Our Impact

Mana Moana makes a difference in peoples lives

Right from the outset, we have been building the evidence base of Mana Moana. In 2022, a Social Impact Survey was conducted with 90 alumni of Mana Moana with a 78% response rate showing excellent results.

Testimonials from participants bear witness to Mana Moana being a transformational experience.

Social Impact Survey Results

PROFESSIONAL

100% agreed that they were more empowered in their role
98.5% changed the way they work for the better after the Mana Moana Experience
96% prototyped / applied things they learned in their professional context, for 98% of those it made a difference.
93% now had more responsibility in their job
80% of participants were encouraged to make a major positive professional life change. Of those, 90% said Mana Moana had an impact on this decision.
CULTURAL

100% of participants felt Pacific culture was celebrated in Mana Moana.
98.5% reported that their knowledge and understanding of culture grew
98.5% reported their sense of belonging and connection increased
95% of people agreed that: “Since completing the programme, I have supported others to grow their cultural knowledge and feel a sense of belonging.”
PERSONAL

100% said they have a valuable network of support
96.9% of participants said they experienced healing
95% emerged more resilient and empowered
92% addressed some of the intergenerational trauma they hold.
92% of participants agreed: “I am more open to loving and supporting close friends, family and community members, and being loved and supported in turn.”
80% said, “Yes, they were encouraged to make a major positive personal life change and 85% agreed this was impacted by the Mana Moana Experience.
COMMUNITY

100% agreed Mana Moana helped them be of service to others
97% incorporated things they learned in their community work, for 98% of those, it made a difference.
94% of participants were encouraged to make a major positive change that contributes to their community
Of those, 97% said that Mana Moana Experience had an influence upon this decision
ENVIRONMENT

92% agreed it strengthened their relationship with the natural world
85% strongly agreed or agreed that they understood issues of climate crisis better
88% strongly agreed or agreed they care more about the environment
76% strongly agreed or agreed that they do more for the environment
RESILIENCE AGAINST RACISM

98% agreed Maori culture was celebrated in Mana Moana
95% reported a better understanding of Te Tiriti and issues faced by tangata whenua
87% felt more resilient against the harm caused by racism

Testimonials

Emelita (Zee) Luisi

Co-Founder of Ranui 135, Youth Trust
Mana Moana has been a huge catalyst for change in all that we do now, removing the fears and inhibitions even if the funding is not quite there.
As a Founder-led grass roots initiative, it has been tough through the years to find the development pathways that made sense to me as Pasifika. Ones that would not only support me from a deep place, but that challenge and extend my leadership from within our indigenous value base. And be able to place this within a much wider framework of the challenges living in Aotearoa, in relation to the Pacific migration. Subsequently, I ask myself the questions – what is my responsibility as a leader who is a mokopuna of this great genesis story?
Nora Swann

Creative Entrepreneur: Nora Swann Ltd - Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, Dressed in Confidence, The Swann Modelling Agency
As a participant of the 2018 inaugural Mana Moana programme, I felt the opportunity couldn't have come at a better time for me both personally and professionally. My business was building momentum, my profile was receiving a wider reach. I was starting to have some confrontational and courageous conversations. For someone like me who worked in the fashion industry, Mana Moana helped me stay grounded especially in an industry that can easily make one stray away from their culture. I struggled with cultural identity growing up and the Mana Moana programme answered a lot of questions I had about self-representation.
Ala'imalo Falefatu Enari

Co-Principal Pacific Advance Secondary School
Right now we are the middle of indigenizing our curriculum. Being the only secondary school in Aotearoa, New Zealand set up intentionally for Pacific students – we are drawing almost one hundred percent from the Mana Moana work of Karlo Mila. Our frameworks are coming from the Taula core reference book of Mana Moana and the Vaka Guides that have been written by Dr Mila. Using this material is accelerating our progress. It puts us ahead of where we would be if these resources were not available. Mana Moana very clearly outlines what is already intrinsically there inside of us, and our ways of being.

Dr Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga

Founder and Mentor, Leadership Pacific
I have found myself transforming on so many levels. From within my heart, my soul, my mind and across my overall being. Realigning and connecting traditional knowledge to my everyday life has been powerful. It has provided me with clarity so that I can be a stronger version of myself. These internal and personal transformations have elevated my voice as a woman. I have found the confidence to stretch myself in the professional domain. I see a clear path and vision for my families and communities. I am so grateful for the Mana Moana Experience. It has gifted me with a new sense of purpose.
Zora Feilo

Fund and Programme Co-ordinator Tupumaiaga A Niue Trust
Mana Moana has touched me emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I have journeyed across the Pacific ocean with words, imagery, sounds, bringing me into alignment with pathways I feel privileged to have journeyed on. The activities and discussions have meant an exceptional learning experience and opened up my thinking about around leadership, allowing me to come home to who I am. I have learned leadership through service and ways to bring the tools gifted to us into my community work. Mana Moana has taught me more than I can ever express, allowing me to see myself, trust myself, and be myself.
Renee Dingwall

Former City Councillor, Palmerston North City Council
The Mana Moana Experience completely changed my life in more ways than I ever could have imagined. I received deep connection with my culture and was able to tune into the needs of my people and ancestors. I received alofa, support, strength and understanding from my newfound Mana Moana aiga. The Mana Moana Experience was a fully immersive, holistic, cultural experience that allowed me to examine all of my life from various different angles. It reminded me of who I am - a daughter of Samoa. It reintroduced me to my history and how my ancestors fought so that I can be here. I am forever grateful.

Mike Bridgman

Time-based arts specialist, Technical Demonstrator, Massey University
The Mana Moana Experience has galvanised my creative practice by including ancestral knowledge, Pacific values and identity to the core of my repertoire to develop different digital futures. The grounding experience in a Pasifika worldview was something my practice really needed. This internal growth has not only helped my professional life but also my role as a father, brother, son and partner. My concept of leadership has undergone a major shift, aligning my values and drive to connect, align and bring a stronger voice to the issues we face as Pacific peoples.
Florence Molimau Malama

National Manager, Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach PACO programme, Ministry of Pacific Peoples
My Mana Moana journey has been an absolute blessing. I came out feeling empowered, deepened in spirit, with a greater understanding and renewed sense about my ancestors’ journey, and the significance of my pathway in today’s contemporary world. One of my biggest learnings has been a deep dive exploration within me to understand my leadership qualities, characteristics and the belief of how valuable that is. This movement transforms lives and transcended me for the better as I continue to strengthen the understanding of my cultural wisdom, knowledge, values and how I project that as a Pasifika leader in every facet of my life.
Nina Terata Manea Oberg Humphries

Director, Tagata Moana Trust
Mana Moana has been life-changing. Meeting and being surrounded by likeminded Pacific people has been uplifting and culturally affirming in so many ways. It was like I found my crew. In our busy lives it is easy not to make time for personal growth. However, through the process I learnt how to harness my superpowers and be upfront about my needs on every level. These new abilities have shaped me into a stronger leader, equipped and energised to advocate for my community with new vigour. I now have tools rooted in ancestral knowledge wrapped in aroha that I never had before.