Talanoa Theatre – One Time Showcase of Youth Storytelling
Sat, 16/11/2024 – 12:00 Talanoa Theatre – One Time Showcase of Youth Storytelling Held at Mangere Arts Centre, 16 November 2024 Talanoa Theatre was a special one-time play co-designed, created, and delivered by our youth. Young people from the Talavou Village Leadership Group (TVLG) dedicated weeks of their time to meet, practice, and refine the production, bringing creativity, commitment, and heart to every rehearsal. This was not just a performance – it was a shared journey that built confidence, strengthened relationships, and highlighted the power of youth-led storytelling. The evening was made even more special as it also served as a heartfelt farewell to our former General Manager, Riki. Talanoa Theatre became a celebration of Riki’s leadership and contributions, while shining a spotlight on the next generation of leaders, storytellers, and creatives within our community. It was a meaningful way to honor the past, embrace the future, and bring together youth, staff, and community members for a night of reflection, connection, and celebration. In addition to the performance, the event also provided an important community health component. In partnership with SouthPoint Family Doctors, we held an immunization drive offering HPV, Boostrix (tetanus, whooping cough), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), meningococcal, and flu vaccines alongside free health checks. This ensured that alongside celebrating creativity and culture, our community had access to essential health services in a safe and welcoming environment. The showcase created a vibrant space within our youth community for theatre, storytelling, and wellbeing, allowing young people to express their lived experiences, voices, and truths. The audience was moved by performances filled with strength, vulnerability, and cultural pride — a reminder of how powerful it is when youth are given the space to lead and share their stories. Talanoa Theatre was more than a play; it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, community, and wellbeing. It highlighted the importance of safe spaces where Pasifika youth can grow, explore, and shine. Though a one-time event, the impact of Talanoa Theatre continues to resonate — fostering confidence, inspiring leadership, strengthening connections, and supporting the holistic wellbeing of our youth and wider community.
Manafest – Fiefia Night Celebration
Tue, 25/03/2025 – 12:00 Manafest – Fiefia Night Celebration Held at James Cook High School, 25 March 2025 Village Collective proudly sponsored and hosted James Cook High School for their Fiefia night, which they named Manafest. They evening was a vibrant celebration of culture, identity, and school pride – led by students, supported by whanau, and filled with performances that showcased the heart and spirit of the James Cook High School community. Students from the school’s cultural groups poured blood, sweat, and tears into their rehearsals, preparing to represent their heritage at Polyfest 2025. Manafest provided a platform for these young performers to shine, bringing families, peers, and staff together in an atmosphere of laughter, music, dance, and community spirit. In addition to the performances, Manafest focused on the wellbeing of attendees. In partnership with SouthPoint Family Doctors, we hosted an immunization drive offering HPV, Boostrix (tetanus & whooping cough), MMR, meningococcal, and flu vaccines, alongside free health checks. Our resident chiropractor, Dr Bo Wong, was also on site to provide support and realignment for students and whanau, ensuring everyone left feeling cared for in both body and spirit. Manafest was more than just a performance night — it was a celebration of youth leadership, cultural pride, and community connection. By placing students at the centre of the event and supporting their health and wellbeing, the evening fostered confidence, strengthened relationships, and highlighted the power of culture to unite and inspire. IT was a shining example of what is possible when young people, whanau, and community come together to celebrate identity, talent, and collective achievement.
Launching Our Youth Hub & Clinic: A New Space for Connection, Care and Community
Sun, 22/10/2023 – 12:00 Launching Our Youth Hub & Clinic: A New Space for Connection, Care and Community On 22 October 2023, Village Collective proudly opened the doors to our Youth Hub & Clinic in Wiri — a dedicated space designed to empower South Auckland’s youth through accessible health services, youth development programs, and a welcoming environment that fosters connections and belonging. This initiative was born from a 2022 insights report highlighting the challenges faced by local young people. Feedback from 181 participants revealed that while youth understand the importance of health and wellbeing, many lack the knowledge, self-agency, and life skills to address their needs effectively. Many also shared experiences of judgement, mistreatment, and barriers when accessing existing services, underscoring the urgent need for change. Our Youth Hub & Clinic serves as a third space — a supportive environment outside of home and school where young people can connect, relax, and access services without stigma. Research shows that third places can combat loneliness, improve mood, and reduce stress by providing comfortable, social, and relaxed settings. These spaces are particularly vital for youth who may feel marginalized or disconnected from other support systems. At the launch event, we celebrated the creation of this inclusive space with community members, partners, and stakeholders. Attendees explored the services offered, learned about youth-led initiatives, and connected with the team driving positive change in the community. The Youth Hub & Clinic is more than just a facility; it’s a testament to our commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of South Auckland youth and fostering an ecosystem where their voices, experiences, and aspirations are valued. We all invite all community partners and stakeholders to join us in this vital effort to uplift the next generation — building a stronger, healthier, and more empowered future for young people across the region.
