About Us – TONGAN YOUTH TRUST

OUR STORY

Created in 1996 and established in 1997, To’utupu Tonga Trust/Tongan Youth Trust became a charitable trust with the provision of a group of practitioners who were eager and passionate about Tongan youth. This group’s focus here at Tongan Youth Trust was to accommodate Tongan youth and families who have difficulty with settling effectively in the context of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Today at Tongan Youth Trust, we live by this purpose of supporting our Tongan kainga in New Zealand by providing services which contribute greatly to their families.

The Trust moved onto wider community projects, extensive partnership, and strong networks and helping thoughts of young people. Today, To’utupu Tonga Trust/Tongan Youth Trust features projects and services which have been nurturing and delivering support for our Tongan youth and their families for over 20 years. These services are not limited to only Tongans but are open to all Pasifika.

Tongan Youth Trust aims to produce quality changes in the educational life of Pasifika youth. We believe that equipping youth and families with vital tools will benefit their journey in life and become good citizens of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The provision of foundation from Tongan Youth Trust is to restore hope and guide our kainga so that they may have a healthy, productive and rewarding life.

Our Mission

At Tongan Youth Trust, we believe that equipping our Tongan and Pasifika youth and their families with the knowledge, wisdom and courage will enable them to thrive within our communities and to seek their full potential within the world.

Our team at Tongan Youth Trust originates from various backgrounds and ethnicities, however the work we do as a team is to priorities the needs of our young generations and their kainga. To make an impact in enhancing the wellbeing of vulnerable Tongan youth and their famili, through building confidence, equity, leadership, and a viable education. We create support projects to ensure an understandable result for their future. We have staff who can assist in providing information for parents who struggle with meeting and understanding the needs of the young people in their homes

OUR TEAM

TYT STAFF MEMBERS

REV. IKILIFI POPE

CEO/FOUNDER

iki.pope@tonganyout

h.org.nz

BETTY SOI

MANAGER

betty.soi@tonganyout

h.org.nz

LAVINIA VEA’ILA

PROJECT

COORDINATOR –

CHCH

lavinia.veaila@tonga

nyouth.org.nz

JOHN TAGI

PROJECT

COORDINATOR –

AUCK

john.tagi@tonganyou

th.org.nz

REV. IKILIFI POPE

CEO/FOUNDER

iki.pope@tonganyouth.org.nz

BETTY SOI

MANAGER

betty.soi@tonganyouth.org.nz

LAVINIA VEA’ILA

PROJECT COORDINATOR – CHCH

lavinia.veaila@tonganyouth.org.nz

JOHN TAGI

PROJECT COORDINATOR – AUCK

john.tagi@tonganyouth.org.nz

LATU FONUA

PROJECT COORDINATOR – WEST

AUCK

latu.fonua@tonganyouth.org.nz

SUSANNA VAILEA

AKOLELEI EDUCATION PROGRAM

COORDINATOR

susanna.vailea@tonganyouth.org.nz

KALISI FIFITA

ASSISTANT AKOLELEI EDUCATION

PROGRAMMER

MELE ONGOLEA

ASSISTANT

LATU FONUA

PROJECT COORDINATOR – WEST

AUCK

latu.fonua@tonganyouth.org.nz

SUSANNA VAILEA

AKOLELEI EDUCATION PROGRAM

COORDINATOR

susanna.vailea@tonganyouth.org.nz

KALISI FIFITA

ASSISTANT AKOLELEI EDUCATION

PROGRAMMER

MELE ONGOLEA

ASSISTANT

MELE HEIMATOTO

COMMUNITY LIAISON

mele.heimatoto@tonganyouth.org.nz

DAISY FUAVAO

MEDIA

LATAI SAKALIA

ASSISTANT

SOSEFO PILIU

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR

sosefo.piliu@tonganyouth.org.nz

MELE HEIMATOTO

COMMUNITY LIAISON

mele.heimatoto@tonganyouth.org.nz

DAISY FUAVAO

MEDIA

LATAI SAKALIA

ASSISTANT

SOSEFO PILIU

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR

sosefo.piliu@tonganyouth.org.nz

Our Mentor

Tongan Youth Trust has Takaua Youth Mentors currently studying at university (ages 19-24). We also have mentors who are experienced in specific academic areas. These mentors offer support, skills in your study, help with you homework or if you need to talk with someone

MENTORS