Village Collective had the exciting opportunity to attend Polyfest 2024, a vibrant celebration of Pacific culture and heritage. Village Collective set up a booth that served as a hub for sharing information about our initiatives and programs. We engaged with our Pasifika communitites, through interactive displays that highlighted the importance of health & wellbeing, inclusivity, and healthy relationships.

Youth One Stop Shop - YOSS - was established in response to an insights report highlighting the challenges faced by South Auckland's youth. With feedback from 181 participants, the report revealed that while young people understand the importance of health and wellbeing, they often lack the necessary knowledge, self-agency, and life skills to address their needs effectively. Many also reported feeling judged, mistreated, and demeaned when accessing existing health and social services. This underscores a critical need for change in how these services are delivered. 

The MMT Ball was a celebration of the programme and relationships formed between Matua and Talavou. It was a night to recognize the knowledge that has been shared between generations, and the hospitality and care provided by Talavou for Matua and their families.