First established in 2013 as a Māori Performing Arts/Kapa Haka group to now a Charitable Organisation and Trust to generate community inclusion for both Pasifika and Māori in Porirua and the wider Wellington region.

 

The opening of Le Malaga o Moanaroa, a new youth hub took place on the 11 of February 2022 at Waitangirua Mall in Porirua, New Zealand. The name Le Malaga o Moanaroa is about everyone connecting and coming together through the ocean in which our staff members came up with the name. Our staff members came up with the name Le Malaga o Moanaroa, which means "everyone connecting and coming together through the ocean." Our team thought the name was a good fit for what we intended to offer, which is to connect our community together to make your, their, and our dreams come true, in other words, to give back.

 

Saviiey Nua, Chairman and Director of Le Malaga o Moanaroa had mentioned on the day of the opening “ Our hub doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to the youth (who come to the building). It is not up to us to decide whether it is a safe space, they (Youth) create their own safe space with their presence, connecting with others and making the hub theirs. ”

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Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust provides a Hāpori Fale (Youth Hub) to empower young people through skills acquiring programs to discover their full potential which focuses on Pasifika and Māori Rangatahi from Porirua.

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Our establishment focuses on four key areas:

1. MVPFAFF+ (which stands for: Mahu Vahine (Tahitian), Mahu Wahine (Hawaiian), Palopa (Papua New  Guinea), Fa’afafine (Samoan), Fakaleiti (Tongan), Akava’ine (Cook Islands Māori), Fiafifine (Niuean). and Takatāpui, Whakawahine of the Moana

2.   Flourishing Garden of Knowledge (Education based)

3.   Moana Creatives (Cultural and Creative Arts)

4.   Community Service

“I tell everyone who comes through the door that they are the future. Everything they learn can be passed on to the next generation. They are important,” says Saviiey. It is Saviiey’s hope that through gaining knowledge and connection with their cultural roots, visitors will have a better sense of their identity and what they can achieve in the world.