Pou Pasifika - Championing Pasifika Youth Development Workers and Practitioners across Aotearoa
Pou Pasifika is a national initiative that celebrates and uplifts Pasifika youth development workers and practitioners across Aotearoa. It represents a collective identity rooted in cultural strength, intergenerational wisdom and a shared commitment to supporting rangatahi by growing and sustaining a thriving Pacific youth development workforce.
Where It All Began
The journey of Pou Pasifika began during the early days of COVID-19, when the Department of Internal Affairs funded a project led by Ara Taiohi to explore how Pacific youth workers and youth practitioners could be better supported. Ara Taiohi engaged Cross-Polynate, an independent consultancy to lead the first wave of engagement. Daisy Lavea-Timo facilitated talanoa with Pacific youth workforce across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch - three key hubs for Pasifika communities.
This initial engagement known as Pacific Warriors, created a sacred vā for youth workers to share stories, challenges, and aspirations. It laid the foundation for what would eventually become Pou Pasifika. In 2023, Chillion Sanerivi and Isabel Lemanutau took on the Pacific Warriors kaupapa and formed a national working group supported by CAYAD and other partners to guide the direction of the project.
The name Pou Pasifika draws inspiration from the word Pou, meaning support pillars or posts that uphold and strengthen structures. In traditional Māori narratives, pou were pillars of light that separated sky and earth allowing life to flourish. Across the Pacific, while the word may differ, the concept of structural support remains deeply embedded in traditional architecture and cultural meaning. Pou Pasifika symbolises the Pasifika diaspora living, learning, working, and thriving in Aotearoa.
Local Action: Regional Fono’s and Community Engagement
In May 2024, CAYAD and the North-West action team hosted the North-West Pou Pasifika fono at Zeal West. Over 65 Pacific youth workers and youth practitioners from the North Shore and West Auckland came together to connect, learn about the revised vision of Pou Pasifika and shape a locally responsive approach. Simultaneous fono’s in Central and South Auckland engaged over 70 more Pasifika.
The fono began by honouring our Pou Tū - pillars in the youth work community followed by open talanoa discussing priorities for the sector. These are what came from the talanoa:
Health & Mental Wellbeing of Youth Workers
Workforce Development, Professional & Personal Growth
Knowledge Hub (Local & National)
Influence at Governance Level
Sustainability of Local & Regional Workforce
The response was overwhelmingly positive with strong enthusiasm to progress the kaupapa.
National Launch: A Historic Milestone
In March 2025, Pou Pasifika was officially launched bringing together over 150 Pacific youth workers and practitioners from across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. This historic moment united seasoned, current, and emerging leaders in celebration of a shared vision for the sector.
Key partners included the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Ola Le Ola Aotearoa Trust (OLOA), CAYAD and Auckland Council’s Community Wellbeing team. Guest speaker Geraldine Clifford-Lidstone, Secretary of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, shared heartfelt reflections:
“When I walked in the room and saw how many of those really old school youth workers were there, it made me quite emotional.”
She acknowledged the years of development behind Pou Pasifika and its role in creating a safe space for Pacific youth workers to connect, grow, and build a national identity in a space that often feels siloed and isolating.
CAYAD Advisor was offered a formal role to contribute part-time to Pou Pasifika, taking on the role of Auckland Regional Lead. Auckland Council has played a key role in supporting this dual contribution enabling work across both portfolios in a way that strengthens the kaupapa and benefits the wider Pacific youth development workforce.
Pou Pasifika Priorities for a Thriving Pacific Youth Workforce:
Skilled & Supported Workforce: Equip Pacific youth workers with cross-sector training and expertise to better serve their communities.
Wellbeing & Resilience: Promote health, wellness, and self-care to sustain the workforce.
Career Pathways: Strengthen access to qualifications and career development to improve economic wellbeing.
Holistic Impact: Enable youth workers to pass on practical, life-enhancing skills to young people.
Safe Practice: Reduce harm by embedding strong ethics, safety, and accountability in youth work.
Systemic Change: Advocate for policy, practice, and resource shifts that support long-term workforce sustainability.
Auckland Seminar: Interweaving Past, Present and Future
In August 2025, Auckland hosted a vibrant one-day seminar for the Pou Pasifika Auckland community. The event reached full capacity within a week of registrations opening highlighting the demand for culturally grounded, youth-focused spaces.
Guided by the theme Interweaving Past, Present and Future, the program featured keynote speaker Johnnie Timu from Brown Pride NZ, interactive workshops and panel discussions that sparked meaningful talanoa and reflection.
Workshop sessions included:
Health & Wellbeing – Avoiding burnout and embracing self-care, led by Asetoa Sam Pilisi
Strengthening Youth Work Practice – Through a Pacific lens, led by Renee Haiu
Artificial Intelligence – Exploring how A.I. can support youth work, led by Tyrone Tangata-Makiri
Panel discussions featured:
The Intersection of Spirituality and Youth Work – With Taitosaua William Peace, Ili Laki Tiatia, Samora Kake, and Pastor Su’emalo Joe Faga
Pou Tū Panel – Seasoned Pasifika youth workers shared insights and wisdom, featuring Hadleigh Pouesi, Repeka George-Koteka, JP Puleitu, and Ennaolla Paea-Vaega
Looking Ahead
Since its launch, Pou Pasifika has focused on laying strong foundations and building its national infrastructure to support and connect Pacific youth development workers across Aotearoa.
Pou Pasifika is currently held under the umbrella of Ola le Ola Aotearoa Trust. It currently has a network of over 500 Pasifika youth development workers and practitioners throughout the motu.
Follow us @poupasifika on Instagram to stay connected and see what’s unfolding in this space. Visit the website for more information: https://poupasifika.com/
L to R: Dickie Humphries, Kat Schuster, Ange Tuaputa, Mike Tuala, Ali’imalemanu Kenneth Aiolupotea, Patrick Gifford.
Pou Pasifika Auckland youthwork sector
Auckland Action team including members of Auckland Council (Kat Schuster, Ange Tuaputa and Mike Tuala).
Articles and videos related to our work thus far:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14PGF993rQ9/
https://youtu.be/-VenOxMTaSI?si=n_jPKxQKoAExoUUi
https://www.sporty.co.nz/communityconnect/newsarticle/140697?newsfeedId=1534326
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOIW2N1EqM-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNMf-gCSCYi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==