On 22 October this year, Aotearoa’s first ever Melanesian Festival was held in Auckland and hailed as a huge success. More than 8,000 visitors enjoyed performances, food, and stalls celebrating the diverse and vibrant cultures of Melanesia.

Rose McFelin is a vibrant and active member of the Cook Island community in Dunedin who is also a talented artist, skilled in screen printing. Paula Suguturaga, Disability Coordinator for our Otago office, recently supported Rose to sell her creations at a Pacific Market Day.

Samoan mother Peiu Muavaa Seve reached out to Vaka Tautua seeking support for her daughter, Pepe Muavaa. Pepe, who is nineteen years old and lives in Favona, was born with Dandy-Walker Syndrome, a congenital condition that affects the development of the brain.

Born in the village of Kolofo’ou in Tonga, Samiu Koniseti migrated to live in Aotearoa as a young man in the 1980s. Having worked hard and raised his family, in recent times Samiu has faced some challenges, being diagnosed with cancer while living in transitional housing.

The Vaka Tautua Wellington team has celebrated a significant milestone in their journey with a relocation to new office premises in the heart of Porirua City at the start of November.

In honour of Tokelau Language Week, Vaka Tautua is celebrating the work of our staff member, Les Atoni, who has done so much to preserve the language and culture of his homeland, Tokelau.

In support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, Vaka Tautua’s Ola Fiafia Mental Health teams in the Auckland and Wellington regions held fun activities throughout the week to engage their local communities and promote mental wellbeing for Pacific people.

Vaka Tautua’s Canterbury team has expanded significantly over the past year, going from one Disability Coordinator to a team of four delivering disability, financial capability, and social services, led by Regional Manager for Canterbury and Otago – Toleafoa Malu Tulia.

Malia Masalu is an inspiring young Tongan woman who has overcome many difficulties in life, including living with visual impairment and chronic kidney disease. After her mother sadly passed away several years ago, Malia has lived independently in South Auckland, with carer support from her Aunt.

Robert Sopoaga is a young Samoan man with Down syndrome, living in Christchurch with his parents. An active member of his local community, Robert is also part of the Jolt contemporary dance group. Advice from Vaka Tautua Canterbury helped him gain better access to the activities he loves.

Vaka Tautua, a national ‘by Pacific, for Pacific’ organisation, has revamped its brand identity, launching a new logo and a redesigned website. Under new leadership since May and looking to the future, the time was ripe for the organisation to undergo a brand refresh.

Vaka Tautua is cementing its longstanding and valued partnership with the Tōfā Mamao Collective by embracing ‘Tagata Sa’ilimalo’, their new vision of Pacific disability in Aotearoa. Tagata Sa’ilimalo reflects the hopes of the disability community to imagine better for their future.

Gloria and James Viliamu are a young Samoan couple starting out on their financial journey together, wanting to provide the best future for their baby boy, Nathaniel. Since completing Vaka Tautua’s Tupe Wise programme earlier this year, they have already reached several milestones on the road to financial freedom.

Manoa Tuatai, who turned 80 last month, is one of the treasured Coordinators for Vaka Tautua’s Matua Ola Manuia Day Programme. The programme helps our Pacific matua (older people) stay connected with their communities, and encourages them to lead active, healthy lives.

Vaka Tautua’s frontline staff often go above and beyond to support the Pacific people who use our services. As part of the organisation’s Ola Fiafia mental health services, the Ora’anga team supports people living with mental illness, which sometimes means addressing the underlying issues causing distress.

Vaka Tautua’s Disability Information Advisory Services team in Porirua has been actively engaging with other providers to open up more opportunities for the local Pacific disabled community and explore new pathways for Vaka Tautua’s service users.

Vaka Tautua’s Community Support Services team in West Auckland has developed a new programme supporting the mental and physical health of Pacific peoples through active breath and movement. Group sessions are creating a sense of community and helping build confidence for those living with mental illness.

The lives of a Tongan couple in the Canterbury region have been transformed after receiving support from Vaka Tautua’s services for Pacific people. Tony Wolfgramm has a newfound independence and his wife, Anaseini, is finding her role as caregiver has greatly eased.