About the workshops

Based on the intergenerational lifecycle model of ‘tautua’ (service) by Fa’aea & Enari (2021), these workshops explore the Samoan tautua lifecycle. O Le Ala I Le Pule O Le Tautua –The Pathway to Leadership is through Service. These workshops explore the three stages of servanthood: Serving to Serve, Serving to Lead, and Leading to Serve.

The workshops provide practical and reflective opportunities to understand and apply cultural aspects of service and leadership across diverse educational and organisational settings.

Develop an understanding of tautua (service) as a cultural principle, centred on service and its transformative potential in education and leadership.

We also offer an in-house Pacific Cultural Centredness course for those wishing to further develop their understanding of Pacific cultural values and principles, and strategies to engage learners.

Workshop 1 | Pacific leadership principles | Serving to serve: The heart of tautua

This workshop explores the cultural principle of ‘tautua’ (service), a cornerstone of Pacific identity and leadership. Participants will explore how service is deeply ingrained as a sacred act of reciprocity and respect.

This workshop highlights the transformative power of tautua as a mindset that fosters collaboration, and a deeper sense of purpose in personal and professional life.

Workshop 2 | Pacific leadership principles | Serving to lead: Leadership through service

Drawing on Pacific traditions, participants will engage with the values of humility, empathy and collective responsibility that define servant leadership. Learn how to embody the principles of ‘tautua’ (service) in your leadership practice, prioritising the needs of communities and teams. This workshop invites participants to shift from authority-based models to relational, service-centred leadership inspired by Pacific cultural values.

Workshop 3 | Pacific leadership principles | Leading to serve: Oriented leadership

Leadership in Pacific cultures is not an indiviual pursuit, but a collective journey anchored in the principles of ‘tautua’ (service). This workshop invites leaders to reflect on their roles as stewards of their communities, emphasising cultural focus to lead with service at the heart. The workshop prepares participants to sustain leadership practices that honour cultural values while addressing the needs of diverse communities.

Who are these workshops for?

These workshops are for educators and leaders, both emerging and established leaders, in Pacific and non-Pacific communities to enhance cultural capability, promote inclusive leadership practices and strengthen pedagogical strategies.

About the facilitators

Facilitator Pale Sauni

Pale Sauni

Ako Aotearoa’s Pacific Priorities and Cultural Leader, Pale was born in Samoa and has had all his formal education in Aotearoa New Zealand. He is a highly experienced workshop facilitator focusing on a range of topics to better engage with Pacific communities and learners.

Pale uses humour, song, activities and role-play to engage workshop participants and build their cultural capability.

Facilitator Saylene Ulberg

Saylene Ulberg

Saylene has an adult education teaching background and is currently completing a Music degree. Saylene is an extremely capable facilitator in the area of cultural centred pathways bringing a freshness to greetings, pronunciation and talanoa. 

Saylene lives her life based on Pacific values and she will show how these values really matter in terms of engaging Pacific learners. 

Free self-directed content

In addition to the live workshop, participants will have access to self-directed content available through the Ako Aotearoa Pacific Cultural Centredness Pathway on Pathways Awarua. This complementary content will allow you to explore the topic in greater depth at your own pace and in your own time, reinforcing the practical skills and knowledge gained during the workshop.

Special rate available

You can register for each of the workshops individually. 

A special rate is available for those who register for all three workshops. Select the 'Three-workshop series' option when registering online!

Register online now

Please read these Terms and Conditions before registering for events.

Taking that next step in your professional learning and development is easy with Ako Aotearoa. Everything is evidence-based, practical, high-quality, effective and sustainable.

Our range of PLD workshops and courses can be delivered online or face-to-face, many with digital badges awarded on completion:

  1. In-house Learning and Development
    We can deliver in-house professional development targeted to your needs. For face-to-face options, we can come to you. Contact us to discuss your needs and budget.
  2. Public Online Workshops
    Register for one of our public workshops scheduled throughout the year. So many topics to choose from!