Josiah was born in Dunedin into a family of Samoan, Scottish, Irish, and Polish whakapapa who moved to Christchurch when he was 6. His background is in enabling children and young people's voices in decisions about them, mental health and wellbeing policy, and historical research.
In 2018 Josiah served as a panel member of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. He is co-chair of Pacific Mental Health and Wellbeing organisation Le Va, and mental health workforce development board Te Pou, and is one of our Children's Commissioners - with Mana Mokopuna - the Children and Young Peoples Commission.
What motivated you to be involved with the Rātā Foundation Board?
I wanted to share the voices of the communities that have nurtured me as a Samoan New Zealander blessed to grow up in this region. The opportunity to support greater equity for our communities is such a privilege.
What are you most passionate about supporting in the community?
Supporting communities to remove barriers and grow stronger connections with each other so we can be there for each other in the good and hard times and enable them to thrive.
What is one of Rātā Foundation’s greatest achievements and or projects to you?
Supporting people and groups to collaborate for greater impact. One example before I was appointed to our board was in response to the Canterbury Earthquakes. Two of the results were the ‘Strengthening the Youth Sector Project’, which brought together organisations working in the youth space for greater impact, and later ‘Youth Voice Canterbury’, created to champion genuine youth-led participation in Canterbury.
Secondly, I am extremely proud of our journey to better serve those in our communities who are most in need, collaborating more deeply with tangata whenua and supporting the helpers who enable us to deepen our cultural and social connections across our communities.