Celebrating Gagana Samoa with University of Auckland Samoan Students Association (UASSA)
Fri, 06/06/2025 – 12:00 Celebrating Gagana Samoa with University of Auckland Samoan Students Association (UASSA) Held at the University of Auckland Quad, 06 June 2025 In June 2025, Village Collective proudly partnered with the University of Auckland Samoan Students’ Association (UASSA) to sponsor their Samoan Language Week Showcase, held at the University’s Quad. This marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership with UASSA and their community of young Pasifika leaders, who dedicated an entire week to honoring the richness of Samoan language, culture, and identity within their educational space. For Village Collective, the purpose of supporting this cohort was clear: identity is wellbeing. By investing in youth-led initiatives that celebrate language and culture, we strengthen young people’s confidence, sense of belonging, and ability to thrive. Partnering with UASSA affirms our commitment to creating spaces where Pasifika youth feel seen, valued and empowered – not only in their communities, but within academic institutions too. The celebrations began with an Ava Ceremony – a sacred and traditional custom that signifies the opening of an important gathering, grounding the week in respect and cultural integrity. On Tuesday, UASSA hosted a Sa’ili le Atua Spiritual Night, dedicating an evening to give back to God and placing faith at the center of their journey, ensuring the rest of Samoan Language Week was guided and blessed. Midweek, students gathered for the Le Malu Workshop, designed to support Samoan students in deepening their understanding of cultural traditions and strengthening confidence in their identities as tama and tama’ita’i. Thursday morning featured an Academic Seminar, with faculty associations presenting their purpose and highlighting the role of identity in academia. That same evening, UASSA collaborated with AUTSA to host a Sports Night, bringing together laughter, fellowship, and friendly competition. The week culminated in the much-appreciated Samoan Language Week Showcase on Friday evening. This finale was a vibrant celebration of Gagana Samoa, culture, and identity through powerful performances – all organized, facilitated, and brought to life by at least 45 active members of UASSA. Supporting UASSA’s Samoan Language Week was more than sponsorship; it was an act of solidarity with the next generation of Pasifika leaders. This partnership has opened the door to new networks, relationships, and collaborations with young people who are proudly carrying their culture forward while shaping a future grounded in resilience, pride, and unity.
McAuley High School Health Expo – Empowering Young Women with Health Education
Fri, 16/05/2025 – 12:00 McAuley High School Health Expo – Empowering Young Women with Health Education Held at McAuley High School, 16 May 2025 Village Collective was honored to be part of the McAuley High School Health Expo, an event dedicated to equipping young women with tools, resources, and knowledge to take charge of their health and wellbeing. At our stall, students were warmly welcomed and engaged in open conversations about sexual and reproductive health – covering topics like consent, healthy relationships, contraception, and STI awareness. Our goal was to create a safe and supportive space where students could ask questions, receive accurate information, and walk away feeling more empowered to make informed choices about their health. Alongside the korero, students were encouraged to take part in engaging interactive activities designed to break down stigmas around sexual health. By blending learning with play, we were able to make serious topics approachable and memorable for the young women who came through. As with all our school partnerships, this expo was about more than just sharing information – it was about strengthening trust, building confidence, and reminding students that support is available both inside and outside the school gates. Events like this reaffirm Village Collective’s commitment to supporting Pasifika youth in making informed decisions about their sexual health and overall wellbeing. We’re grateful to McAuley High School for inviting us to be part of this kaupapa, and we look forward to continuing to walk alongside their students in the journey ahead.
E Tipu e Rea Manurewa Wellness Expo – Growing & Flourishing Together
Thu, 02/10/2025 – 12:00 E Tipu e Rea Manurewa Wellness Expo – Growing & Flourishing Together Hosted by Manurewa Community Network, 02 October 2025, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Under the theme “E Tipu e Rea Manurewa” (To Grow and Flourish in Manurewa), the Wellness Expo was a vibrant celebration of community, connection, and holistic wellbeing. Held at Southmall in Manurewa, the event brought together over 50 community organizations offering resources, services, and support to whanau across the region. Village Collective was proud to be part of this gathering – joining local partners, health providers, youth organizations, and social services to create a space where our community could access care, korero, and connection is one place. Throughout the day, our Psychologist, Jessee Fia’Ali’i, was present at the expo, providing visibility for our Pasifika Care Team – a group of clinicians well-versed in their respective fields and passionate about culturally grounded care. Their presence reflected Village Collective’s commitment to normalizing conversations around mental health and making wellbeing support more accesible to our Pasifika youth and families. The expo offered attendees the chance to: Receive free health checks and connect with health providers Learn about community services in education, employment, and social support Engage with youth-focused initiatives and culturally responsive health information Experience a welcoming space celebrating the diversity and strength of Manurewa Events like E Tipu e Rea highlight the power of collective wellbeing – where collaboration across communities ensures every person has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and be seen. Village Collective looks forward to continuing this partnership with the Manurewa Community Network to further strengthen wellbeing in South Auckland.
