Global Pasifika Success Podcast

Jason Venu is the Founder and MD of Coversure Insurance. South Auckland-raised and of Samoan descent, Jason jumped out of employee-mode and into entrepreneur-mode following an insurance career spanning over 10 years. Coversure is now an award-winning and global operation, all sparked from Jason's insatiable curiosity, courage to reach out for help, and a deep desire to ensure people "live life, covered". Jason spends a large chunk of his time in the Philippines, where amidst his business dealings, he also runs charitable programs such as sponsoring sports teams and feeding the homeless!As always, he has an incredible team led by his family, wife Pam and a group of superstar mentors. Tune in.CoverSure LinkedIn: Coversure NZ: Overview | LinkedInJason Venu LinkedIn: Jason Venu | LinkedIn

Willie Leota is a Christchurch-based mortgage broker who is passionate about helping people achieve home ownership and wealth creation. Willie's pathway to his dream career has seen him work at various financial institutions in and amongst pursuing a rugby career in NZ and abroad. Interestingly, Willie and his wife also sold all of their belongings and headed to Samoa to volunteer with Samoa Victim Support Group and other ministries. LinkedIn: Willie Leota | LinkedInInstagram: instagram.com/willie_leota | www.instagram.com/pasifikahomebuyersThanks Willie!! 

Fiso John Fiso (ONZM) is the Director of Fiso Investment Group based in Wellington NZ – a private Pacific fund that focuses on property development, health, education, hospitality, wellness and imports/exports. The son of migrant parents from Samoa, John was raised in Wellington and attended the almighty Rongotai College before moving to Dunedin to study phys-ed and economics at Otago University. After teaching for a few years, John spotted a barrier to Pasifika education that he believed he could overcome so he ventured into setting up the NZ Institute of Sport – a private training education that provided pathways for tertiary studies. After almost 20 years, John sold this entity for $19.3M in 2015 and is now involved in all sorts of business ventures across the globe.Testament to the mark he's made in our Pasifika and Maori communities, as well as the broader population, John was awarded Wellingtonian of the Year in 2017 and Officer of the NZ Order of Merit in 2016 for services to Education Sport and the Pacific Community.Credit to REBECCA AMA and MANAWISE Group's own Systems Guru PALA FONOTI for the introduction and making it happen. Fa'afetai tele lava.

Lana Carter  is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Lavenia Law - a law firm that is focused on wills and legacy planning. Lana was born and raised in Porirua Wellington and is of Samoan and Maori heritage. She now resides in Brisbane with her husband and two kids. Following the death of her mother at just 44 years of age and her experience at her mother's funeral, Lana has focused her professional life on ensuring people's wishes and legacy are clearly articulated, protected, executed and legally-binding! Lana is insightful and knowledgeable about her area of law, but also deeply empathetic and simple in how she explains her work. Outside of mahi, Lana likes to hang with her family, serves on a health board and lifts heavy things (the Porirua Powerlifter!) Tune in!www.lavenialaw.com.auhttps://www.instagram.com/lavenialaw www.facebook.com/lavenialaw.com.au  

 Tovia Va'aelua is husband to Linda and a father of four. He is a technology expert with over 20 years of experience across the globe. Falling into tech after graduating from university with an education degree, Tovia climbed the ranks in NZ across companies such as Datacom and Microsoft before relocating to the Philippines to take up a leadership position at Microsoft. Having achieved his professional and family goals there, he returned to NZ and pivoted within tech and is now the VP of Sales for Tech for Good within Crayon. Tovia now assists for-purpose organizations to embed technology to enable their success.Tovia's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tovia-va-aelua-b603964Website: www.crayon.comPasifikaInIT: http://www.pasifikainit.org/Humble, excellent, and a family man of faith. Tune In! 

Kale is of Maori heritage and was born in Brisbane Australia. From his own account, he had a pretty rough upbringing in Australia and it sounds like his saving grace was his mother's decision to relocate to Clyde in Central Otago NZ to get away start afresh. Kale seemed to have thrived in Clyde at school and through uni and then went onto become a PT.Kale's had crazy success since with a really popular story being that he started a gym with his cousins with $200 to raising $220K in just 14 days before the gym had even opened. With numbers like this, it's no surprise that Kale was headhunted by global giants Tik Tok and Microsoft to help with their brands, and he now owns 3 businesses: K&J Growth, Rugby Bricks and Hakune. These businesses have offices as far afield as LA, Amsterdam and of course Dunedin.Follow Kale for easy-to-follow tips on success, entrepreneurship, marketing and more at these links:Kale Panoho (LinkedIn): Kale Panoho | LinkedInK&J Growth: Growth Hacking & Digital Marketing Agency Los Angeles - K&J Growth (kjgrowth.com)RugbyBricks: Rugby Bricks - Kicking Tees, Tips, Training, PodcastsHakune: Start, Build and Grow Your Business with Hakune

