About Us
Moana Vā - Navigators of Pacific Pride exists to uplift and empower Pacific Rainbow+ communities, including LGBTQIA+ and MVPFAFF+ identities (mahu, vakasalewa, palopa, fa’afafine, akava’ine, fakaleiti (leiti), fakafifine), in Canterbury and beyond.
We are dedicated to providing support, advocacy, and mentorship for Pacific Rainbow+ individuals while addressing the unique challenges of living in a systemically conservative region. By challenging unconscious racial bias and stereotypes, we strive to create a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
At Moana Vā, our point of difference lies in our holistic approach: we not only support Rainbow+ individuals but also extend our care to their families. We believe that by empowering families, we strengthen the foundation for acceptance, understanding, and collective growth.
While Pacific Rainbow+ communities are at the heart of our mission, we welcome everyone with open arms—because we believe in celebrating diversity in all its forms. As our motto says: “All flavours welcome.”
Through connection, storytelling, and intergenerational narratives, Moana Vā fosters resilience and inspires future allies. More than just a support network, we offer access to resources and services tailored to our community’s needs, amplifying their voices and ensuring they are seen, heard, and celebrated.
MVPFAFF+
Outside of the gender binary, there are several ways to think about gender in the Pacific. Some terms for gender identities used in the Pacific include:
M for Mahu in Tahiti and Hawai'i.
V for Vaka sa lewa lewa in Fiji.
P for Palopa in Papua New Guinea.
F for Fa'afafine and Fa'afatama in Samoa and American Samoa.
A for Akava'ine in the Cook Islands.
F for Fakaleiti or leiti in the Kingdom of Tonga.
F for Fakafifine in Niue.
-Phylesha Brown-Acton MNZM
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Mission
Yo establish and cement our Pacific Rainbow+ communities by socialising, meeting, hosting workshops, creating relationships, building support networks and capabilities to train facilitators to educate communities of Pacific Rainbow+ pedagogies, worldviews and realities.
To provide information sessions and events to create meaningful outcomes for our communities to gather, grow and become visibly strong and resilient.
Through fellowship, connectivity, events and workshops we will be able to support our marginalised folks who sometimes feel there is no family (‘aiga / ’ānau / fāmili / magafaoa / matavuvale / whānau) for them.
Values
Leadership
Acknowledging authentic Tagata Moana
leadership models, frameworks, approaches and terminology that will be used to support the Rainbow and wider Community in Ōtautahi.
Servant leadership in the wider context of Aotearoa and beyond.
Celebration
Moana Vā acknowledges the importance of the diverse Pacific languages, cultures, sexualities, spirituality and protocols and
will ensure these are incorporated into all of the services and functions.
Collectivism
A ‘Teu le vā’ collective and partnered approach to creating safe spaces, raising awareness and the active education,
advocacy, allyship by, with, for Tagata Moana rainbow communities.
Love
A deep sense of love, manaaki and caring for our Rainbow community and the creation of spaces and places where they are
cared for and looked after.
Family
This recognises that every person belongs to a family and every family belongs to a person. Moana Vā recognises and helps the
Rainbow community navigate the vā around family, identity and belonging. We also recognise Ancestry and safe places involve
connections and kinship with whom and what has gone before us.
Media
Rule Foundation July 2024
Rainbow Legacy Wellbeing 2022 grantee
Faces of Funding
Coconut Wireless Nov 2023
Newletter acknowledgement
Uniting Canterbury Women Nov 2023
Moana Vā - nagivators of Pacific Pride by Jo Bailey
Vui Suli Tuitaupe | Founder of Moana Vā – Navigators of Pacific Pride Nov 2023
Waatea News
MPP Write Up April 2023
Ministry of Pacific Peoples article - Pacific Rainbow+ collective proudly visible and flourishing in Canterbury.
Christchurch Obstetrics and Gynaecology Associates Collaboration
The Spinoff - June 2022
A Pasifika rainbow community is making waves in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Pegasus Health - June 2022
Moana Vā providing safe space for Pacific Rainbow+ community
Stuff February 2022
Moana Vā collective launches safe space for Pacific Rainbow community
Radio New Zealand - March 2025
Culture 101 Podcast with Mark Amery
DONATE
We welcome any donations. Donations can be made via bank transfer, account number: Moana Vā society account - 12-3149-0370775-00. All donations made to us are tax deductible as we are a registered charity #CC61186. If you would like to donate via bank card you can donate through out Ko-Fi page here
Core Funders
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