Josiah was born in Dunedin into a Samoan Kiwi family which moved north to Christchurch when he was 6. His background is in authentic youth participation, and assisting Pacific and other communities to share their voices in many different spaces.
In 2018 Josiah served as the youth voice on the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. Alongside the Rata Foundation, he is also a board member of Pacific Wellbeing lead Le Va, and the Psychotherapy Board.
What motivated you to be involved with the Rātā Foundation Board?
I was motivated to be involved with the Rātā Foundation Board to share my insights as a Pasifika young person who has been blessed to grow up in this region.
What are you most passionate about supporting in the community?
I’m most passionate about supporting things in our communities that are mana enhancing. I see these projects which enhance mana, are strengths based, focus on empowering people, and are often led by people, for themselves. Whānau Ora is one awesome initiative that has this at its core.
What is one of Rātā Foundation’s greatest achievements and or projects to you?
I think one of the Rātā Foundation’s greatest achievements is supporting people and groups to collaborate so there is more impact. One example of this was in response to the Canterbury Earthquakes where we saw funding approaches which recognised the value of people working together. Two of the results were the ‘Strengthening the Youth Sector Project’ which brought together organisations working in the youth space for greater impact and, and later ‘Youth Voice Canterbury’ created to champion genuine youth led participation in our region.