Keven is a former All Black captain and the third All Black centurion in history - a record that speaks to his physical, mental and spiritual fortitude. One of the toughest to play the game, Keven's humility and character reflects a loving family upbringing and environment. Post-playing Keven went into business opening his own Fit60 gym in South Auckland with another business alongside wife Latai in the making.Those who know him would all say that Keven personifies the All Blacks mantra that great people make great All Blacks: testament to a desire to be the best and deliver his best at all times! A father of two, Keven provides insights into how he has achieved sustained success on and off the field. Compelling listening from a great of the game of rugby, and even better bloke! Fa'afetai tele lava Keven and aiga!FIT60 | Auckland | Facebook

Rama was born in Fiji, raised in New Zealand and is currently the Director of Rugby Development at Georgia Rugby Union.Rama has lived across the globe mostly via rugby across Europe, Australia, Middle East, NZ and now Georgia. He was previously employed by the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia before being headhunted by Georgia Rugby.A coaches coach, Rama has great insights into fostering human potential, high-performing teams and successful systems and groups.Listen in!! Vinaka Rama and congrats t you and Beck on all of your success.

Former Flying Fijian captain Deacon Manu joins us on Ep 25. A man who has played rugby at the highest level, Deacon is proof that diverse interests and pursuits provides a robust platform for success in all areas of life. Having played nearly 70 caps for the mighty Waikato Chiefs, Deacon left NZ for Wales where he played a whopping 154 times for the Llanelli Scarlets. It was from here he was selected to represent and captain the Fijian national team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup! An avid lifetime learner, Deacon is currently studying a research masters as a pathway to a PhD exploring Pasifika wellbeing in rugby.Deacon is also a founding member of the Pacific Rugby Players - a collective mandated to protect and safeguard the interests of Pacific rugby players across the globe. An integral part of his all-round success, Deacon attributes to his family and his faith in God.Vinaka vaka levu Deacon - congrats on all your success and God bless you in your future endeavours.Deacon Manu (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/deaconmanuPacific Rugby Players: Pacific Rugby Players – Pacific Island Rugby Players United

Meet lawyer and entrepreneur Jennifer Samuta! From a remote island village in Fiji to the helm of Samuta McComber Lawyers, Jennifer's journey is an inspiring tale of determination and success. Her migration law expertise, coupled with her commitment to empower Pasifika communities, makes her a true trailblazer. Join us as we dive into her story where hard work, family, and passion intersect. Website: Samuta McComber LawyersInstagram: @samutamccomber (www.instagram.com/samutamccomber)Facebook: www.facebook.com/samutamccomber

Max's proudest accomplishment is being Husband and father of 3. He studied Accounting while playing football and winning a national championship in Rugby at the University of Utah. Forgoing the accounting route, he went into sales and management where he was a top producer taking his office from $2M to $10M revenue in less than 4 years. After 5 years working in corporate, he took the entrepreneur leap, quit his job in 2022, founded Api Investments, sold his home and moved to Texas to pursue his dream of achieving time and financial freedom through Real Estate Investing. Within one year, he built a $9M Real Estate portfolio co-founded a national wholesale Real estate company that did near half a million revenue in year 1 and is the Host of the Clues of success podcast. Links:www.myapinvestments.commax@myapinvestments.comInsta: @themaxmoalaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maxmoalaThe Clues of Success Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-clues-of-success-podcast-hosted-by-max-moala/id1668205423

Bernard is Samoan based in Sydney and a husband and father of six. He has owned his successful insurance brokerage for almost a decade while continuing to serve and lead the Pacific community in New South Wales. Bernard's story is one of goal-setting, doing what you have to do to achieve those goals (even if it includes huge paycuts while providing for his family), and attaining goals alongside and in partnership with his wife. Tune in to hear how Bernard went from budding footy player to successful business owner while using the skills he learned from footy to excel in the boardroom.Check out Pacific Business, Sports and Entrepreneurs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pacificbusiness.pbse/Bernard's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-tuaimau-46a07a37?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BG88zlCImS1KhNeJE57PpPA%3D%3D

