Living Wage Pasifika Academy sets sail on its first voyage.

On 25 July, the Pasifika Academy set sail on its first voyage, bringing together emerging Pacific leaders for a journey of learning, connection, and collective action.

Over two Saturdays, participants navigated the foundations of community organising, exploring how our Pacific values, cultures, and traditions of relationship-building can become powerful tools for creating lasting change. Together, we deepened our understanding of how we can organise alongside our faith, union, and community allies, working towards the common good of our communities.

Throughout the Academy, participants shared stories, challenged one another, and strengthened the relationships that are at the heart of effective organising. Like a vaka, each person brought unique gifts and experiences, discovering that we move further and stronger when we journey together.

But this is only the beginning. The voyage continues through ongoing workshops, mentoring, and opportunities to put new skills into practice within our communities. As these leaders continue to grow, they will help build a stronger, more connected movement for justice across Aotearoa.

Until the next time we lash our vaka together with a new cohort of leaders, we celebrate the relationships formed, the knowledge shared, and the exciting journey that lies ahead.