Intergenerational leadership ignites deeper connections at P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Conference

P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Incorporated recently held their 46th National Conference in Palmerston North themed around ‘women’s rights to wellness’ and there were several workshops that aimed to:

·         empower Pacific Island women and youth through education, leadership programs, and skill development workshops

·         facilitate community-based programs focused on health, wellbeing, and sustainable living

·         promote and preserve Pacific Island cultures, languages, and traditions

·         represent Pacific Island women at local, national and international forums, advocating for their rights and opportunities.

Among the attendees immersed in Pacific excellence and empowerment was our Pacific System’s Innovator Mele Tonga-Grant. Mele joined a group of Pacific women in leadership with backgrounds in health, policy, education, performing arts, local government and more.  

Mele (pictured left) at the P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Conference with the Hutt Valley branch

“We all shared the same vision of sparking real change through collective action, showing that we’re stronger together and paving the way for our pacific communities to thrive across the motu” says Mele.

Mele also had the opportunity to gain insights from The Wellbeing Report – Voices from Pacific Women and Girls in Aotearoa, New Zealand and connect with Fuimaono Dr Karl Pulotu-Endermann and Leota Dr Lisi Kalisi Petaia to learn about the Kalisi Model they designed and its alignment with fonofale health and wellbeing model for Pacific peoples.

“I like how the Kalisi model draws on Pacific practices and experiences to explore Pacific people’s mental health and wellbeing.  Dr Karl talked about how the Kalisi model was dedication to women and how it works through generational approaches (great grandma, grandma, mother, daughter, granddaughter etc) to understand mental health.”

There were lots of discussions that aligned very much of what we’re doing at Healthy Families Hutt Valley – weaving pacific community groups and organisations to use Moana indigenous ways of living, enabling them to have autonomy over their own health and wellbeing.

Cultural preservation, identity and passing it down to the next generation

A speech competition also took place at the conference – Mele was selected to speak on behalf of the Hutt Valley branch about cultural preservation and identity for our younger generation.

“HFHV’s approach to mahi aligned with my kōrero in the way that our pacific languages and heritage art act as the main connector between our people and better health outcomes – connecting us to the whakataukī ka mua, ka muri.”

Mele participating at the speech competition.

A key highlight for Mele was having the opportunity to collaborate with three generations of leaders and trailblazers.

“Seeing women there who were a part of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A when it first started 46 years ago was truly inspiring. I enjoyed listening to their reflections and experiences in leadership, it helped me step out my comfort zone and try new things because of the safe space they created. I loved celebrating each other and all our wins - it felt like a win for my mums and my aunties because I felt like they were my family.”