Some of the journey, so far...
Talofa, Kia ora! I am totolua, a person of Samoan and palagi descent and I live in Ōtautahi Christchurch. 1 I am researching the history of our Pacific peoples in Ōtautahi, support the governance of a number of organisations, and elevate peoples voices in decision making particularly around mental health and addictions policy. I'm most proud of being involved in the journey and then writing of "He Ara Oranga" with our Oranga Tāngata, Oranga Whānau panel. 2
Some of the other things I've been part of: My friends and I developed the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Trust aka PYLAT to advocate for Pacific young peoples voices in all worlds.3. With some other advocates we push for the NZ Police to not routinely carry guns. 4. In another area Nina Whittaker and I won a case we took against a racist media broadcast. 5. Recently my friend Benji Timu and I took a petition to Parliament to tautoko the calls from our community for Parliament to have special debate for the 'Dawn Raids' apology, 5 and the review of work we did during COVID to elevate young peoples voices alongside the World Health Organisation and UNICEF was published 6.
Some of the other things I've been part of: My friends and I developed the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Trust aka PYLAT to advocate for Pacific young peoples voices in all worlds.3. With some other advocates we push for the NZ Police to not routinely carry guns. 4. In another area Nina Whittaker and I won a case we took against a racist media broadcast. 5. Recently my friend Benji Timu and I took a petition to Parliament to tautoko the calls from our community for Parliament to have special debate for the 'Dawn Raids' apology, 5 and the review of work we did during COVID to elevate young peoples voices alongside the World Health Organisation and UNICEF was published 6.
Heading Photo - Leading Minds 2019 (C) Mario Llorca