ASB Polyfest ’24 – A Celebration of Alofa & Pasifika Pride
Sat, 23/03/2024 – 12:00 ASB Polyfest ’24 – A Celebration of Alofa & Pasifika Pride Held at Manukau Sports Bowl, 20 – 23 March 2024 Village Collective had the exciting opportunity to attend Polyfest 2024, a vibrant celebration of Pacific culture and heritage. Our team set up a colorful and welcoming booth that served as a hub for sharing information about our initiatives, resources, and programs. Through interactive displays, and engaging talanoa, we connected with our Pasifika communities around the importance of health and wellbeing, inclusivity, and healthy relationships. We were proud to have the Teu Wardrobe active throughout the festival – providing accessible clothing that our talavou could utilize. The Teu Wardrobe first and foremost champions gender-affirming clothing for our Rainbow+ community, while also helping young people access good-quality outfits for job interviews, special events, or fashion exploration – all without breaking the bank. Our Rainbow Wall was a festival favorite – a creative space that invited everyone to give and express alofa loudly for all to see! Visitors were encouraged to leave messages of love, pride, and encouragement, turning the wall into a living tapestry of color and community spirit. We also teamed up with Samoan Sefa and Drink Da Milgy, adding to the fun with drink giveaways that kept everyone refreshed and smiling throughout the week. Across all four days, our team engaged with thousands of young people, kicking off Wednesday with interactive learning activities – pulled straight from Navig8 handbook – for our out-of-Auckland students, and continuing through the weekend with meaningful talanoa and connection. A highlight of the festival was when our Talavou Village Leadership Group (TVLG) had the special opportunity to sit and talanoa with Dr Claire Achmad, the Children’s Chief Commissioner and Mana Mokopuna. Over kai and laughter, our young leaders shared their lived experiences and walked away feeling heard, valued, and inspired – a moment that beautifully embodied the spirit of Polyfest. Fa’afetai tele lava to everyone who came through, shared their stories, and celebrated Pasifika pride with us. Until next year – alofa tele and see you at the next Polyfest 2025!
Acknowledging Foodstuffs North Island’s Ongoing Support for Our Community
Thu, 05/02/2026 – 12:00 Acknowledging Foodstuffs North Island’s Ongoing Support for Our Community Foodstuffs North Island: Supporting Our Community, Strengthening Our Whānau At Village Collective, our mahi has always centred on uplifting our Pasifika communities with care, dignity, and connection. From our health programmes to our community outreach events, we are committed to ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels supported and valued. This year, we’ve been blessed with the generous support of Foodstuffs North Island, whose contributions have strengthened our ability to serve our communities in meaningful and practical ways. Providing Pallets That Help Us Feed Our People Every month, our team delivers hundreds of food parcels to families across South Auckland. These parcels aren’t just packages — they are a reflection of alofa, unity, and the belief that no one should stand alone in times of need. Foodstuffs North Island has played a crucial role by providing pallets that enable us to safely pack, store, and distribute these food parcels at our outreach events. This behind-the-scenes support may seem small, but it has made a huge difference in helping our team operate smoothly and efficiently. Incentives That Help Empower Programme Participants Our programs thrive when participants feel engaged, motivated, and valued. The incentives provided by Foodstuffs North Island have helped uplift our rangatahi and families who attend our workshops and community sessions. Whether it’s supporting attendance, acknowledging their mahi, or making them feel seen, these incentives have enhanced the delivery of our programs and strengthened participant experience. Stock for Our Pātaka Kai: A Pantry of Hope We are proud to host a Pātaka Kai (community pantry) that serves families facing unexpected hardship. Foodstuffs North Island’s donations of pantry stock have allowed us to keep our shelves filled with essentials for whānau who need a little extra support. These contributions ensure that our community has consistent access to kai — something that is especially important during times of rising costs and instability. Celebrating Community: Photo Highlights Each photo tells a story of gratitude, resilience, and partnership. It reflects the collective effort it takes to wrap support around families, and we’re proud to acknowledge Foodstuffs North Island for being part of this journey. Thank You, Foodstuffs North Island To the entire team at Foodstuffs North Island — thank you for your ongoing support, generosity, and commitment to community wellbeing. Your contribution goes far beyond supplies; it helps us create spaces of hope, dignity, and connection for our Pasifika people. Together, we are feeding families, empowering communities, and building futures grounded in compassion.