Talavou Village Leadership Group (TVLG)

Empowering Pasifika Youth through Co-Design and Leadership

The Talavou Village Leadership Group (TVLG) was established by Village Collective as a youth-led initiative created to amplify Pasifika youth voices, strengthen community leadership, and ensure that young people remain at the center of programs and decision-making that affect them. 

Born from a shared vision of empowering the next generation, TVLG was co-designed by young Pasifika leaders who wanted to reimagine what leadership and community engagement could look like within their own cultural and local contexts. Village Collective supported this process by creating a platform where youth could shape programs, lead projects, and represent their peers in authentic and culturally grounded ways.

The group's creation was drive by three key goals:

• Empowerment: Providing Pasifika youth with opportunities to lead, learn, and influence meaningful change in their communities. 
• Co-Design: Encouraging youth to take part in the creation and implementation of initiatives, ensuring programs are by youth, for youth.
• Connection: Building a network of young leaders across South Auckland who share a passion for community, culture, and wellbeing. 

Through collaborative workshops, leadership training, and community activations, the TVLG co-designed several impact initiatives that reflect the realities and aspirations of Pasifika youth today. Their ideas informed everything from youth nights and wellbeing workshops to creative media projects and community events that blend cultural pride with modern expression. 

At the heart of TVLG's journey is the Village Collective Hub - a physical and cultural home base where youth feel seen, valued, and supported. This hub became the testing ground for ideas co-created by the leadership group, providing a safe space for exploration, learning and connection. 

The leaders actively contribute to weekly midweek planning sessions, where they collaborate with Village Collective staff to design upcoming events, workshops, and activities. Their involvement ensures that every program is relevant, engaging, and reflective of the needs of Pasifika youth. Checkmates - regular peer-led meetings - allow members to reflect on past events, discuss improvements, and plan leadership opportunities reinforcing accountability and growth within the group. 

The leadership group also takes an active role in events, facilitating youth nights, hosting workshops, and leading cultural or wellbeing initiatives. By taking ownership of these projects, TVLG members develop professional and life skills, strengthen their confidence, and create meaningful impact within their communities. Their work demonstrates the transformative power of youth-led action, showing that when young people are given tools, mentorship, and space to lead, they can inspire change not just for themselves, but for their wider community. 

What began as a small group of motivated young leaders has now evolved into a thriving network of youth activators, driving Village Collective's mission forward. The success of TVLG demonstrates the power of trust, co-design, and community ownership - when young people lead, they build confidence, capacity, and a stronger, healthier village for all.