Lil Gay Out 2026
Lil Gay Out: Connecting with Rainbow Rangatahi Through Health, Wellbeing & Community Village Collective was proud to attend Lil Gay Out, a vibrant youth-focused event celebrating Rainbow+ high school students from across Tāmaki Makaurau. The event provided a safe, affirming, and empowering space where rangatahi could celebrate their identities, build meaningful connections, and access support from organizations committed to their wellbeing. At its heart, Lil Gay Out was about fostering belonging. It created an environment where young people could come together, connect with their peers, express themselves authentically, and engage with services that are inclusive, respectful, and responsive to their needs. The event highlighted the importance of creating spaces where Rainbow+ rangatahi feel seen, valued, and supported to thrive. The day brought together hundreds of high school students from across Auckland, alongside educators, community organizations, and youth-focused services. Village Collective was proud to be among the organizations contributing to the event, engaging directly with more than 100 young people, teachers, and community representatives throughout the day. These interactions created valuable opportunities to build relationships, share information, and strengthen connections with the communities we serve. Throughout the event, our team focused on promoting health and wellbeing through engaging, youth-friendly education. Using interactive games, resources, and activities, we facilitated conversations around topics including MMR awareness, puberty education, sexual and reproductive health, and overall wellbeing. By creating a fun and approachable learning environment, rangatahi were encouraged to ask questions, challenge, misconceptions, and explore health topics in a way that felt safe, inclusive, and age appropriate. These conversations often extended beyond the activities themselves. For many young people, the opportunity to speak openly with trusted community health providers helped increase awareness of available services and reinforced that accessing healthcare should be a positive and affirming experience. By removing barriers and creating a judgement-free environment, the event allowed rangatahi to engage with important health information on their own terms. One of the most significant outcomes of Village Collective’s participation was the opportunity to build trust with Rainbow+ rangatahi while strengthening relationships with schools, educators, and community partners who share a commitment to youth wellbeing. The positive engagement throughout the day reinforced the value of delivering health education within community settings where young people feel comfortable, connected, and empowered to participate. Lil Gay Out demonstrated that health promotion is most effective when it is accessible, engaging, and grounded in meaningful relationships. By combining interactive learning with culturally responsive and youth-centered approaches, Village Collective helped increase knowledge, reduce stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health conversations, and promote equitable access to health information and services. As we continue our work alongside Rainbow+ communities, events like Lil Gay Out remind us of the importance of meeting young people where they are, listening to their experiences, and creating opportunities for connection, learning, and growth. When rangatahi feel safe to be themselves, they are more likely to ask questions, seek support, and build the confidence needed to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. Lil Gay Out was celebration of identity, community, and the collective responsibility we share in supporting the next generation to thrive. 🌈✨
Aniwaniwa Vibes & Under the Fale
Celebrating Pride Through Culture, Creativity, and Community This Global Pride Month, Rainbow Fale had the privilege of partnering with community organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau and Waikato to create spaces where Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ communities could come together, celebrate their identities, and strengthen their connections with one another. Through Āniwaniwa Vibes and Under the Fale, we witnessed the power of culturally grounded, community-led gatherings that centred belonging, creativity, and collective wellbeing. While each event had its own unique flavour, both shared a common purpose: creating safe, affirming environments where Rainbow+ rangatahi, whānau, and community members could be fully themselves, free from judgement and surrounded by support. Āniwaniwa Vibes: Creativity, Connection & Belonging In partnership with Manatahi Trust, Āniwaniwa Vibes brought together Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ rangatahi, their whānau, and the wider community for a vibrant celebration of Pride. The event welcomed 20 participants who gathered to connect, share experiences, enjoy kai, and build meaningful relationships. At its heart, Āniwaniwa Vibes was about creating a space where young people felt safe to express their authentic selves while celebrating the strength, diversity, and beauty of our Rainbow+ Māori and Pasifika communities. Participants took part in a range of hands-on creative workshops, including charm bracelet making, poi creation, painting, and sei clip making. These activities provided opportunities for self-expression, storytelling, and connection, while also leaving participants with meaningful keepsakes to take home. Whether it was a handcrafted bracelet, a painted artwork, or a carefully made sei, each creation became a tangible reminder of Pride, identity, and belonging. The workshops were intentionally designed around creative practices that honoured the traditions of our Māori and Pasifika ancestors. By creating with our hands, participants connected with the legacy of those who wove, carved, crafted, and created before us. Through this process, culture, creativity, and identity became intertwined, reinforcing participants’ sense of belonging and affirming their place within their communities. One of the most meaningful outcomes of Āniwaniwa Vibes was the inspiration it generated for future initiatives. Through the awhi, guidance, and collaboration between