Moana Vā
We are a Pacific Collective addressing the need for a tangible community connection, support, advocacy, and mentorship for Pacific Rainbow LGBTQIA+ MVPFAFF+.
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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.
CelebrationMoana 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.
CollectivismA ‘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.
FamilyThis 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. -
Contact
For any enquiries please contact our Operations
Phone: 021 416 347
Office: 2 Dundas Street DMC, Building, Level 1, Christchurch Central City,
Ōtautahi Christchurch 8011
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
Mission
To 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.
