Tuakana Leadership

Are you ready to step up and serve the next generation of young Pasifika leaders?

Tula’i Tuakana are young leaders who help create the space for our Tula’i Ngāue participants to learn, connect, grow and lead. Scroll down to find more information.

Being a Tuakana is more than a role. It is an opportunity to serve, build relationships, share your experiences and grow your own leadership alongside others.

Rooted in our Pacific values of Alofa, Faka’apa’apa, Loto Malie and Tauhi Vā, Tuakana help bring the spirit of Tula’i to life.

Tula’i Ngāue — to arise and take action. Apply using the form.

OPEN TO ELIGIBLE TULA’I NGĀUE ALUMNI (2025-2026). PLEASE VIEW CRITERIA BELOW.

ELIGIBILITY

To serve as a Tuakana Leader, you must be either:

A Tula’i Ngāue Graduate from the 2025 or 2026 Cohorts OR

A Tuakana leader from 2025-2025

You must commit to the Tuakana Leadership Journey from January- September 2027 and be active for our:

Leadership Exursions

Tuakana Trainings

Summit Day, Village Connect, Drop-in Centres, Ako Camp & Graduation.

Our weekly Wednesday Mahele

General Meetings

Other Tula’i Events

You must complete and pass Recruitment and Induction Processes such as:

Our recruitment form

An interview with the Tula’i team

Referee and teacher checks

NZ Police Vetting

Our Tuakana Leadership journey is an extension of the Tula’i Ngaue movement. Graduates from Tula’i Ngāue apply for a chance to further their leadership by becoming the Tuakana Youth Leaders for future cohorts. This reciprocal movement is integral to the delivery of Tula’i Ngāue as Tuakana act as the older sibling to future Teina (our chorts) by facilitating workshops, delivering key events, designing relevant methods of engagement and mentoring our students.

AIM

We aim to create strong, prosperous leaders rooted in culture and safe practice who are capable to lead and mentor Pasifika youth in any space and community.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective is to build the capabilities of Tuakana through best practice stratagies pertaining to health & safety, professionalism, youth engagement, community innovation, facilitation & public speaking.

We also ensure to foster their experience as a Tula’i Ngāue graduate and continue to build a strong foundation in Pacific values, identity and leadership to create a safe and supportive space for future cohorts and other Tula’i initiatives.

OUTCOMES

By the end of their journey, Tuakana will be able to:

  • Demonstrate increased leadership capability, including confidence in public speaking, facilitation, and working effectively with rangatahi.

  • Show strengthened critical engagement and critical thinking across diverse areas such as local community issues, Pacific diaspora, and the wider Pacific region.

  • Display improved teamwork, communication, and collective action, leading group projects and programme initiatives positively.

  • Recognise and apply the importance of health and safety to create safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for young people.

  • Develop a strong sense of community, belonging, and collaboration as part of the Tuakana cohort.

  • (For Third-Year Tuakana) Build advanced confidence in networking, presenting, and representing the organisation, while deepening their knowledge and practice of philanthropy and leadership.

Before Tulai, I was probably one of the quietest people you could meet. I rarely put myself in uncomfortable situations, I never wanted to be a leader, and I hated public speaking. Four years later and here I am, helping teach students to be proud leaders. If there's one thing I've learned over the past four years, it's that even when you're scared, you should do it anyway.

One thing I have learnt during my time with the team is never hold yourself back out of fear. Tulai has taught me to always lead with my values at heart and to always be open to new opptotunities. Tulai has been a place of support throughout such big moments in my life.