A hub to connect, support and empower youth.
The power of collaboration to deliver meaningful impact.
The opening of Le Malaga o Moanaroa youth hub in Porirua. February 2022.
Poipoia te kakano, kia puawai. Tausi le fatu na totō, ina ia tupu ma ola matagofie. Nurture the seed and it will blossom.
The opening of Le Malaga o Moanaroa may have taken place on a cool, decidedly grey day but the proceedings are peppered with vibrant colour, a spirited kapa haka performance and deeply moving speeches. Much more than just a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the opening of this inclusive youth hub is a coming together of the community rallying in support for Porirua's youth.
An inclusive youth hub
The result of many years of hard mahi, the hub was initially conceptualised by trained teacher, Saviiey Aliiva'a Nua when studying her masters in education on solutions for positive youth development. At the time, there were no spaces dedicated for rainbow youth, who often had to travel long distances to Wellington city to receive the support they required. “When I was a schoolkid in Porirua, I felt there was nowhere to go,” says Saviiey, “Having grown up, graduated and studied some years on, there still wasn’t anything – so I sought to change that.”
The opening of Le Malaga o Moanaroa youth hub in Porirua. February 2022.
The hub became a project of Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust; a Pasifika and Māori owned organisation creating avenues to address disparities faced in Porirua and the wider Wellington region, of which Saviiey is Chair.
Embodying its name, which means 'the journey of Tagata Moana', symbolising the oneness and connection we all have through shared oceans, the hub, which welcomes all, aims to bring youth together to promote belonging, the arts, education, professional development and community service. The space is purposefully open plan to inspire collaboration and the discovery of new interests and is adorned with fun decorations.
“Our hub doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to the youth who hang out here,” says Saviiey, “It is not up to us to decide what is a safe space – they create safety through being here, making friends and making it their own.”
The opening of Le Malaga o Moanaroa youth hub in Porirua. February 2022.
A ripple effect
“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.
Nikau Foundation was thrilled to support the opening of Le Malaga o Moanaroa in collaboration with Wellington Community Trust and Porirua City Council. Nikau Foundation Executive Director, Alice Montague says, “it was great to work with WCT and the council to fund the opening of his hub. It just shows the power of collaboration in delivering meaningful impact to our communities.”