Dr Michael is a NZ-born Samoan academic based at BYU-Hawaii (USA). His father started the first Polynesian funeral service in Auckland, Ligaliga Funeral Services, and Michael is himself pioneering in his own life - specifically in exploring traditional Pacific knowledges and how they can add-value to contemporary and future societies. Why is this important? Because Pacific peoples are truly global citizens, living in diverse places such as Japan, England, UAE and Germany. Even in the USA - the Pacific experience on the east coast, west coast and in Hawaii is very different. Michael's work seeks to reconcile these differences through sameness.Follow Michael on LinkedIn: Michael Fusi Ligaliga, PhD | LinkedIn

Steven Gillette hustled tirelessly on the railways across Australia away from home for nearly 10 years. Using his natural abilities to foster relationships as well as a high work ethic, he then took the leap into creating his own multi-million dollar railway business. Take a listen to Steven's story of parental role-modelling, smart hustle, taking courage and the grace of God which has led him to provide for his family and set his own children up for their success. FOLLOW   Website: https://rtslabour.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rail-track-services-pty-ltd-rts/?originalSubdomain=au

Since our last show on the 21st of September 2020, we've been missing in action. Andrew takes this show to explain why the podcast was halted, he reviews some of the successes of past guests since they appeared on the podcast, and previews some of the upcoming guests.Great to be back in the swing of podcasts, and hope the stories of our amazing guests will provide some real value for your success.Fakaaue lahi!

Lani Refiti was born in Samoa, raised in NZ and now lives in Australia. A father of six, his tech career started while selling shoes at Myers in Parramatta, and from there he has consulted all over the globe in emerging tech.Until recently, Lani was Partner at Deloitte leading in Emerging Tech and is currently consulting to tech start-up companies. A thought-leader in tech, Lani is regularly interviewed on tv news for his insights, opinions and experiences in tech.Lani hails from a family of ten kids, who were all moved to NZ from Samoa by parents who had a vision for their kids, and worked hard to make it work. Tune in to hear how Lani is paying his parents back for their sacrifices & extending their legacy in lands and spaces they had never seen.A man of faith, Lani shares some stories about the grace and will of God over his life, and the impact on him! Hallelujah.Lani Refiti Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaniRefitiLani Refiti LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lrefiti/IoTSec: https://www.iotsec.net.au/ 

Leilani Tamu is an afakasi Samoan woman, born and raised in Auckland and currently Manager of Pacific Policy at MBIE (NZ). With a broad range of experiences across her hobbies, career and travels, the thread that weaves through all of these is that of tautua/service.A former diplomat, published poet, Fullbright creative alumna, columnist and social commentator and much more, Leilani is the eldest daughter of a Palagi dad and Samoan mother. She herself is a proud wife to Shane and a mother of two.Thanks Leilani for an honest and uplifting talanoa, and for all the trailblazing work you've done and that which is yet to come. Fa'afetai lava.Links:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leilani_TamuTwitter: https://twitter.com/leilanitamu?lang=enSpinoff Article: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/22-08-2020/my-childhood-was-branded-by-shame-ill-no-longer-let-it-define-me/  

Dr Siautu Alefaio-Tugia: Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Massey University (NZ).Dr Siautu has worked across education, prisons, disaster recovery (including being a lead in the COVID-19 response in NZ), health, social services and community. A practitioner and academic, she theorises and practices to re-inform psychology from Pacific-indigenous knowledge frameworks. With a PhD from Monash University, Siautu comes from a family of community servants who were early Pasifika settlers in Papakura. Her father was Faifeau of Papakura PIC and a visionary who along with his wife created community initiatives that ran from their own backyard in collaboration with other Kaumatua and community members. This is a story of a woman who leads with her heart and spirit in a discipline that focuses on (and is often limited to) the brain.Thanks Siautu, you're too awesome and we appreciate you for who you are and all you do. Links: Massey University Profile: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=954040Watson Institute Profile: https://watson.brown.edu/chrhs/people/siautu-alefaio-tugiaNIUPatCH: https://www.niupatch.com/Personal Twitter: https://twitter.com/niupsych  

Rob Poleki is an inventor & entrepreneur whose business idea was literally birthed in a restroom (WASHIE PRODUCTS).A Samoan born in NZ, raised in Hawaii and now resident in Idaho USA, Rob is following his parent's courageous footsteps by traversing places and spaces he has never been in before - with full confidence that he's going to win!Tune in to hear how this uso went from Manurewa (Sth Auckland, NZ) to elected official to entrepreneur and LinkedIn star.... and scarily, the story is just beginning for him, his wife and their four kids.Can't stop, won't stop - let's go WASHIE.Check out these links:Washie Products: https://www.washieproducts.com/Washie on Insta: www.instagram.com/washie_productsRob Poleki: https://www.linkedin.com/in/poleki/Thanks to the uso Rob Poleki for jumping on. Keep going - R E W A to the moon.#Washie #WashieProducts #RobPoleki #Idaho #Hawaii #SouthAuckland #Manurewa #inventor #entrepreneur #polypodcast #Polypreneur #PasifikaSuccess

