Pakilau Manase Lua is the Chairman of the Pacific Response Coordination Team of the Pacific Leadership Forum. 

He is an installed Matapule or talking chief for Lord Ma’afu of Vaini and Tokomololo.   He co-facilitates the Mana Moana programme for Leadership NZ and is on the boards of Fonua Ola, Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association and Chairman of Auckland Museum’s Pacific Advisory Group. 

On Monday this week For the first time ever a Turou and Ava blessing ceremony was held at the New Zealand parliament for new Pasifika MPs.  The Moana Pasefika team held a kava ceremony and the opening of the leadup to game against the Maori All Blacks and kava ceremony was part of the opening of Auckland Museum’s Atrium.   Pakilau Manase Lua joins us this morning to talk about Pan Pacific cultural traditions being created and practiced in New Zealand today.