Speakers:
Dame Teuila Percival - Consultant Paediatrician | Associate Professor | Pacific Health Leader.
Dame Teuila Percival is a New Zealand-born Sāmoan with roots in Ofu, Manu’a and Pu’apu’a, Savai’i. She is a Consultant Paediatrician at KidzFirst Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor in Paediatrics at the University of Auckland.
With over 20 years’ clinical experience, Dame Teuila is a leading voice in Pacific health, with expertise in maternal and child health, child protection, and community wellbeing. She is Co-Chair of Le Afio’aga o Aotearoa and founding Director and Board Chair of Moana Connect, a Pacific-led health and research organisation based in Māngere. Her past leadership includes roles with South Seas Healthcare Trust and the Pasifika Medical Association.
Dame Teuila was appointed DNZM in 2023 and received the QSO in 2010 for her services to Pacific communities and children.
Lesieli Oliver - Founder of Lālanga.
Lesieli was born in Tonga and moved to New Zealand. As a young child, she experienced firsthand how education can break cycles of poverty and transform lives. Her parents’ belief in the power of education fuels her mission.
Lesieli holds a master's degree focused on developing digital solutions to improve school engagement, academic achievement, and student wellbeing for Māori and Pasifika students. The Lālanga vision is to be the leader in innovative education tools that empower teachers, families, and communities, helping every child succeed and thrive through the transformative power of education.
Lesieli says “As a proud Tongan, I’m honoured to design tools and resources that make good quality education accessible to all - empowering children, teachers, families, and communities.”
