Pathways to Potential
About Talavou Fale
Ma te rangatahi tea o e arahi. | Let the youth lead the world.
Talavou Fale recognises that Pacific young people are best supported by the strength, wisdom, and care that already exists within our own communities. Our work centres Pacific rangatahi and their journeys as they navigate identity, relationships, health, and the many challenges and opportunities that come with growing up. We support young people to draw on their inherent strengths, cultural knowledge, and collective resilience while building new skills, knowledge, and confidence to support their wellbeing.
Talavou Fale delivers youth-focused programmes that prioritise safe, culturally grounded spaces where Pacific young people can explore who they are, strengthen their sense of belonging, and develop the tools needed to make informed decisions about their lives. Our approach recognises that wellbeing is holistic and interconnected – grounded in family, spirituality, environment, and community – and therefore our programmes centre Pacific frameworks that honour these relationships.
Our programmes are co-designed with communities and informed by youth development, education, and health frameworks, including the Health and Physical Education Curriculum (Ministry of Education), the Fonofale Framework (Fuimaono Dr Karl Pulotu-Endemann), and relevant Pacific health and wellbeing research. We also draw heavily on the lived experiences, stories, and voices of our communities. The programmes within Talavou Fale are outlined below, and the names of these programmes hold deep meaning as they are shaped by the language, culture, and values of the Pacific communities they serve.
NAVIG8
Represents the journey of young people as they learn to navigate the different spaces, pressures, and opportunities that shape their lives. Drawing inspiration from Pacific navigation across the Moana, the programme recognises the strength, wisdom, and resilience our communities have used for generations to find direction and purpose. Navig8 is inherently a sexual and reproductive health programme, supporting rangatahi to build knowledge, confidence, and skills to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and wellbeing. At the same time, the programme takes a holistic approach grounded in the Fonofale Framework, recognising that sexual and reproductive health is connected to the wider foundations of wellbeing including family, culture, spirituality, mental and physical health, and the environments that young people move through. Through talanoa, youth-led discussions, and culturally grounded learning, Navig8 creates safe spaces where young people can explore identity, strengthen connections to culture and community, and develop the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
For our Talavou
Talavou Fale is your space to learn, grown, and prepare for the future. Our programs support you to develop leadership skills, understand your body and wellbeing, and connect with our culture. Whether you’re in school, alternative education, or part of a family center program, Talavou Fale offers the tools and support you need to thrive.
We offer:
- Navig8: a sexual health education program tailored for Pasifika youth, helping you understand relationships, bodily changes, and wellbeing through a cultural lens.
At Talavou Fale, you’ll find a space where you can explore who you are, build confidence in your journey, and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
FOR COMMUNITIES & PARTNERS
We collaborate with schools, churches, family centers, and community organizations to empower pasifika youth where they are. Through our outreach, we deliver education that strengthens wellbeing, cultural identity, and leadership. Each partnership helps us reach young people in spaces that are familiar and accessible, creating genuine impact within the community.
We offer:
- School Engagements: delivering Navig8 and wellbeing programs to promote health literacy, leadership, and self- awareness.
- Alternative Education & Family Center Sessions: ensuring youth in non-traditional learning environments have access to the same empowering, culturally grounded education.
- Church & Youth Group Activations: collaborating with faith-based groups to provide open spaces for learning, discussion, and leadership growth.
- Community Events: engaging at local gatherings to offer free education, health checks, and opportunities for youth to connect.
Together, we help shape confident, informed, and culturally connected Pasifika leaders
NAVIG8 – In Primary & Intermediate
| Overview | An in-school programme supporting the wellbeing of Pacific and Maori young people through a culturally grounded, Pacific-first approach. NAVIG8 introduces age-appropriate learning around identity, relationships, body awareness, and respect for self and others. The programme builds confidence, resilience, and foundational knowledge in sexual and reproductive health while supporting the wider wellbeing of young people through the Fonofale model, recognising the importance of family, culture, spirituality, and mental and physical wellbeing. |
|---|---|
| Frequency | One-off per session |
| Programme Duration | Dependent on the number of classes engaged and the number of sessions delivered. |
| Session Duration | 45 minutes – 1 hour |
| Participants Criteria |
|
| Medium | In-person and in-class |
| Notes | Parents Fono held before sessions commence. |
NAVGI8 – In High School
| Overview | A youth development programme supporting rangatahi to build knowledge, confidence, and skills in sexual and reproductive health, relationships, consent, identity, and wellbeing. Grounded in Pacific values and the Fonofale framework, the programme creates safe spaces for talanoa where young people can explore identity, strengthen cultural connection, and develop life-positive decision-making skills. |
|---|---|
| Frequency | One-off per session |
| Programme Duration | Dependent on the number of classes engaged and the number of sessions delivered. |
| Session Duration | 45 mins – 1 hour |
| Participants Duration |
|
| Medium | In person and in-class |
| Notes | Programme can be adapted to align with school health curriculum outcomes. |
NAVIG8 – In Churches/Community & Youth Groups
| Overview | An after-school/school holiday programme that provides a culturally safe space for Pacific young people to connect, build friendships, explore identity, and strengthen their wellbeing. Through talanoa, activities, and youth-led discussions, participants build life skills, confidence, and awareness around relationships, leadership, and sexual and reproductive health while maintaining strong connections to faith, culture, and community. |
|---|---|
| Frequency | One-off per session |
| Programme Duration | Dependent on the number of cohort(s) and sessions delivered. |
| Session Duration | 2 – 3 hours |
| Participant Criteria |
|
| Medium |
|
| Location | Village Collective Hub (59 Druces Road, Wiri) or at group site |
NAVIG8 – In Community Events
| Overview | In community activation - set up as a stall for community events or engagement. |
|---|---|
| Frequency | One-off per event |
| Programme Duration | Event Duration |
| Participant Criteria |
|
| Medium | In-person |
| Location | Event site |
Voices from the Village
“I have recommended the services to others who have also benefitted from the sessions. Again it’s important to understand the context of your clients and I can say that my experience has been great because of this.” – Talavou, 35
“Before we found Village Collective, we had sought help from other health and well-being providers for our daughter. However, these ‘Pakeha-led’ institutions felt uncomfortable and dismissive of what our daughter was experiencing. From our very first meeting, Koni made both our daughter and us feel at ease. Our daughter was finally able to speak and be heard. Koni helped her find her voice, allowing her to express her thoughts, feelings, and emotions.” – Mother of Talavou, 48
“Village Collective is a warm and welcoming space to be in. It allows those attending sessions to relax and not feel as though they are in a sterile, hospital environment.” – Talavou, 21
“Accessibility & Brown. This service is affordable, professional and is friendly on our brown and MVPFAFF+ groups. A service like this is rare” – Talavou, 23
Our Work in Action
Talavou Fale cotinues to grow its reach and impact across South Auckland through school, church, and community partnerships.
Recent highlights include:
- Wiri Ministry Youth Night with Navig8: combining health education and mentorship to support youth wellbeing.
- Church Deliveries: hosted at EFK Tokelauan Church and Taulanga U Church, offering sessions on identity, leadership, and sexual health awareness.
- Alternative Education Workshops: supporting young people outside mainstream schooling with confidence, skills, and guidance for their next steps.
- Family Center Sessions: providing accessible education on bodily changes, wellbeing, and culture for youth and their families.
- Community Collaborations: participating in events such as Manurewa Community Network Wellbeing Expo to promote holistic health and empowerment.
Each of these initiatives reflects Talavou Fale’s commitment to guiding Pasifika youth toward bright, empowered futures.