Our Pūmanawa Āwhina team members, Mele, Norelle, and Sarah, recently had the privilege of attending the 'Pou Pasifika' workshop in South Auckland, an inspiring initiative bringing together Pasifika youth workers and practitioners to discuss and champion youth work in Aotearoa. This gathering provided a valuable platform for talanoa, fostering connections and sharing insights within our tangata moana whānau.

During our talanoa, we took a moment to honour the Pou Tu youth workers — Pasifika individuals who have dedicated significant years of service to our communities in South Auckland. It was a humbling experience to acknowledge the tireless efforts of these giants, whose contributions have paved the way for future generations. Among them, Sully Paea stood out, with over 50 years of unwavering commitment to serving South Auckland communities, particularly the youth. His passion and dedication continue to inspire us to this day.

As we immersed ourselves in discussions, we were reminded of the importance of championing Pasifika youth work in Aotearoa. Together, we identified our workforce priorities and needs.

1. Health & Well-being of Youth Workers.
2. A Knowledge Hub.
3. Workforce, Personal, & Professional Development
4. Influence at Government Level and
5. Sustainability of our local workers

The workshop served as a catalyst for reflection and empowerment, reinforcing our commitment to serving our Pasifika youth with excellence and integrity. We left feeling inspired and energized, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.