9 Pasifika Changemakers Named in the 2026 Y25 Cohort
There are nine Pasifika young women and gender-diverse changemakers among the 25 young people recognised in the 2026 Y25 cohort, celebrating young leaders who are creating positive change in their communities, across Aotearoa and beyond.
The Y25 programme, developed by YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau, celebrates young women and gender-diverse people aged 15 to 25 who are challenging inequity, reimagining systems and building stronger communities.
This year's cohort was selected from more than 165 nominations, with recipients recognised for their work across areas including climate action, Māori and Pacific leadership, education, STEM, health, the arts, Indigenous knowledge and community development.
Here are the nine Pasifika changemakers named in the 2026 Y25 cohort.
Elsie Polosovai
Creative, Advocate & Solomon Islands Cultural Ambassador
25 | Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
Proudly connected to the villages of Dara and Vuruleke in Choiseul Province, and Bina village in Kwaio, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, Elsie is passionate about creating opportunities for Pacific girls in leadership, STEM and public life.
At the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, Elsie delivered a live science experiment to inspire young Pacific girls to see themselves in STEM. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and has been recognised through multiple scholarships and awards for her advocacy around Pacific health.
As Miss Solomon Islands Cultural Ambassador 2024–2025, Elsie has used platforms across the Pacific to champion women's health and Pacific women's experiences. She also speaks openly about colourism faced by Melanesian women and challenges post-colonial beauty standards.
Alongside her advocacy, Elsie is an actor represented by KR Actors, balancing auditions and film projects as she grows her career as a storyteller and leader.
“You don't need to have all the answers now; some experiences are just seeds that will make sense later.”
Faiesea Ah Chee
Pasifika Climate Activist, Educator & Youth Leader
23 | Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
Growing up in the villages of Fa'a'ala Palauli and Gaga'ifomauga Sasina in Savai'i, Samoa, Faiesea learnt from her grandparents that caring for people and caring for the environment go hand in hand.
Surrounded by fishermen in her family, she developed a deep love for her island, her people and the ocean. Returning to Samoa and witnessing the impacts of climate change transformed that love into a commitment to climate action.
In 2022, Faiesea became the first Pasifika representative from Auckland, New Zealand, to attend the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She later represented New Zealand at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, amplifying Pacific voices in global climate discussions.
Today, she is a teacher, using education to inspire young people to care for their communities, protect the environment and lead with purpose.
“The way you treat others, how you listen, and how you show up when things are difficult will shape you more than any achievement ever will.”
Graeson Papuni-Mclellan
Indigenous Wāhine & Youth Voice Champion
25 | Ōpōtiki / Bay of Plenty
With whakapapa connecting her to Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Samoa and Mauke, Graeson grew up surrounded by Māori and Pasifika women who embodied manaakitanga and aroha.
From the age of 10, she began her changemaker journey with the Māori Women's Welfare League, learning that leadership is grounded in service, responsibility and creating pathways for those who follow.
Graeson established the organisation's first youth membership and was elected its inaugural youth representative in 2025. She has contributed to governance, financial management and initiatives supporting local whānau, while also representing the Māori Women's Welfare League nationally and internationally.
She has presented evidence on behalf of MWWL in the Mana Wāhine claim and attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York in 2024 and 2025.
Despite navigating invisible disabilities throughout her youth, Graeson has continued to advocate for rangatahi voices and Indigenous youth leadership.
“Stand grounded in who you are. And if you’re still finding your way, look to your whenua, your whānau, your tīpuna, and the quiet voice within."
Jade Nomani
Youth & Social Justice Activist
20 | Dunedin / Ōtepoti
In 2023, Jade travelled to Timor-Leste, where she witnessed the impacts of climate change and food insecurity firsthand. Inspired by the resilience of local communities, she returned to Aotearoa determined to create change.
Jade became one of four full-time Youth Ambassadors for World Vision New Zealand, supporting the national 40 Hour Challenge, which raised more than $900,000.
She later joined the Youth Impact Foundation as its youngest presenter, delivering leadership and wellbeing workshops to students across New Zealand and Australia.
Grounded in her faith, culture and community, Jade continues to work with young people through World Vision Junior Youth Conferences and other youth initiatives.
She is currently studying Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Otago, with hopes of using sport as a tool for youth development and positive social change.
“O le ala i le pule o le tautua” — The pathway to leadership is through service.