Manatahi Trust and Rainbow Fale, the event demonstrated the value of culturally responsive Pride celebrations. The positive feedback from participants highlighted the ongoing need for spaces where Rainbow+ rangatahi can connect, celebrate their identities, and experience genuine acceptance and community support. Under the Fale: Strengthening Our Collective Village Building on the same spirit of connection and affirmation, Under the Fale brought together Pasifika Rainbow+ rangatahi, aiga, and community members in Waikato for an afternoon centred on culture, creativity, and whakawhanaungatanga. Delivered in partnership with K’aute Pasifika, the event welcomed 20 attendees and was strengthened by the presence of respected Rainbow+ community leaders Woshe Williams and Vai from Toitū Te Ao. Together, they helped create a space where participants could share stories, learn from one another, and celebrate the richness of Pasifika Rainbow+ identities. Like Āniwaniwa Vibes, Under the Fale focused on hands-on creative experiences that encouraged self-expression and collective connection. Participants took part in sei-making workshops and collaborative Pride flag-making activities, working together to design flags that reflected their identities, cultures, values, and visions for their communities. The flag-making workshop became a particularly powerful expression of collective pride. Each group’s design carried unique stories, symbols, and meanings that reflected both individual experiences and shared aspirations. The creativity and care poured into each flag highlighted the strength that comes from community, while reinforcing messages of acceptance, resilience, and belonging. Beyond the creative activities, Under the Fale demonstrated the importance of collaboration in strengthening Rainbow+ communities across Aotearoa. The event created opportunities for organisations, leaders, and community members to connect and support one another in ways that extended beyond the day itself. It showed that when we bring together different skills, experiences, and perspectives, we can create environments that are welcoming, inclusive, and deeply affirming. Most importantly, Under the Fale served as an opportunity to awhi and uplift the Pasifika Rainbow+ community within Waikato. It reinforced the idea that regardless of whether we come from Auckland, Waikato, or elsewhere, and regardless of the organisations we represent, we are stronger when we unite around a shared commitment to caring for and celebrating our Rainbow+ communities. Looking Ahead Together, Āniwaniwa Vibes and Under the Fale demonstrated the profound impact that culturally grounded Rainbow+ spaces can have on our communities. Through creativity, talanoa, laughter, shared meals, and collective care, participants experienced what it means to belong. These events were more than Pride celebrations. They were opportunities to strengthen relationships, honour culture, celebrate diversity, and create spaces where Māori and Pasifika Rainbow+ people could be visible, valued, and affirmed. As we look to the future, we hope these gatherings continue to grow and inspire further collaboration across our communities. The positive response from participants reinforces what we already know: when we create spaces rooted in culture, connection, and care, our rangatahi, whānau, and wider communities thrive. Pride is not only about visibility. It is about belonging. It is about creating spaces where our people can show up as their full and authentic selves, knowing they are seen, celebrated, and loved. 🌈✨
ASDAH Community Adventure
Auckland Seventh-Day Adventist High School Community Day At ASDAH School in Mangere, we ran a stall as part of a career expo-style event alongside a range of other organisations. The event created a lively and welcoming environment where students could explore different services, opportunities, and pathways while connecting with groups in their community. Our stall stood out by combining fun, interaction, and education in a way that encouraged students to get involved. We set up games of cornhole and ring toss, which quickly attracted plenty of interest. Students came over to have a go, challenge their friends, and enjoy the friendly competition. The games created a relaxed atmosphere and made it easy for students to approach the stall and participate. The activity was designed to be both entertaining and informative. Depending on how many bean bags they landed in cornhole or how many rings they tossed successfully, students were asked a question related to health, wellbeing, or sexual and reproductive health. Some questions were simple conversation starters, while others encouraged students to think more deeply about healthy choices, self-care, respectful relationships, and where to seek support when needed. Being part of a wider careers expo made the experience even more valuable, as students were already in a mindset of learning, discovery, and engagement. Our stall added an interactive element to the event, helping to show that conversations about health and wellbeing can be approachable, relevant, and empowering. Overall, the event was a great success. Through cornhole, ring toss, and meaningful questions, we created a space that was fun, inclusive, and educational. It was rewarding to see students actively participating, learning something new, and engaging confidently with important topics around health, wellbeing, and sexual and reproductive health.
Youth Week 2026
Youth Week 2026: Young Voices Leading the Way Village Collective partnered with Papakura High School’s Kura Moana Pacific Council to celebrate Youth Week 2026 through a series of youth-led events that amplified the voices and talents of young people. Echoes of the Village provided a platform for young people to share songs, spoken word, and reflections on the issues that matter most to them, creating a space for authentic expression and connection. The celebrations concluded with a Whānau Fun Day attended by more than 100 young people and their families. Alongside free kai, games, prizes, trivia, and bingo, attendees had access to immunisations and health checks, with young people leading by example in prioritising their health and wellbeing while encouraging their whānau to do the same.
