿🏉 Proud moments for Le Afio’aga O Aotearoa as we officially launched the Pacific Village Stewards programme through the Le Va Su***de Prevention Community Fund, alongside our amazing partners - Otara Scorpions Rugby League and the Pacific Rugby Players Associations!

We gathered our Village Stewards — athletes, leaders, and community champions — for an induction marking the beginning of a collective commitment to showing up for our people and strengthening wellbeing across our villages. 🤝🏽✨

More than athletes. More than leaders.
Champions for our communities. ❤️

Fa’afetai tele lava to Le Va for supporting this important initiative. Stay tuned for more!

02/04/2026

Rest. Reflect. Reconnect.

That’s the spirit of Easter 🤍

Wishing you and your family a season of peace, renewal, and connection.
Happy Easter from Le Afio’aga o Aotearoa 🌿

01/04/2026

Over the past two weeks, we have had the privilege of working alongside our valued partners at the Samoa Ministry of Health, hosting the Hon. Va’aaoao Alofipo (Minister of Health), Director General June Scanlan, and the wider MoH Samoa delegation here in Aotearoa.

This visit formed part of a scoping review for the Long-Term Placement Twinning Programme, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT NZ). Together, we have been exploring opportunities to strengthen workforce development, clinical capability, and system integration across Samoa and New Zealand through genuine partnership.

Over the coming week, we will be sharing reflections and learnings from a series of partnered visits across the motu — including time spent with providers and leaders in Oamaru, Wellington (Ministerial engagements), and across Auckland and Northland. Our sincere thanks to all our partners who opened their doors and shared their knowledge, including Totara Hospice, Penina Trust, Grace Foundation, South Seas Healthcare Trust, Middlemore Hospital, and Te Whareora o Tikipunga.

Each visit has reinforced the power of collaboration — grounded in culture, service, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for our communities.

Our first set of photos captures the Oamaru visit, hosted in partnership with Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT). A heartfelt thank you to the OPIT team and community for your warmth, generosity, and leadership in showcasing the strength of local, community-led models of care.

More to come.

23/03/2026

09/03/2026

🌟 Fetu O Le Pasifika | ‘Inasi Fund Programme Wrap-Up

Our final gathering for the Fetu O Le Pasifika programme brought our elders together for a special time of reflection, connection, and celebration. Over the past months, elders have come together weekly to share stories, strengthen cultural and spiritual wellbeing, and support one another on their health journeys.

The programme concluded with spiritual reflection, shared talanoa, and a fun Zumba session led by one of our own participants — a fitting reminder that wellbeing is strongest when community leads the way.

Fa’afetai tele lava to everyone who journeyed with us through the ‘Inasi Fund programme. We also acknowledge the support of Le Va and Foundation North whose support through the ‘Inasi Fund made this programme possible 💙

27/02/2026

🌺 Our Fetu O Le Pasifika elders were truly uplifted by a heartfelt message from Mataniu Feagaimaleata Johnson — thank you for sharing encouragement grounded in strength, culture, and love. ❤️

Ata Johnson, your commitment to healthy living — eating well, staying active, valuing family time, following medical advice, and making space for joy and rest — reminds us that caring for our health helps sustain our aiga, culture, and community.

Fa’afetai for reminding our elders they are valued, seen, and supported. ✨ ✨ ✨⛵️

18/02/2026

Le Afio’aga O Aotearoa were honoured to attend the M**h Harm Symposium: Understanding and Responding to M**h Harm at Te Puke O Tara, led by the Resilience to Organised Crime initiative.

A powerful, solutions-focused space highlighting the real impacts of m**h harm in our communities and strengthening collective responses through knowledge sharing, partnership, and community-led action. Grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and continue working together toward safer, healthier futures for our whānau and communities.