Moana Vā was established to identify and address the needs for Pacific Rainbow+ LGBTQIA+ MVPFAFF+ (mahu, vakasalewa, palopa, fa’afafine, akava’ine, fakaleiti (leiti), fakafifine) communities in the Canterbury Region.
They aim to provide support, advocacy and mentorship of their Pacific Rainbow+ communities, and acknowledge the challenge of living in a region that is systemically conservative, enabling unconscious racial bias and stereotypes of our community members.
Pacific Rainbow+ communities are rebuilding, and Moana Vā is the conduit by which they may connect or reconnect, share aspirations, goals, stories and create narratives to be heard and pass on to their future allies. Moana Vā will do this not only by being a support group but also a provider of information and access to services addressing the needs of their community.