The Atafu Tokelau Community Group (ATCG) is a PFL partner focused on serving the growing Tokelau community. Its workforce consists of members of the Tokelau community whose parents built and funded the hall. The majority of the employees at ATCG volunteer their time to support the work of the organisation on top of their full time day jobs.

Lead Project Manager for ATCG, Zechariah Reuelu, says he has been on a journey of realising the significance of preserving and sustaining the culture and future of the Tokelau community. Reuelu is committed to serving the Tokelau community and says it is important to provide spaces for young people to learn more about the culture.

“Our young people are predominantly New Zealand born and they’re coming in the masses and they are proud. We provide a space that paves the way for self-identity and growth and our vision today is that our current plans and models support our community’s well-being and their ways of living.”

Tufaina Faraimo, who works in education, is another important member of the Atafu Tokelau workforce. Her role in the organisation is to work with parents and children. Faraimo shed light on the Tokelau word ‘inati’ which she says is a core foundation of their organisation's work. 

“Inati ensures that everyone, from young to old, male and female, receives an equitable share of communal resources. Atafu Tokelau focuses on collectively caring for the well-being of the whole family.”

The Tokelau community in Porirua has significantly grown, with ATCG working exceptionally hard to serve the needs of their community. 

Faraimo expressed gratitude to PFL for their constant support in helping ATCG provide support to the Tokelau population in Porirua, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. With PFL’s support, ATCG was able to contact around 250 families during the Omicron lockdown. 

“PFL gave us the freedom to explore how we can creatively help our people. Now our outreach is beyond Porirua. 

They have allowed us to move with our economic development plans to create a sustainable way of living for our people.”

Reflecting on the migration of the Tokelau community to Porirua, Faraimo emphasises the need to keep their legacy going and continuing to grow and improve the livelihood of their people.

“It’s so critical for us to hold the fort for our people. The future is bright, we are aiming for sustainability and longevity so that we add quality to the lives of our people for the long haul.”