Just SAYN 2026
Just SAYN Symposium 2026: Sharing Pacific Perspectives Village Collective was proud to contribute to the SAYN Symposium 2026, joining youth development leaders from across Aotearoa to explore the theme of ancestral intelligence. Tyson Pula represented Village Collective on the New Gen Panel, sharing reflections on how cultural knowledge and community values continue to shape effective youth work practice. Jordan Khan and Sisilia Fakalata also delivered a workshop on Pacific approaches to Rainbow allyship, encouraging participants to consider how cultural values and relationships can support safe, inclusive, and affirming environments for Rainbow+ Pacific communities.
Red Carpet Time
Thursday, 23 March 2023 – 11:21 Red Carpet Time Recently we held a red carpet event at Event Cinemas Manukau where we invited participants in Matua ma Talavou to come along and watch a short documentary of our journey to date. It was a highlight for many as they marvelled at seeing themselves on the big screen. It was great to have our partner in this project TOA Pacific share in the evening with staff along with CEO Malia Hamani in attendance. With over 130 guests present, it was a great night filled with laughter and joy. Check our some of our photos below. For more information, email infor@villagecollective.nz.
Matala
Thursday, 2 October 2025 – 16:33 Matala Matala carries many beautiful meanings across the Pacific, in Tonga it speaks of blossoming, and in Samoa of opening. Flowers are gifts to the world, and so are we as Rainbow people. Like flowers, we grow, thrive, and flourish into the fullness of who we are. Through Rainbow Fale, Matala creates safe spaces in schools for Rainbow young people to feel affirmed, included, and supported. Alongside this, Matala also delivers workshops aligned to the school curriculum, helping to embed learning and awareness in ways that are meaningful and relevant for students and teachers alike. Currently active in six South Auckland schools (and having worked with over ten schools over the years), the program provides a foundation of belonging an empowerment. Young people often begin their journey with Matala, then move to Mafutaga after leaving school, and eventually join Va’hine Lei, ensuring a lifelong pathway of connection and community.
Mafutaga
Thursday, 2 October 2025 – 16:56 Mafutaga Mafutaga is a word that carries the spirit of gathering, connection, and fellowship. It reflects the strength of coming together as one, to share stories, wisdom, laughter, and support. Just as woven strands form a strong mat, our Rainbow community weaves bonds of belonging through Mafutaga. This space is designed for Pasifika Rainbow young adults who left school and are stepping into new journeys of study, work, or life. It is also a space for our Matala members still in school to come together, be surrounded by like-minded individuals, and gain a deeper sense of belonging and community. Mafutaga provides a safe and affirming environment where members can continues to be nurtured, grow in confidence, and remain connected to their wider Rainbow whanau. As part of the wider Rainbow Fale journey, many begin with Matala in schools, continue through Mafutaga as young adults, and later find connection in Va’hine Lei ensuring that at every stage of life, there is a place to belong, to flourish, and to be affirmed.
Va’hine Lei
Thursday, 2 October 2025 – 17:05 Va’hine Lei was created to connect with the older generation of the Pasifika Rainbow community, offering a safe and affirming space to relax, share food, and engage in deep talanoa. The name Va’hine Lei carries deep meaning: Va speaks to keeping the sacred and respectful space between us as a group, Hine honors women and femininity across the moana, and Lei represents flowers, symbolizing our members as gifts, the flowers we are to nature and to the world. Meeting once a month, the group nurtures belonging for those who may often feel isolated as the only Pasifika Rainbow representation in their workplaces or fields. Members come from diverse backgrounds across health and youth sectors, bringing their experiences, wisdom, and voices into a space where they can be uplifted, affirmed, and surrounded by like-minded community.
Matala Ball
Thursday, 2 October 2025 – 17:11 Matala Ball The ballroom scene and culture originated in New York in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s , where queer and trans Black and Latinx communities – excluded from mainstream pageants, created their own underground safe spaces to host ballroom competitions. In the early 2000’s, Aotearoa began to recognize this culture, and in 2013 the first official ballroom scene was established in South Auckland, Otara. Since then, the scene has grown into a thriving ballroom community across Aotearoa. Village Collective has been hosting kiki balls since 2021, and this year our aim was to host a grand Matala Ball to bring the community together once again. This event was a collaboration between Village Collective and the Aotearoa Ballroom Council, with a group from the Council selected to help plan and organize the Matala Ball. What made this ball particularly special was the ballroom workshops held the evening before, led by our international Mothers from Australia: the legendary founding Mother Ella Alexander, and Jaycee Iman, the founding of the House of Iman. The Matala Ball itself took place the following evening, showcasing eight categories that celebrated creativity, expression, and excellence within our community. The weekend of providing festivities closed with a traditional Sunday ballroom toonai (brunch), providing a final moment for everyone to connect, reflect, and say their goodbyes before departing.