Lālanga Approach

We help school leaders to drive their Māori-Pasifika student attendance, engagement, and success with our Lālanga ToolBox, Lālanga FUTURES mentoring program and Technology.

Our Story.

During the Covid-19 lockdown in August 2020 our founder Lesieli was scrolling through Facebook and came across a post from the Ministry of Education asking the community if they had innovative ideas that would help dis-engaged, struggling Maori and Pasifika student impacted by the interruptions from the pandemic. That moment was the beginning of the Lālanga story, born out of a strong desire to help our young people get the full benefit of the most powerful tool to help them succeed, education.  

We have achieved so much since launching Lālanga in December 2020, but there is still so much work to do! 

Our 2 year target was to reach 120 kids in one decile one school. We are reached over 3,000 students in 15 schools in Auckland through our work. 

We are humbled every day to be doing this work. We love it! Our resolve and vision is stronger than ever. 2022 has been great, but I know 2023 will be our best year ever! We are ready for it!

Inspired by Lālanga.

The creation of the Lālanga program has been inspired by the Tongan principles and values of the metaphor of Lālanga (weaving) in relation to Tongan mats (Fala). The Tongan Fala has been described as “ancient koloa or treasure” and although Fala is highly valued in Tongan culture, it is the process of lālanga (weaving); the weaving together of the many strands to create the Fala, the commitment, patience, skill and intentionality you bring as a weaver, the fellowship that occurs when you weave with others, and the pride that comes from completing a fala that creates the value. The meaning, principals and cultural values from Lālanga is the foundation of our health and wellbeing mentoring program.

Our Values.

Lālanga

We understand that we cannot succeed alone. We work together with our ‘Village’ to ensure the success of those we serve.

Innovation

We blaze our own trail and think outside of the box. In everything we do we ask ourselves "what has been done and how can we do it better?"

Excellence

If not excellence than what? If not excellence now then when? We pursue excellence in all areas.

Leadership & Integrity

We have the boldness and courage to do what others are not. We lead with integrity at all times.

Servanthood

At the heart of everything we do is remembering the opportunity we have been given to serve our community.

Agility

In our planning and delivery we value agility. Entrepreneurial in spirit, we respond quickly and meaningfully, creating new growth opportunities.

Meet the founders.

  • FOUNDER & CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER (CVO)

    Lesieli’s role in Lālanga is to carry fiercely, courageously and passionately the vision of Lālanga.

    Lesieli is a proud Tongan and comes from the villages of Tatakamotonga and Tu'anuku. She is a mother of four and proud wife of 16 years to the Chief Problem Solver of Lālanga, Daniel Oliver.

    Lesieli attributes her success, drive and determination to the struggles she watched her family go through after migrating to New Zealand from Tonga when she was 4.

    The inspiration to create Lālanga has come from her own experiences of the challenges Pacific learners experience in relation to education, life and wellbeing. She was the child who regularly went to school without lunch, was impacted by the financial challenges of her parents, carried the responsibility as the oldest sibling of caring for her younger siblings, and found it hard to embrace her cultural identity growing up in a western world.

    Lesieli is currently conducting her Masters Research, studing digital solutions to increase success for Maori-Pasifika students. Her research focus has been driven by her determination to find a digital solution to improve the student truancy, wellbeing and academic challenges facing our Maori and Pasifika students.

    Lesieli is savvy, multipassionate, and attributes this to her cultural heritage.

  • CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER (CT0)

    Dan’s heart for Pacific people began when he went on his first Missions Trip to Tonga with the Salvation Army when he was 17. He is now the proud husband of a Tongan, and also proud father to his four young European-Tongan children.

    Dan has an extensive background in Technology, research and business management. He has 20 years experience as the Director of Unify DIgital, which is a business he began 16 years. As a Managing Director he has a demonstrated history of working in the information technology, software, cyber security and services industry.

    Dan is currently our lead designer and teacher for our Lālanga FUTURES mentoring program. FUTURES is focused on enabling Māori-Pasifika students with the technological skills they need to succeed in the future of technology.

Other programs and workshops.

  • Familiarises students with the technologies of the future.

    Inspiries and educates students to grow in their technological capability.

    Develops the soft skills students need to succeed in the future e.g Resilience, Teamwork, Problem solving, Confidence, Mindset and grit.

    Provides good quality teaching to drive learning and engagement.

    Provides a safe and supportive environment for students to grow and learn.

  • The impact of social media on the health, wellbeing, learning and safety of our young children is very harmful.

    Our social media workshop enables your students with the confidence and tools they need to succeed online and offiline.

  • The future of technology is fast approaching us. We give students first hand experience of virtual reality, inspiring them of how they can be part of the exciting future of Virtual Reality.

Let’s talk about your school.

We’d love to chat about how we can work together, book a call with our founder Lesieli.