Strong Pasifika leadership begins with knowing who we are.

At the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika, Tapasā hosted Indigenous Leadership: Governance Across the Pacific - a transformative talanoa exploring the ancestral leadership systems of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Niue. The gathering brought together an intergenerational mix of people, from emerging youth leaders to established community figures, all united by one purpose: to reconnect with the ancient wisdom that has always guided our people.

Professor Lemoa Henry S. Fesuluai opened the day with reflections on the Samoan Matai system, explaining the roles of traditional chiefs and orators and how these systems ensured that every family and village voice was heard. He reminded us that the Matai title was never about authority alone, but about service — protecting and uplifting one’s aiga. That same principle, he noted, can help Pacific communities navigate life and leadership in Aotearoa today.

Dr Anna Tolia Ulakai-Cullen shared the beauty of the Tongan Fahu system and how it shapes leadership and respect within Tongan families and the Royal household. She spoke of Tonga’s rare history of never being colonised, the strength of its cultural protocols, and how women are placed at the forefront of family and societal leadership through the sacred role of Fahu. Her kōrero highlighted that balance and respect — not dominance — are the true markers of leadership.

From Fiji, Alipate Traill explored the i Tutu Vakavanua, the traditional governance structures that connect Fijians to land, artistry, and community. Through stories of his lineage and creative work with Te Mana Academy, he described the i Tavi Vakavanua — the artisans of the land — who reflect the value of stewardship through craft, care, and service. “Our identity isn’t separate from our artistry or our leadership,” he said. “They’re all part of the same genealogy of responsibility.”

Asetoa Sam Pilisi then took the audience to Niue, tracing the island’s governance roots and the leadership values that invite all voices to the table, regardless of title. He spoke of Niueans’ deep sense of personal freedom balanced with collective responsibility, a philosophy that continues to define their community and leadership today.

As the day unfolded, one message echoed across every conversation: governance is not foreign to Pacific people. Long before Western systems arrived, our ancestors had already developed complex structures to ensure balance, accountability, and care. Those systems — grounded in respect for land, people, and relationships — continue to hold answers for the challenges we face today.

It was heartening to see Atafa o le Moana youth leaders seated proudly at the front, absorbing each story with wide eyes and open notebooks. Around them, elders, educators, and community leaders nodded in recognition, many reflecting on their own experiences of cultural leadership. By the time the panel opened to questions, the room was buzzing — people eager to connect, share, and imagine what Indigenous governance might look like in the modern world.

MC Sisifa Gigi Lui carried the energy beautifully, weaving the stories together with warmth and humour, while Teine Siva Academy’s vibrant performance added rhythm and joy to the day.

As the event closed, one challenge lingered in everyone’s hearts: how can we carry the knowledge and strength of our ancestral systems into the leadership spaces we occupy today?

Our ancestors didn’t just survive — they led. They built systems that valued connection over control, care over competition. Leadership isn’t something new to Pacific people. It’s something we are born into. And now, it’s our turn to remember and reimagine it for the generations to come.