Maia Lusia Anitele’a
Pacific Youth Advocate for Education & Storyteller
19 | Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
Growing up in South Auckland surrounded by aroha, culture, faith and resilience, Maia was also exposed to narratives that could make young Pasifika people feel their futures were already written for them.
After a challenging Year 9 and 10, she decided she would not accept that script for herself or her community.
Maia founded LeVai of Hope, a youth-led initiative creating spaces where Māori and Pasifika rangatahi feel seen, heard and emboldened. Through workshops, youth programmes and cultural identity talanoa across Aotearoa, LeVai of Hope has worked with more than 200 young people.
The young Afakasi Samoan leader is passionate about creating spaces where Pasifika youth can celebrate their identities, prioritise their mental health and dream beyond survival.
Maia is currently studying Social Sciences and Māori Media at Auckland University of Technology and is also a visual storyteller and spoken word poet.
“Continue to refine yourself & walk in the strength that you were given. You are more than anything anyone has ever told you.”
Mariner Fagaiava
Journalist, Broadcaster & Pasifika Leader
25 | Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
For Mariner, storytelling is an act of service, often expressed through the Samoan concept of “Tautua”.
Of Samoan and Tongan heritage, Mariner is a proud third-generation Tauiwi whose commitment to community has been shaped by the sacrifices of her grandparents, who migrated to Aotearoa in the 1970s.
Raised in South Auckland by a single mother, she grew up connected to the realities, strengths and complexities of Pasifika life. Those experiences helped shape her passion for storytelling and advocacy.
An award-winning journalist, broadcaster and youth advocate, Mariner uses radio, television, podcasting and digital media to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge harmful stereotypes.
As co-creator of ‘Island Roots, Auckland Ways’, alongside 2023 Y25er Allyssa Verner-Pula, and a proud transgender Pasifika leader, Mariner is committed to creating spaces where young people, particularly from Pasifika and MVPFAFF+ communities, can see themselves reflected in media, leadership and public life.
“Everything you need is already within you. You will glow brighter when you decide to put yourself first.”
Telesia Tanoa'i
Indigenous Filmmaker & Climate Justice Advocate
19 | Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara
When Telesia was just 12 years old and living in Fiji, she organised a climate strike at her school.
That experience showed her the power young people can have when they speak up together, and storytelling has since become one of the ways she advocates for the issues she cares about.
A proud Sāmoan Fijian Kiwi filmmaker, published author and TEDx speaker, Telesia is passionate about climate justice, Indigenous storytelling and language.
Her award-winning documentary Telesia 2 the World has screened at international film festivals, while she has also worked as a facilitator for the Pacific Youth Short Film Competition and is developing her career as an actress and director.
Through Poporazzi Productions and the Pacific Climate Warriors, Telesia is not only telling Pasifika stories about climate change, but helping create platforms for other cultures to share their stories too.
“The world will always have opinions, but your purpose for your life is greater than any rejection. So keep being unapologetically you.”
Orini Rokx-Taratu
Kaiako (Teacher) & Te Taiao Advocate
21 | Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara
With whakapapa connecting her to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto and Samoa, Orini was raised in Tokomaru Bay grounded in te ao Māori.
Her relationship with te taiao shaped her worldview from an early age, with the moana and whenua serving as her first teachers and mātauranga being passed down through whānau.
At 18, while training to become a teacher, Orini experienced Cyclone Gabrielle and witnessed the devastation and isolation faced by Māori communities across Te Tairāwhiti.
The experience strengthened her commitment to climate education and sharing mātauranga. She has since taken part in an Indigenous knowledge exchange with the Mapuche people of Chile and Rapa Nui and coordinated climate education kaupapa through Future Unity, a rangatahi-led initiative based in Porirua.
Now working as a Māori Advisor at Education NZ Manapou ki te Ao, Orini continues to advocate for the connection between restoring ecosystems and strengthening whānau, hapū and iwi.
“Honour your tīpuna by standing on the foundations they built, and use that strength to create pathways for the generations to come”
Y25 2026
YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau says the 2026 cohort represents a diverse range of young leadership across Aotearoa, with the 25 recipients working across climate action, Māori and Pacific leadership, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, mental health, hauora, education, STEM, the arts and sport science.
The Y25 programme provides recipients with a six-month leadership programme including mentoring, professional development, wellbeing support, media opportunities and lifelong connections through its growing alumni network.
Since launching in 2020, Y25 has celebrated 175 young women and gender-diverse changemakers, creating a national network of young leaders shaping Aotearoa's future.