Tagata Sa’ilimalo (tagata = people or person, sa’ilimalo = pursuit of success) is a new vision of Pacific disability in Aotearoa New Zealand and also a term of identity to replace “Pacific disabled people, their families, and carers/supporters.”
Tagata Sa’ilimalo is an aspirational vision of the pursuit of success underpinned by sheer determination and sustained by the collective vitality of Pacific peoples.
Tagata sa’ilimalo are one and many. Tagata sa’ilimalo refers not only to an individual, but also to the family and community who surround them.
As members of a family collective, tagata sa’ilimalo both give and receive support. As members of the Pacific community, tagata sa’ilimalo participate in a network of people and organizations connected by shared values.
Soalaupule (shared authority) is the name of our vision in action. Soalaupule is a group decision-making process in which participants share both the decision and accountability for the outcomes. Soalaupule allows self-determination while intertwining the lives of everyone who takes part.
Advancing the voices of tagata sa’ilimalo (Pacific disabled people, their families/nofo-a-kainga, and carers/supporters/tautua soifua) in all levels of our society was further strengthened on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th July 2021, when Tōfā Mamao Collective Wellington and Christchurch social hubs were officially launched through the Valuing Lived Experience project, a collaboration between Tōfā Mamao Collective, Vaka Tautua and PIASS Trust, funded by the Ministry of Health.
The purpose of the social hubs is for tagata sa’ilimalo to advocate and promote local issues that impact their daily lives and to connect with each other as well as their natural supports within their wider community.
“Both events were very successful in bringing our Pacific disabled people and our wider Pacific community together. I was very proud to attend both events and was privileged to hear some of our Pacific disabled peoples lived experiences through their personal stories and I am convinced that our regional approach in bringing forth the local leaders that can articulate challenges and solutions for their local area is the right strategy.” said the Tōfā Mamao Collective National Executive Officer, Tunumafono Ava Fa’amoe.
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