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Australian & QLD Reds rugby) - our youngest guest at 23 years of age. An elite athlete who we've brought on because of his obvious success in sport, but also because he has proven leadership and maturity beyond his years.As the eldest of 7 kids, Lukhan's priorities are clear. Although Lukhan has hit the highest level of rugby, family still comes first, and this was proven when he famously declined Wallaby selection soon after the passing of his father to remain at home with his family.Tune in to hear about Lukhan's road to repping his country, but also his thoughts on the state of play in many other areas relevant to youth.QLD Reds: https://reds.rugby/Australian Rugby: https://australia.rugby/NZ Warriors: https://www.warriors.kiwi/Nas: https://www.nasirjones.com/Methodman: https://methodman.bandcamp.com/Cydel:https://www.youtube.com/c/GroovehouseBaby/featuredThanks Lukhan and all the best: Up the REDS (and Chiefs)

Alex Fala (Samoan-Kiwi) is a Pacific Rhodes Scholar whose held leadership positions in high-flying companies such as McKinseys,Trade Me and Les Mills International. Until recently, Alex was the CEO of Vend.An afakasi Samoan who was born in Palmerston North and grew up in Masterton and Wellington, Alex was raised in a family that valued confidence, humility, leadership and excellence. Alex graduated out of the University of Auckland with a BCom with First Class Hons, and used his Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University in England to write a thesis titled: ‘Saving the Samoan Culture: Sustainability of Gift-giving Traditions in the NZ-Samoan Community"   A captivating story of burning ambition, humility and “making big plays” Feel free to reach out to Alex via LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderfala/More info:Alex Fala: 40 Under 40: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/alumni/our-alumni/40-under-40/40-under-40--business-leaders/alex-fala.htmlSt Patricks College: https://www.stpats.school.nz/Rhodes Scholarship: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/Perform Under Pressure (Ceri Evans): https://drcerievans.nz/perform-under-pressure/?fbclid=IwAR0DiR3hggGO32U8WRxpWEDq75wraTzAAyI6yQ3H1zoenuWiE3RUgsRBWycThanks and congrats Alex & aiga!

 Karena is a Samoan-Kiwi who is currently the Vice President  & Director of Research at the East-West Center and Director of the Pacific Island Development Program (PIDP). Prior to this she worked as one of NZ's youngest ambassadors as ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau and was the Consul General to Hawaii. Karena has also represented NZ at the UN Security Council as a Negotiator, and before that worked as a commercial lawyer and worked in higher education for a period of time. An inspiring woman whose broken glass ceilings and ankles on her journey through some really pivotal positions - and the best is yet to come.East-West Center: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/PIDP:https://pidp.eastwestcenter.org

David Solomona is a former NRL (Roosters/Eels) & Super League (Wakefield/Bradford/Warrington) star, with a career that spanned over a decade. David is from great football stock - with 4 uncles playing for Samoa (including Toa Samoa's very first captain), as well as 3 family members playing in the NRL.He also had the rare distinction of playing both front-row forward as well as play-maker at the highest level for the NZ Kiwis in their win against the almighty Australian Kangaroos.David is currently working in the all-important Wellbeing and Education space supporting NRL players with post-career paths and providing pastoral care. A man of integrity, David genuinely cares about others and is the perfect fit for this role.Tune in to hear how David is giving back to the game that took him across the globe and back again, chasing a dream and an opportunity to represent and provide for his wife Utu and their three daughters.David - the walking contradiction: the laid-back yet fierce competitor and barnstorming playmaker. Damannnnn.

Noa'ia! Our first Rotuman guest Lisa was born in Fiji and her parents moved her and her siblings to NZ around the time of the 1987 coup. The coup was an volatile and unpredictable time for many in Fiji, and with the help of a generous Kiwi couple, the family relocated to NZ where her dad would work as a mechanic out in West Auckland! Lisa has worked her way up the chain at Deloitte and is now Associate Director where she is splitting her time between management, strategy and doing the mahi. One of her more recent projects is an in-house Pasifika staff network she is leading named “Pås Peau - Breaking Waves”Lisa is married to her long-time partner and together they have two children.  

