Meet the Founder
Dr Tahere Talaina Si'isi'ialafia-Mau
Born and raised in Samoa, Tahere brings together a lifelong commitment to Pacific communities with professional experience spanning research, community development, youth advocacy and development, health, education, governance, policy, organisational development, and culturally relevant and responsive practice.
Over the past twenty years, she has held numerous leadership, governance, and advisory roles across community, regional, and international settings. Her contributions have spanned governance boards, advisory committees, working groups, constitutional review processes, and Pacific and global networks, where she has provided strategic leadership and supported initiatives focused on development, policy, equity, youth leadership, and community wellbeing. She served as a Board Member of the Pacific Youth Council from 2012 to 2017 and as Chairperson from 2017 to 2024.
The establishment of Le Lā-'Afa represents the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration. Following the completion of her doctoral studies, Tahere established Le Lā-'Afa as a platform to bring together her expertise, networks, and commitment to Pacific development through research, consultancy, and culturally responsive services. Through Le Lā-'Afa, she seeks to contribute to meaningful and sustainable change across Aotearoa and the Pacific by supporting organisations, communities, and development partners to navigate complexity, strengthen capability, and realise opportunities for growth and impact.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Otago
Master of Social Work, University of the West Indies
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Psychology), University of the South Pacific
The Meaning Behind the Name
A Fōlauga Shaped by People, Place, and Service
The name Le Lā-'Afa is inspired by the Samoan proverb:
“A fisaga le matagi, sisi le lā fala. A lutaluta le tai, sisi le lā 'afa.”
When the breeze is light and gentle, raise the pandanus sail. When the seas are rough, raise the sennit sail.
The proverb holds personal significance. It reflects a disposition towards people, place, service, and meaningful change, and a worldview that continues to shape a way of being, leadership, and professional practice.
The establishment of Le Lā-'Afa Research & Consultancy Hub marks an important milestone in that journey, bringing together years of learning, service, relationships, and experience into a long-held aspiration and vision.
GUIDING PHILOSOPHY
“A fisaga le matagi, sisi le lā fala. A lutaluta le tai, sisi le lā 'afa."
When the breeze is light and gentle, raise the pandanus sail. When the seas are rough, raise the sennit sail.
Le Lā-'Afa is anchored in this wisdom.
The proverb reminds us that different circumstances call for different strengths.
Impactful research, consultancy, and translation begin with understanding context, exercising discernment, and applying the knowledge, skills, relationships, and approaches most appropriate to the situation at hand.
Our Philosophy in Practice
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We listen before we act, building trust with clients, leaders, communities, and organisations so that decisions and practice are well informed.
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One-size-fits-all is not our approach. We recognise that every client, community, organisation, and challenge requires its own response.
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We ensure that our practice is culturally responsive and safe, evidence informed and grounded in relationships. We support clients to navigate complexity with confidence while ensuring decisions remain practical, credible, and fit for purpose.
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We draw on a diverse network of Pacific capabilities with the appropriate knowledge, skills, experience, and perspectives to inform service delivery and strengthen outcomes.
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We engage in ongoing learning, critical reflection, and adaptation to strengthen practice, improve outcomes, and ensure our work remains responsive to changing contexts, emerging knowledge, and community realities.