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My grandfather was the navigator and pathfinder: Iosefo Joseph Fa'afiu MNZM
Grace
Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist
31
December 2024
Iosefo Joseph Fa'afiu, founder of the HopeWalk suicide prevention movement, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to mental health, youth, and the Pacific community.
Fa'afiu has received many other awards including a Minister of Health Volunteer Award 2022, Kiwibank Local Hero Medal, 2017 and the Sunpix Pacific Community Leader of the Year 2016.
"When I read the email, I thought it was a fake. It was a surprise, and I still feel humbled and overwhelmed, I don't know who nominated me, but I'd like to say thank you," Fa'afiu said.
Fa'afiu is from the villages of Faleapuna and Satuimalufilufi in Samoa and grew up in East Auckland, in state housing.
Fa'afiu acknowledged his grandfather, Fa'afiu Setefano, who came to New Zealand in the 1970s.
"He was the navigator and the pathfinder for us and the reason why we are here today."
Fa'afiu and his wife created HopeWalk Suicide Awareness after they lost a close friend to suicide.
"In 2010, Ebuny sadly took her life the week we had dinner with her two days before she took her life; she was a mother of three girls and a wife.
"Everything seemed normal, and that started the movement to have a conversation about how to make our people safe.
In 2015, the movement's groundwork started with talks, and the first activation started with a walk.
"That's where the name came from, it was a walk for hope, to give people hope that you can talk.
In 2016, Fa'afiu posted about their initiative on social media, and three thousand people responded. Over eight years approximately 100,000 people have participated in HopeWalk events worldwide, which started in South Auckland.
"From there, the snowball effect started there, where a lot of others wanted to join; it has grown and gone as far as Australia, America, the UK, the Pacific islands, Canada, and Brazil.
"We Pacific Islanders can be passionate but also secretive about mental health. We want to discuss it in a safe way to find better solutions."
Fa'afiu has worked with the Pacific Advisory Unit for the New Zealand Police, in South Auckland, and the Counties Manukau Pacific Advisory Board.
He has also written two children's books about anti-bullying and identity and is the founder of the "Inspire" Youth Leadership Programme.
The New Year's Birthday Honours list below:
To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Debra Mary Delores Sorensen - for services to Pacific health
To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Iosefo Fa'afiu - for services to mental health, youth and the Pacific community
Anne Maria Fitisemanu - for services to business
Shelley Aroha Katae - for services to Māori and Pacific communities
Tania Mateohorere-Carole Pouwhare - for services to Māori and Pacific communities, and the environment
To be Companions of the King's Service Order:
Moeapulu Frances Eileen Tagaloa - for services to survivors of abuse in care
The King's Service Medal
Vaine Puapii Elia - for services to the Cook Islands community
Rouruina Emile-Brown - for services to the Cook Islands community
Hans Allen Key - for services to health and safety and Pacific communities
Peter Fala Aperila Leilua - for services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples
Tiliilagi Leilua - for services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples
Teremoana Terepai - for services to the Pacific community and seniors
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