(Picture caption: Le Va has taken top honours in the Impact category of the Diversity Awards NZ 2023, recently held in Auckland.)
Le Va, a leading Pacific primary prevention organisation in Aotearoa, has received the top honour for the Diversity Awards NZ Impact category.
The award recognised Le Va’s achievements in developing and supporting the Pacific mental health and addiction workforce with its Te Whatu Ora funded Futures that Work scholarship programme.
Since 2009, Futures that Work has been life-changing for more than 700 Pacific students who have gone on to work in a wide range of careers supporting the mental wellbeing and improving health outcomes of our Pacific communities.
The scholarships go beyond financial support, offering students mentoring and pastoral care, as well as tools to help them reach their study goals.
Le Va Senior Manager for Disability and Public Health Ben Tameifuna says the organisation is honoured to walk alongside the other nominees for the award, in celebrating the work being done to create a more inclusive society in Aotearoa.
“Receiving the Impact Award is such an honour and will inspire us to continue this important mahi to ensure our communities get the best possible outcomes,” Ben says.
Diversity Awards NZ is the most significant awards programme in Aotearoa New Zealand to celebrate excellence in workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.
These awards showcase organisations like Le Va who put people at their heart, creating better outcomes for our communities.
The Impact Award goes to a private or non-profit organisation that intentionally works towards building a more equitable workplace and a more inclusive society.
Le Va is valued a partner of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) with various initiatives, including the Toloa Scholarships and Vaka of Stories.
The Ministry congratulates Le Va on its hard work and success at the recent awards.