Our Mission
Aotearoa, New Zealand is a fast-growing multicultural society. As Sāmoans living in the diaspora where culture continues to evolve and change over time, our identities and places of belonging become more fluid and diverse. At La’ei we aspire to empower all generations to explore their Sāmoan heritage; strengthen cultural identity and healthy wellbeing through authentic Siva Sāmoa, sewing,
printmaking and community well-being programs.
Ua fa’atupulia le avea o Aoteaora Ni’u Sila ma nofoaga ua aumau ai ituaiga tagata ese’ese o le lalolagi. Ma o lo’o maitau pea suiga o tu ma aga a tagata lautele mai lea taimi ma lea taimi. O le naunauta’iga lea o le La’ei, ina ia fa’atāuaina e so’o se augatupulaga a tatou tū ma aganu’u fa’a-Sāmoa. Ia latou iloa ma silafia o latou fa’asinomaga, ma fa’amalosia ai pea le soifua manuia e ala lea i le a’oa’oina o pese ma Siva Fa’a-Sāmoa moni. O lo’o iai fo’i ni auaunaga e fa’alauteleina ai le tomai su’isu’i ma le lolomiina o elei ma mamanu aua la’ei matagofie mo le aiga.
Our Story
In July 2018, the newly renovated Auckland Council, Te Puke ō Tara (TPOT) Community Centre opened its doors to the community. The team, Jacqueline Puna-Teaukura, Fatima Vaaga and Fa’alafitele Zondervan Fa’alafi wanted to activate their new space by piloting a Siva Sāmoa (Sāmoan dance) program for young girls as a way to engage the 43% of Sāmoans living in Ȱtara. In August, the first pilot program started but did not go according to plan.
The TPOT team then asked Lorna (Zondervan’s wife) a Siva Sāmoa tutor for many years at the ASB Polyfest Auckland Secondary Schools Festival if she could teach instead. On October 12, 2018, ELEI Dance for girls started and became an Auckland Council, Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre programme. Named after Zondervan and Lorna’s only daughter Eleitino (aka Keren) it is also an acronym for Empower, Leadership, Excellence and Integrity.
The first class opened with 55 girls and was a huge success. In the following school terms, ELEI Dance grew exponentially to 100 girls in term two,150 girls in term three including a new location of 100 girls in Te Atatu Peninsula, West Auckland. Lorna realized at this point, it was more than just dance, but a deeper need for connection to Sāmoa culture, instilling strong cultural values and cultural identity. ELEI Dance became a community program with the Auckland Council, Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre working closely with Jessica Kelly and her team. Within 12 months, over 800 girls had completed the new program. In its popularity, a third location started in Māngere but discontinued due to the Auckland COVID 19 lockdowns.
In 2021, Elei Community Trust was established as a legal entity to secure more funding in support of its expansion plans. In 2023, the launch of new creative arts programs such as the Puletasi Women's' Sewing and Lavalava Men's Printmaking were delivered to help reduce expensive seamstress costs for families participating at the end of term showcases.
In 2024, the rebranding of ELEI Dance to La'ei (La'ei Community Trust) was necessary to reflect the new direction of La'ei into the future and its place in Aotearoa New Zealand. La'ei, a formal Sāmoan word for attire, symbolizes the clothing metaphor of 'wearing strong cultural identity and healthy wellbeing' in a multicultural society. The name La'ei encompasses the traditional Sāmoan clothing-themed names of its community programs - Elei, Mamanu, Lavalava and Puletasi.
Our Partners
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Founders and Directors
Lorna (Lotofagā, A'ufaga, Papa i Puleia & Afega) and Fa’alafitele Zondervan Fa’alafi (Sāfune, Fasito'o Tai, Apia & Faleasi'u) are passionate about Sāmoan cultural identity and serving Pasifika communities. Lorna, born and raised in Aotearoa from West Auckland is a trained Primary School Teacher, teaching 13 years in Central, South Auckland and in Sāmoa. She completed a Bachelor of Education, Primary Teaching in 2002 and a Masters in Social and Community Leadership, 2024 from the University of Auckland. Her research thesis articulates the positive influence of Siva Sāmoa on ethnic identity for second and third-generation Sāmoans living in Aotearoa. She serves as a member of the Pasifika Advisory Group at Dilworth Boys Senior School and works full time as Team Lead for the Schools & Community Liaison at MIT & Unitec. Lorna has taught Siva Sāmoa for three decades ranging from secondary schools and various communities.
Fa’alafitele Zondervan was born and raised in Samoa. A son of Methodist church ministers he has lived in different countries and understands Sāmoan culture within church contexts. He studied a Diploma in Biblical Studies at Laidlaw College. Fa’alafitele Zondervan loves to network and serve community with interest in community development and capacity building. He works full time as Place Manager for the Auckland Council Connected Communities Unit. Together, with their children Lincoln Manūmailagi and Keren Eleitino, they have lived in Manila Philippines, Suva Fiji and Sāmoa.
Operations Team
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Lorna Fa’alafi General Manager
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Millie Vai Administrator
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Keziah Vai Marketing Support
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Fa’alafitele Zondervan Fa’alafi Relationships Manager
La'ei Community Trust Board of Trustees
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Letoa Henry Jenkins Chairman
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Leali'ifano Vaiula Roberts Secretary
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Fila Fuamatu Treasurer
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Pesio Ah Honi Trustee
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Fa'alafitele Zondervan Fa'alafi Board Member
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Lorna Fa'alafi Board Member