Joey ‘Q' Quenga is our first guest hailing from the mighty Micronesian island of Guam. ‘Q' hails from the village of Talofofo and grew up in Long Beach California.He is the co-owner, producer, creative director, on-air personality and program director of ‘ISLAND BLOCK RADIO' based out of Hollywood, California.Island Block Radio is part of a stable of stations under the Dash Radio brand, including ones curated by Snoop Dogg, Kylie Jenner, Lil' Wayne and more.Joey was a singer of popular Pacific band ‘Cord Brown' out of Long Beach, and is a cultural, civic, business, music, entertainment leader in California.Follow FACEBOOKIsland Block Radio: https://www.facebook.com/IslandBlockRadio/On Air with Q: https://www.facebook.com/OnairwithQ/INSTAGRAM: Island Block Radio: https://www.instagram.com/islandblockradio/On Air with Q: https://www.instagram.com/onairwithq/To learn more about Micronesia:Kava Bowl Media 'Pacific Level Up 4': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uybRlJzIDg

Leilehua Fa'onevai (nee Helu) is a Tongan lawyer whose life revolves around her faith, family, and culture. Married to Taniela and a mother of one (plus one on the way), Lehua serves her community through the Pasifika Lawyers Association of Queensland, Brisbane Tongan Community, the Qld Tongan Language School and Pasifika TV and Radio (amongst others). Her area of law is the all-important native title field, dealing with land and indigeneity, and outside of that she is also a Co-Director of boutique law and migration firm Trinity York Not content with that workload, Lehua and her husband have an emerging business cultivating kava in Tonga! Lehua holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Arts (Research) from QUT.Check out all of Lehua's projects here:Trinity York Legal & Migration: www.trinityyork.com.auFeleoko ' Maui Kava: www.feleokoamaui.comPasifika Lawyers Association of QLD: www.plaqld.orgBrisbane Tongan Community: www.brisbanetongancommunity.comPasifika TV & Radio: https://www.facebook.com/pasifikatvandradio/QLD Tongan Language School: https://www.facebook.com/QLDTonganLanguageSchool/Malo 'aupito!! 

Wayne Henry is of Cook Island/Pakeha descent, raised in Manurewa, South Auckland.While Wayne admits he loved school but didn't thrive there, his quick wit, ability to read people and foster relationships, and resilience he gained from being raised in a large Cook Island family held him in great stead.Hear how Wayne left school, went to the factory floor, and eventually owned his own business scaling his initial salary by over 10x. More info:Web: www.waynehenry.co.nzInsta: @waynehenrymortgagesPh: 0800 WHENRYMeitaki Maata Wayno - proud of you my bro. 

Apollo 'The Terminator' Perelini is a dual international - having played rugby and league for Samoa. He also forged a long and successful career in the UK with St Helens Rugby League and Sale Sharks Rugby.Upon retiring he joined the Sale Sharks coaching staff, and then returned to St Helens RL as Strength & Conditioning Coach. For the past 10 years Apollo has been based in Dubai, UAE as a teacher, director of sport and entrepreneur.Hear how 'The Terminator' is still making the hits beyond the field of sport... an inspirational story of global success. From Samoa to NZ to UK to UAE.Check out Apollo on twitter, insta and facebook; and his academy (Apollo Perelini Rugby Skills Academy)  at www.aprsa.com #matautu #lefaga #manusamoa #rugby #rugbyleague #Pasifika #Samoa #PacificSuccess

Heilala was born in Fiji, raised in Fiji, UK and NZ, and now lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently the Director of Business Development & Client Engagement at Corney & Lind Law.A story of many transitions across countries, cultures, political climates and responsibilities.Find out more about Heilala at: Corney & Lind Lawyers: www.corneyandlind.com.auKingdom International Legal Network: www.kiln.online/kiln-2022 

Coach V is an author, keynote speaker & success coach to many of the USA's top brands & business leaders. Born in Tonga, raised in California, Coach V was a successful football coach before becoming a brand unto himself. He now coaches multinational corporations and high-flying business people to further their success.Follow Coach V on: Facebook http://facebook.com/coachviliami Instagram http://instagram.com/coachviliami  Twitter http://twitter.com/coachviliami  Website http://coach-v.com  

Assoc. Prof. Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa is the Pacific's first Rhodes Scholar, a prize-winning author & currently Pro Vice Chancellor at University of Auckland.Hear about his journey that took him from blue-collar Glen Innes, to the prestigious Oxford University, across to the University of Michigan, and back to Auckland to lead NZ's largest university.Knowledge bombs and insights galore - tune in.Co-hosted by Andrew Fa'avale & John Tapu

After 22 years at Sky TV, John boldly jumped out of a comfortable job and started his own broadcasting, media & agent company. Hear how he went from CSR to CEO, after leaving the zone of comfort for the zone of living.www.kavabowlmedia.com    

Host Andrew Fa'avale provides an overview of why he started the podcast, who he will be targeting to chat to, and how to access and share each show.